Yass CWA Branch celebrates its 95th birthday

Mrs Denny has been a member of the Yass CWA Branch since 1963 and she was recognised as patron last Thursday, May 16.

A special high tea was arranged to mark the branch's 95^th birthday, officially on April 12, and Mrs Denny received a special mention.

She said, "it was an honour" to be named patron, the day before her 87^th birthday.

Mrs Denny remembers when CWA was vital to rural women.

"It was the one place a country woman could be sure to come and find other country women," she said.

"When I joined I was living right out in the bush in Wee Jasper with a newborn baby.

"I would come to the CWA meetings with the baby beside me. That's what mothers did.

"It gave me company and we were a very active branch back then, we catered for weddings and political meetings," Mrs Denny said.

CWA branches were once busy places in the country. The members worked tirelessly to set up baby health care centres, fund bush nurses, build and staff hospitals, schools and rest homes. However, membership has declined over the years.

"We still have a meeting here on the first Thursday of every month but it's difficult to get young people to come along," Mrs Denny said.

"They're so busy trying to earn a living and raise their children and they haven't got time."

Mrs Denny is eager to encourage younger women to join the group.

The branch's relatively new president Brenda Phillips said she is hoping to make the branch more public.

The group still supports local schools, aged care centres and community events by organising education and citizen grants, managing tea and coffee in the park on Australia Day and the fruit trolley at Warmington Lodge, among other activities.

Visit cwaofnsw.org.au for more information.