Hume Group CWA held a very successful Handicraft Day and council meeting at Junee on March 4.
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President Jenny Birtles welcomed all to the meeting, followed by the national anthem and the CWA motto.
In presenting her report Jenny acknowledged and thanked the Eurongilly members, especially those in Gundagai, who had done an outstanding job organising food and essentials for fire crews and those affected by the bushfires.
Jenny also visited Batlow with a car load of personal hygiene products, and she commented on the commendable job state executive officer Tina Billing and Batlow branch members are doing in the town's recovery.
Tina presented her final report as executive officer, endorsing all the training that is offered to the executive team, such as the governances training, which explains how and why CWA of NSW operates as it does.
In her report Tina outlined several visitors to executive meetings; firstly a visit from Elizabeth Craggs who presented information on 'Love Food Hate Waste'.
This is a small NSW department working with groups to educate and cut down food wastage.
Members have also met with Paul Francis OAM, founder and executive chairman of Humpty Dumpty Foundation.
Beginning in 1990 this organisation has raised over $30 million to assist hospitals Australia wide with neo-natal equipment, a very valuable way for branches to assist their local hospital, if needed.
Tina thanked all those who had contacted her following the Dunn's Road fire disaster, which severely impacted her home town of Batlow.
Helen Sheridan, agricultural and environment officer, briefly outlined new topics for study in 2020.
Helen mentioned the mandatory laws for quad bikes effective in October this year which have been an ongoing push from CWA.
African swine fever imposes a great risk to domestic and wild pigs, and poses an extreme bio-security threat to Australia's pig production.
NSW State Cultural Committee would like to mount a display at the state conference in Newcastle, to raise awareness of the great loss for many communities during the bushfires.
Branches may like to forward information or photos of how they assisted in their communities and an area has also been made available at the conference for branches to display publicity books.
Bellarwi branch has been very busy creating 'Raindrops,' small knitted or crocheted articles, all in blue.
These are to be forwarded to the Royal Easter Show, and will be sold for a gold coin donation to raise money for drought areas.
As Hume Group lost their beloved patron Mrs Muriel Commens in 2019, Carolyn Stephenson, Kikoira branch, moved Mrs Helen Hillyer be asked to accept this position.
Mrs Hillyer has been a member of Eurongilly branch for 74 years, and held positions as, group treasurer (three years), group president (three years), group cultural officer (one year), group representative (three years) and state vice president, (one year).
Helen graciously accepted the position as a great honour.
Narrandera member Beryl Brain judged the handicraft work.
Beryl thanked the group for inviting her to Junee and in summary told the members how important it is in finishing off items for judging.
Five branches had contributed entries and she commented on the large display of shopping bags.
Pam Brewer, Ungarie branch was first place in the shopping bag section.
Second place was Bev Norris, Bellarwi and third place Julie Carer, also Bellarwi.
Eurongilly branch members were recipients of The Land section one award.
Bellarwi won the Hume trophy.
The Grand Champion item was won by Helen Judd, Ariah Park.
President Jenny thanked Patricia Herbert, Hume Group handicraft officer, and Beryl Brain for organising such a successful day.