Wishing all very best wishes for 2013 from the CWA of Victoria Inc International Committee.

Setting the scene for 2013

'All things International' Day - March 8th.
A luncheon to celebrate International Women's Day

• Lesley Young, member of the ACWW Agriculture Committee will share her experiences and thoughts. Lesley was previously CWA of A National President.
• Daniel Taylor, New Zealand Consul General, will speak on New Zealand, our 2013 Country of Study.
• meet up with other members interested in the International aspect of our Association.
• bookings open January 2013 - be early to avoid disappointment.

Women Walk the World
is officially an event for 2013. Start planning, let us know what you are planning and send photos.

2013 Country of Study - New Zealand/Aotearoa


  

From the ACWW/International & Community Support Committee of the Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. - Merry Xmas and our very best wishes for 2013
With 2012 almost at an end, reflections on the Year are useful before starting 2013.
It has been a very productive year.
Community Support:
members have continued to strongly supported this area in our Association- both in local areas and the South Pacific.
The projects with Corrections Victoria and another with many Maternal and Child Health nurses in various parts of the State have been of great interest and value. The knitted teddies and dolls that members sending in are just delightful.

A gift from CWA of Victoria members to a newborn.





The women of Los Palos, Timor Leste have received sewing goods and birthing kits.
A range of goods have been sent to other sister societies in the South Pacific as well.
Country of Study:
Cambodia has not only been enjoyable, especially exploring food of Cambodia, it has also been interesting. Culturally a very different country facing many challenges. 
Women Walk the World:
an event that members took to their hearts, connecting with women around the world.
UN Status of Women Network
We have been learning about the workings of this Network, linking with other like minded women's groups. Topics have included Housing affordability for women and a speaker from Stop the Traffik.

A day to reflect upon women's situation in many parts of the world, including local communities in Victoria.
Sunday November 25th - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Celebrating International Rural Women's Day

On Monday 15th October members came together for a Luncheon, reflecting upon the situation of Rural Women around the world

Peter Walsh, Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Water, was guest speaker. Robust discussions were had on a range of subjects in the areas of agriculture and water.

Minister Peter Walsh addressing the Members

State President Carol Clay, Minister Peter Walsh, Della Metzke - Convenor Agriculture & Environment Committee, Machelle Crichton Chairman ACWW/International & Community Support Committee

Day five - final day

Friday 5th September - Ruth and I set off from Bendigo on a two or so hour drive to Shepparton, where the members of Caniambo branch were the hostess branch.
On arrival at the Shepparton East Football Club rooms we were greeted by members from 19 branches: Caniambo, Pine Lodge, Yarrawonga, Myrtleford, Shepparton East, Grnahamvale, Shepparton Sunset, Youanmite, Catrandra West, Congupna, Rodney, Rushworth, CWA Potters, Dookie, Sheridan Kyabram, Murchison, Milloo, Thoona, Mooroopna. 

A lovely lunch was enjoyed with much conversation followed by Ruth's presentation and taking of questions.
Mid afternoon Ruth and I parted ways, her to head home to Dubbo, NSW, me to Gippsland. We have had 5 marvellous days, meeting many hundreds of members and friends in various locations across Victoria.
Ruth has left with me a copy of her presentation - 'A trip around the South Pacific'- introducing us to our sister societies and the work of the past few years. If anyone would like a copy, contact me via our Office.
So, a big thanks, to all tho assisted in so many ways, to all those members who came - many travelling great distances. 
                                    Regards Machelle Crichton

Day Four continued - Valda, Beulah Branch President seeing us off for our return trip to Bendigo. A lovely Dinner at June Ried's with several local CWA of Victoria member's. Great interest in the ACWW history records of the 1962 World Conference held in Melbourne.

Day Four - Meeting Members' Tour

A big day, leaving Bendigo early for a 3 or so hour drive to Beulah where members from the branches:
Beulah, Harcourt, Dunmunkle, Hopetoun, Willerabrina, Boorang, Cabbaritta (Charlton), Drung South, Murtoe, Wirrim - Birchip, Nykoria, Woomelang, Marnoo, St Arnaud came together to enjoy a celebration of ACWW International Day. Mayor of Yarriambiak Shire Council, Kylie Zander welcomed the ladies from far and wide to the area.

Jenni Turnbull, Beulah Branch Secretary, at the trade table

Eating our way around Victoria

Day Three Ruth's 'Meeting Members' Tour

Can you find Ruth?

A lovely luncheon at Umina, the CWA of Victoria Club, enjoyed by members from many branches, including Umina, Cowes, Greensborough and Donvale to name a few. CWA of Victoria State President Mrs Carol Clay, Deputy State President Ms Dorothy Coombe, National President Mrs Noela McLeod joined the members to take a tour with Ruth around the South Pacific.

