Ladies from one Country Women's Association (CWA) branch brought joy the community not only to celebrate Christmas, but also a historic milestone.
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The Exeter branch commemorated a belated 75 years in the Highlands, since it opened in 1946.
It celebrated the occasion at the Exeter Village Association's Christmas party on December 16, which involved carols, food stalls, live entertainment and a visit from Santa.
Members set up an arts and crafts table, had a stall full of homemade jams, preserves, brooches, Christmas decorations and cakes, as well as a candy cane guessing competition.
"It feels really good, and what we're most pleased about is making it a village affair with the Exeter Village Association," said Exeter CWA President Fran Simons.
Fifteen women came together to establish the branch in 1946 and decided to raise funds for their own building in 1947.
The branch rooms were opened in 1955, after Frank Badgery made a donation to land to build a meeting area for women, known as a rest room.
The room was then sold to council in 2014, after the branch saw the need to find a bigger facility to accommodate the increase in membership.
The branch opened a space between the Exeter Hall and former school of arts in 2020 to commemorate the early ladies in the area.
The group's first fundraisers involved catering for a ploughing match, the Blankets for Britain appeal for the late Queen Elizabeth II's 21st birthday, and other community events.
Since then, members have supported a variety of causes locally and internationally.
One member was determined to improve the safety of horses on NSW roads, which made the branch and CWA NSW push for a statewide campaign in 2021.
Members have raised funds for Exeter Public School, supported Brigadoon, catered at the Wingello Forest Endurance Ride, and have received state awards.
The branch has also raised funds for countries in the Pacific, donated 55 kilos of fabric for a community group to create and sell items, and funded a sewing machine in Fiji.
"I like the variety of things to be interested in at the CWA," said member Pat Hughes, who is on a newly formed state forum for publicity officers.
Pat will make her way overseas to the Associated Country Women of the World conference in 2023, to meet with groups across the globe that have a united passion for their local communities.
"It's been really good, I have met a lot of people," said new member Monica Tucker, wo has enjoyed giving back to the community.
Women who are interested in joining can contact the branch's secretary Marda Shepper on 0411 167 498 or mardajeanne@gmail.com
Meetings will commence in February and take place every Wednesday from 9am to 12pm in the Exeter Hall.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
