2020 and 2021 the years COVID changed the world and how we do things

• Fundraising – Orange Sky continued

• Knitted Care Bears for Palliative Care

• Opening of an Online Branch

• Zoom meetings started

• Continued sponsorship for young girl to attend the Country to Canberra Scholarship program

2019

• Fundraising Orange Sky

• Donations made to Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales CWA’s for their fire relief.

• Donation to Kangaroo Island following major fires

• Lobbied for the manufacturers of wet wipes etc to advertise that these products are not flushable.

2018

• Fundraising Misssiondale

• Sale of Jessie Kean Home at Snug. Donations made to Mens Shed, Playground equipment and bench seats on the Beach foreshore

• We knitted and crocheted red Poppies which were put around the grounds of Albert Hall in Launceston. This was to celebrate 100th anniversary of Armistice Day with the RSL

• A Scone-a-thon was held at the Hobart Shop and over $3000 was donated to Rural Aid

2017

• Fundraising foe Defibrillators for rural areas

• Rugs of all sizes continue to be made and donated to Aged Cared Facilities

• Bags containing reading books, pencils, colouring books, small toy donated to the Children’s wards of the hospitals.

• Hobart Show Stand and scone bar discontinued due to expense and lack of suitable venue.

• Yarn bomb project undertaken with Physio department of RHH

2016

• Continue to supply wig bags, breast cushions, IV bags and turbans for Cancer Council.

• Lobbied for better public transport in rural and remote areas of Tasmania

• Lobbied for stricter standards for all products containing button batteries

• Burnie Branch reopened.

2015

• 80th Birthday Exhibition held at the Fundraising QVMAG in Launceston

• Fundraising - Ambulance Tasmania

• Lobbied for more Palliative Beds being made available.

• Donation to the Yaloop CWA branch in West Australia after loosing their building in a fire

2014

• A survey was undertaken into all aspects of Nursing Homes in Tasmania resulting in a severe lack of staff particularly at night. The results were sent to the relevant Government department.

• Lobbied for mandatory tutorials for international drivers

• Fundraising for Ronald McDonald House.

• Towels, blankets, newspapers and bowls donated to the RSPCA

• Assistance given to families who lost their possessions in house fires.

2013

• Fundraising State Emergency Service

• Lobbied for the compulsory fitting of Roll Bars for ATV bikes.

• International celebrated with State event held at Longford

• Lobbied for better mobile phone services and black spots

• We continue to supply Little Angel Gowns to hospitals for still born babies.

2012

• Fundraising Clown Doctor

• Lobbied for a review into the Deeming rules for intergenerational transfer of farming property

• CWA in Tasmania inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Role for Women

• Trauma Teddies and Therapy Dolls continue to be donated to hospitals

• Rotunda built in Zeehan celebrating Pioneer women of Zeehan.

2011

• Fundraising Dr Leon Wescombe Memorial Fund for Cystic Fibrosis

• Parcels of sewing aids, materials, children’s books and pens continue to be sent to the Pacific Islands

• Lamingtons made for the launch of the Tasmanian Heritage Festival held at Landfall

• Soft toys and teddies continue to be donated to the Ambulance Service.

• Continued support for women’s shelters bedding, clothing, books, cooking gear, toiletries, slippers etc.

• Lobbied Government re the proposed closure of state schools particularly those in rural areas.

Project highlights from over the ten years from 2000 to 2010 included;

2010

• 75thAnniversary celebrations held around the state

• New furniture purchased for Hawley Holiday Home.

• Fundraising for Angel Flight

• Sale of Devonport Hall, donations made to Meercroft Care, Devonport Brass Band and Youth and Family focus

2009

• Funds Raised for the Fred Hollows

• Partnered with TAFE to run a Rural Women’s Project around the state

• WARM TV supported – environment, recycling, climate change

• Partnered with Farmsafe Australia to holed workshops.

• Drought support and financial assistance continues – Over 1 million dollars in the past three years

• Furniture donated to the Spurr Wing in Launceston

• National Cookbooks produced with lots of recipes from our members. The royalties fund a post graduate scholarship for healthcare worker in rural or remote area.

2008

• Fundraiser-Motor Neurone Disease

• Member of the Drought Taskforce set up by the Government. Birds in the Bush Days held to assist women in drought areas.

• Beanies, rugs, jumpers distributed through the Migrant Resource centre

• Mini Silhouette days for Breast Cancer supports

• Toiletries given to Young Women’s Shelter

• Paired with Eat Well Tasmania to prepare a Community Cooking Class.

2006 marked the 70th Anniversary of the Country Women’s Association in Tasmania.

• Raising funds and awareness for the Hearing Dogs Program and the Royal Flying Doctors Service and an awareness drive around the adverse effects of medication.

• Succession planning workshops were held funded by DAFF.

• A large donation was made to Mahili Samity in Bangladesh for their Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, equating to $6500.

