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.