The Parkes CWA Branch turned 100 this year and will be celebrating in style next weekend at their annual high tea.
There's plenty to celebrate from a rich century, the branch's only life member, Dorothy Mcdonald, reflected in the lead up to the big occasion.
Mrs Mcdonald joined Parkes CWA more than 50 years ago, following in the footsteps of her mother Jean who was a member for more than 60 years.
She wouldn't change that decision for the world.
"We held balls, the women made floats to go in the parades, there was nothing that they wouldn't do, anything to raise a dollar and they raised a lot of money over the years," Mrs Mcdonald said.
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"They had a member each year for a little while that just raised money and she became country woman of the year, and one of those was my mum. She got country woman of the year and she thought it was absolutely wonderful and I also thought it was pretty exciting."
Mrs Mcdonald said CWA did a lot of things people never knew about.
"We looked after hospitals, we looked after preemie babies, we helped Father Riley who brought boys off the street, we sent bags to Fiji for women who were having babies, we worked a lot with Rotary as well with our branch of CWA catering for Rotary for over 40 years every Monday night," just to list a few of their causes.
"We worked in preschools, we worked in primary schools we worked in high schools. We helped with girls that had a problem in school and we worked with them, but there wasn't anything that we didn't touch."
What Mrs Mcdonald enjoyed most about being apart of CWA was travelling to conferences to lobby the government and the friendships she made from around the state.
"I made lots of friends and they never forget you," she said.
Mrs Mcdonald remembers when CWA catered for the Parkes Radio Telescope.
"That was a big thing at the time, everybody was here," she said.
"I have met a lot of people, including prime ministers like John Howard, they were just ordinary people that would walk up to you as if you were royalty."
Mrs Mcdonald had held a variety of positions for her branch and for the group over the years she was a part of CWA.
In the Parkes CWA branch Mrs Mcdonald has held:
- Secretary 2006-2010
- Treasurer started prior to 1992-2018
- Councillor to group meetings
- Delegate to Group AGM
- Delegate to State Conference
- Long Service Bar presented by Ruth Shanks
- 50 years service medal and certificate
- Represented the branch at numerous functions
In the state she has held group positions including:
- President 2005-2007
- Vice President
- Treasurer 1999-2001, 2012
- Exec Rep 2003-2006, 2014-2015
- Social Secretary 2008-2011
- Cultural Officer 2020
- Junior Public Speaking Committee
- Education Grants Committee
It's getting harder for volunteer organisations to find people to take on those roles of responsibility, Mrs Macdonald acknowledged.
"Somebody's got to account for every cent that is spent and every cent that is received, I was a treasured there for 12 years and most nights I used to do all of the bookwork, but it was never a chore," Mrs Mcdonald said.
Mrs Mcdonald looks forward to celebrating the 100 years of the Parkes CWA Brach with members and supporters of CWA.
"I appreciate what CWA had done, and what I have achieved in CWA ... because you leant something everyday," Mrs Mcdonald added.
CWA welcome all to celebrate their 100 years at their annual high tea from 2pm at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday, October 26.
There will be delicious home-made goods for afternoon tea and a fashion parade for all to enjoy.
Tickets are $30 (cash only) and can be purchased from Georgie's boutique.