• Philanthropy workshops were held for members of community organisations looking at how to apply for grants - funded by Office for Women.

• $4826 was raised for the victims of the Asian Tsunami and sent through ACWW to areas of need.

• $1679 raised for Appin Hall, a respite centre for children in the northwest of Tasmania.

• In March of 2004, we hosted the World Conference for the Associated Country Women of the World in Hobart, with over 700 people attending with participants from 41 countries. We sponsored two women from the Solomon Islands to attend this conference as delegates. Resolutions from this meeting included issues of trafficking women and children, HIV/AIDS epidemic and GM cropping. Members started to Cross Stitch 1000 bookmarks for this conference 3 years prior.

• The Zeehan branch replaced their town’s Band Rotunda through fundraising in 2004.

• We raised $8500 to assist with subsidising costs for people dealing with Lymphoedema needing treatment.

• Lally’s Rally was held at Camp Clayton for the Year of the Outback in 2003.

• The Hobart CWA Gift Shop celebrated its 60th birthday in 2002.

• Over the course of 2001 $6900 was raised to help people to access the Lymphoedema Clinic in St Mary’s. With the money being used to help subidise travel and treatment.

• Also in 2001 various personal hygiene bags were made and given to “Your Place Inc” for the homeless youth and Women’s Shelter and the Rural Women’s Day was celebrated with a trip to Bothwell.

• In 2000 we sold the CWA office in Davey Street and then purchased the current premises at 343 Elizabeth St, North Hobart.

We started the 90’s with 1900 members situated across 120 branches in Tasmania.

Project highlights from this decade included;

• In 1999, $1500 was raised for a state project to help a local PCYC to purchase a mobile sporting equipment trailer and a large birthday card was displayed in the Hobart Mall asking for donations of 70 cents to commemorate 70 years of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

• The same year in 1999 the entrecasteaux group made 40 quilts and wall hangings for the Children’s Ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital and $20,000 was donated to the community from the sale of Ella Mason.

• In 1998 donations were made to the Colombo disaster and Queensland floods and a state project was created to raise funds for the Mobile Activity Centre for Police Citizens Youth Clubs raising $1488.

• Throughout the 90’s the Cuppa for Kids project continued with 168 gifts, 6 large fruit juices, a carton of biscuits, and extra clothing and toiletries given to the Royal Derwent for Christmas over 1998.

• In 1997 National president Sylvia Laxton attended the Tasmanian CWA state conference and World President, Lyndsay Hacket-Pain visited the state. Premier Tony Rundle also presented a plaque to the Association for 60 years of service.

• In 1997 $13,700 was donated by the Ranelagh Branch from the sale of their rooms to purchase a computer operated paging system for Eldercare.

• The 60th Anniversary Celebrations were held in 1996 and this saw an exhibition called ‘Playing our Part’ launched in Hobart and travelled to Launceston and Burnie. A publication ‘Country Women Calling’ was published and a request from the Tasmanian Cancer Council was received for members to make breast cushions and prosthesis covers.

• In 1995, 60 baby parcels were distributed throughout the Queen Alexandra Hospital.

• The South Pacific Area Conference was held in Hobart in 1994, where over 200 delegates attended. $4000 was donated to help furnish the Whittle Ward - Palliative Care Unit at the Repatriation Hospital and $2000 was donated to the Northern Manor (Philip Oakden House).

• The Anzac Peace prize was awarded to the CWA of Australia in 1993 and over 200 cotton singlets were sent to Tenant Creek CWA in the Northern Territory for distribution to Aboriginal children in Mission Stations.

• In 1992, Patient Controlled Analgesia Systems, a Surgeons Chair and a Defibrillator were donated to the Heart Unit of the Royal Hobart Hospital and a donation was made to purchase timber for a training centre which was being built in Western Samoa.

• The 55th Anniversary was celebrated with a luncheon and mannequin parade in Launceston in 1991. $45,000 was raised for ten Patient Controlled Analgesia Systems and 95 Christmas gifts were donated to the Royal Derwent.

• In 1990 $11,000 was raised for State funds from Baby Quest, $500 to the Newcastle Earthquake Appeal, $2379 for ACWW coins for Friendship and the Rosebery Branch raised $4748 for their local Hospital for equipment. Members planted 10,000 trees statewide as part of Project Greenleaf.

We started the 80’s with 2580 members situated in 153 branches in Tasmania.

Project highlights from this decade included:

• In 1989, $500 was donated to both the South Pacific and Bangladesh for cyclone relief. Hundreds of knitted vests were sent to Papua New Guinea. The Magra Branch received a Bicentenary Certificate for service to the community. The Esk Valley group fostered a child in Honduras and an adoptee at St Giles.

• AGFEST began in 1988 and the CWA had a stall. 10,000 boxes of sewing aids were dispatched to Fiji, Western Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and Tonga.