Day Two - Ruth's 'Meeting Members' Tour

This morning Ruth & I set off for Traralgon, Gippsland. The sun was shining, the trip uneventful. As Ruth has not been to this part of Victoria before various towns and items of note were pointed out to her as we went along. Such as where the fires of Black Saturday crossed the highway, where the stone to build the Shrine came from, all sorts of things.
Travelling along the highway we were beeped by another vehicle - this turned out to be members travelling to the event.
We missed the turnoff to Lodge Rd so had to turn around and come back. When we arrived a member or two had their mobile phone out ready to ring us to see if we needed directions.
A room full of members and friends waved greetings to ACWW members, (including CWA of Victoria) around the world. We had to take 2 photos to fit all in. Ruth is in the midst of the group - can you see her? Members came form far and wide across Gippsland - the High Country, Omeo, Swifts Creek, Foster, Leongatha, Mirboo, Pakenham, Upper Beaconsfield, Cobains, Bairnsdale, Fish Creek and then from the Latrobe Central Group there were members from Warragul, Warragul Evening, Drouin, Drouin South, Bunyip, Moe, Maryvale, Morwell, Flynn, Callignee, Yinnar and Traralgon.

Ruth invited the members to take with her a trip around the South Pacific and meet the ladies of our sister societies.

And, of course, the food was fantastic, again lovely soup.

Thanks to the members who made this such an enjoyable and interesting day for all, special thanks to Traralgon Branch, very well done.

'Meeting Members' Tour Day One

60 or so members and friends came to the Colac CWA rooms to meet and speak with Ruth.

when we arrived the hall was quickly filling

Ruth asked those present if they had their passports and then took them on a tour of the South Pacific, introducing them to the women of our sister societies across the South Pacific, the work these women do, their interests and much more.
A lovely lunch was served, as always so much choice. The soup was devine, as were the sausage rolls, sponge and so on.

Ruth in the front with Lyn Harris behind - setting up the Technology for the 'tour' of the South Pacific.

Tomorrow it is onto Traralgon.....

Celebrating Rural Women's Day

    With the Agriculture and Environment    
           Committee we are hosting a
               A Luncheon at 'Umina' 
on Rural Women's Day, Monday 15th October,
(World Food Day follows on Tuesday)

Theme: 'Women Feed the World'.

Guest Speaker: Mr Peter Walsh, Victorian Minister for Agriculture.

Cost: $25-00   From 11-30am
Bookings are now being taken by Pam, at the Office on 9827 8971 or email Pam at cwanet@cwaofvic.asn.au
Numbers are limited so book early.
                            Look forward to seeing you.

Additional Event

'Meeting Member's' Tour Update

Due to fantastic interest the Bendigo event, Thursday 6th September, is being held at a local hall from about 5pm.

See local Group Presidents for more information.

'Meeting Members' Tour

An invitation is extended to all Members, friends and interested women to be part of the ACWW South Pacific Area President ' Meeting Members' Tour.
Ruth Shanks will, as a guest of The Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. be visiting various locations across Victoria. Ruth is looking forward to meeting you.

Itinerary

Monday 3rd September, 2012
Hostess Branch - Colac
at Colac CWA Rooms, Rae Street, Colac.
10am for 10-30 start Cost: $7-50 includes light luncheon
RSVP: by Wed. 22/8 Lyn Harris on 03 52338383 or
email lyn.harris49@bigpond.com

Tuesday 4th September, 2012
Hostess Branch - Traralgon
at Masonic Lodge, Traralgon
11-30 for 12md start Cost: $7-50 includes light luncheon
RSVP: by 24/8   B. Jarvis ph. 03 51741699 or
Joy Davis Ph 03 51741032 email rjdavis@wideband.net.au
or Jo-Ann on moore.jo-ann59@yahoo.com

Wednesday 5th September, 2012
Melbourne
A luncheon at Umina, 3 Lansell Rd, Toorak
10-30 for 11am start              Cost: $25-00
Bookings:
by Friday 24th with Pam on 03 98278971

Thursday 6th September, 2012
Hostess Branch - Beulah at Uniting Church Hall
10am for 10-30 start  Cost: gold coin donation
Catering: please bring a plate to share
RSVP: by 22nd August - Jenni on 03 53954232 email: gjturnbull@bigpond.com

Friday 7th September
Hostess Branch - Caniambo at East Shepparton Football Club Rooms
11-30 for 12md start   Cost: $7-50
RSVP: Jennifer Currie on 03 5828 9257 or
email margaret.tweddle@bigpond.com

Looking forward to meeting up with many members.