• In 1987 Dr J Stewart presented the Association with the gift of a new State Presidents badge on behalf of F & W Stewart Pty Ltd.

• The 50th Anniversary of the CWA was held in 1986 and was celebrated by the way of a festive day and anniversary dinner which was held at the City Park and Albert Hall in Launceston. The CWA choir and 120 members entertained attendees. The park staff prepared a flower bed depicting the CWA badge.

• The CWAA National Conference was hosted in 1985. $1137 was donated to the ACWW Water and Sanitation and $400 to other areas in the South Pacific.

• In 1984 the CWA set up a team of ‘safety monitors’ for any dumping of hazardous products in retail outlets at the request of the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations. $11,171 was donated to more than 52 community and charitable organisations.

• The CWA became incorporated in 1983 and tea chests of handcraft articles were donated to South Australia and Victoria for the victims of bushfires.

• In 1982 the CWA conducted a Knit-a-thon/Crochet-a-thon to raise funds. Trees were planted statewide for the year of the tree.

• The CWA became affiliated with the Australian Federation of Consumer Affairs in 1981 to submit submissions to the Law Reform Commission Hearing which dealt with Privacy and Personal Information to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Welfare regarding homeless youth.

• In 1980 large donations were made for research into the Infant Cot Death Syndrome and Leukaemia. Five children were adopted through Foster Plan Australia.

Project highlights from this decade included:

• In 1979 the State Raffle raised $13,610 with the first prize being a car. $8500 was donated to outside organisations.

• A state picnic was held at Conara to celebrate Australia Day in 1978 and the Hobart Branch donated a scholarship to the Tasmanian College of Hospitality.

• Trotting meetings were held in Launceston, Hobart and Devonport in 1977 with the races being named in honour of the association and the CWA providing trophies for these races.

• In 1976 the 40th anniversary commenced with a luncheon in Launceston, a State Dinner at Wrest Point for 400 guests, Service in St David’s Cathedral, Picnic at The Gorge and an Art Exhibition at the CWA State Headquarters.

• The ACWW flag was unfurled in around 30 municipalities on its way to Perth. A donation of $1841 was given for cyclone relief in Darwin.

• In 1973 the Association joined forces with The Farmer, a weekly newspaper for men printed by the Tasmanian Farmers Federation.

• An Opportunity Shop was opened on Flinders Island in 1972.

• In 1971, the Association as a whole adopted Ward 7 at the Royal Derwent Hospital. Practical support was provided in the form of equipment and soft furnishings as well as parties and outings.

• Following the sale of excess land at the CWA Lodge, the Clarence Commission agree that the new cul-de-sac in the area be named Gilbert Place in honour of the late Ida Gilbert.

Project highlights from this decade included:

• In 1969 the new Jessie Kean Holiday Home was officially opened by the Patroness.

• The Jessie Kean Holiday Home was lost in the 1967 bushfires. 73 members lost their homes while seven members lost their lives. Aid cam in many form to the distributed by the Association from children’s clothing from the Women’s Institutes in Rhodesia to footwear and toys from New Zealand.

• The first state cookery competition was held on 1966 to help foster home industries. The 30th birthday of the Association was celebrated at a State picnic held in Ross.

• Donations made through ACWW to the Freedom from Hunger campaign in 1965 have enabled a school to be established in India.

• A postal branch was formed in the Mersey Group in 1964. This scheme is for women within the group living in isolated areas and at least 5 miles or more from an established branch, or those living in lighthouses or islands.

•In 1961 the Association owned 19 halls and restrooms and five holiday homes throughout the state,

• Gifts of food, clothing and linen and 1341 pounds were donated to the Lord Mayor’s Flood Appeal by CWA branches in 1960.

Project highlights from this decade included:

• In 1957 a 21st Birthday Cookery book was printed and the Headquarters at 68 Davey Street were funded by the sales of this.

• Members prepared the Official Supper for the State Reception lunch at Burnie and afternoon tea at Latrobe for the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1954.

• The first edition of the Esk Valley Cookery Book was published in 1950 and in 1951 the 21st Cookery Book was published. This went on to sell 10,000 copies in a period of five months.

Project highlights from this period included:

• In 1948 members made tapestries for the dining room chairs at Government House.

• The first State Craft Exhibition was held in 1945 and it held 1600 exhibits.

• Between the War years of 1939 - 1945, the CWA made 2700 camouflage nets for the Defence Force. 3000 Sheep skin vests, Slippers, Mittens and Gloves and 2215 food parcels were sent to the troops in Britain.

• At a meeting on September 17th, 1937 at Tunbridge it was made that the Association be known as the Country Women’s Association in Tasmania. The Association was accepted as a member of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

• On the 14th of February, 1936 the Association was founded in Tasmania at a meeting convened by Lady Clark, wife of His Excellency the Governor, Sir Ernest Clark at Launceston. The first Annual Meeting and State Conference was held at King’s Hall Launceston.