State Conference in sunny Swan Hill

The ACWW/International & Community Support Display

lots to look at and Glenys on hand to assist with many queries

The Tapa, presented by women of Tonga, to The Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. at the ACWW South Pacific Area Conference in 2011. It was a striking aspect of the display. As well there were colourful goods made in Cambodia and sold in Australia through a 'fair trade' process. There were photos of our 'Woman Walk the World' day held on 29th April, 2012 and archive material of the ACWW World Conference held in Melbourne in 1962.

Pictures can speak louder than words

See Women Walk the World page for reports and more photos - they are being loaded onto the blog as they come in.....

Many women walking and carrying water....



Walking to the Griffiths Island Lighthouse, Port Fairy
Over 50 women of branches from the South Australian border in the west to Hawkesdale in the east walked around the Island carrying containers of water to create awareness among members and the local community, displaying solidarity with women in poorer countries who have to fetch and carry water long distances for survival.
This was the first major fundraising event for the recently established Port Fairy Branch, with over 50 women participating.

At 2pm Yarrawonga/Border Branch CWA members & friends departed from the Customs House on Victorian side of traffic bridge Yarrawonga, walked across the bridge, over lake Mulwala and Murray River into Melbourne Street, Mulwala, N.S.W. around to the spectacular Weir bridge and crossed the Murray River back into Victoria, and walked to the CWA hall in Hovell St, Yarrawonga for afternoon tea. Donations recieved will be forwarded by The Country Women's Association to ACWW.

Fab Banner

getting organised at Nyora

Water is heavy

a fun way to travel at Nyora, Bass Group

setting out atNyora



Enjoying a well earned cuppa after the Walk in the CWA Hall, Yarrawonga

                   more photos and reports coming


Women Walk the World

For details of the various locations members and friends are walking on Sunday 29th April- see the Women Walk the World page.
Come and join us, all welcome
For information of events around the world check out ACWW at Facebook.

Promoting our Walk

Jenny Disney, Diamond Valley Group President, with Jerry Guirguis of Community Radio 96.5 FM Downtown

A Sell-out!!!

Have been advised that all Women Walk the World badges
have been sold!
Our first order sold out within a week, we ordered several hundred more and now they have all sold.
We must have alot of women planning to walk on the 29th.

Very well done members.....wonderful

Women Walk the World

Let the countdown start for this worldwide event.......

Many Groups and Branches across the State are participating and details of local events are being advised - see Women Walk the World page for details.

Our 'all things international' day -Thursday 8th March- International Women's Day

A fantastic day - celebrated by 50 members and guests. Stimulating conversations, women with similar interests meeting up, sharing of ideas.
Suzanne Garrett spoke on ACWW Projects around the world.
Lyn Harris, Miriam Stackhouse & Suzanne Garrett formed a panel taking questions from members on our International Work.
A delightful lunch celebrating International Womens Day.

A very full Dining Room, decorated in the Women's Movement Colours.

In the afternoon we focused on our 2012 Country of Study - Cambodia.
Mrs Bopha Lim taught us a few words of Kmher and spoke on Women in Cambodia, today and historically.

Mrs Bopha Lim, Cambodian Women's Association, addressing the gathering.

Kerrie Meehan of Fairly Cambodian bought a display of goods that she brings from Cambodia to sell. She also spoke of the projects she supports and showed the gathering a film on the development of a Children's Hospital in Cambodian.
Tim Bowman finished the day, speaking on Cambodia with Love and the Who Will Village that this project supports.

An interesting day, enjoyed by all.

Encourage, Enrich, Empower

A Day of

All things International

Thursday 8th March, 2012

Explore our connection with ACWW

          Our guest Suzanne Garret of the ACWW Project    Committee, (stopping off on her way to London for a meeting) will share her experience of ACWW, of Project selection & their management.                                                                                

A Luscious Luncheon

Celebrating International Womens Day

Purple, Green, White and now Yellow - what do these colours mean?

then a look at Cambodia 

                 Why have a Country of Study, the Kmher language - learn a few words, learn about the Who Will Village and the role of Fair Trade in raising the living standards of Cambodians.                                            

A very full day...but there is so much more...

A resource pack, a display from our ACWW archives - visit the 1962 ACWW World Conference held in Melbourne, Display of Cambodian Fair Trade Goods, luchy door prize and, of course, plenty of stimulating conversation.

                  

Venue: 3 Lansell Rd, Toorak

Time: 10am registration for 10-30 start & officially til about 3pm

(or until you have to leave and/or the talking stops)

Book Early: all inclusive cost is $50-00 branches might consider supporting a member to attend by assisting with some of the cost. 

To book ring Pam on 03 9827 5871 or              

email: cwanet@cwaofvic.asn.au