“A few people interested in joining the CWA popped down to speak with us,” said president Di Bazeley.  

“We are open to local women of any age, and the atmosphere within the current membership group is lovely.”

Mrs Bazeley said the Walcha chapter was 28 women strong at present, and while that is down greatly on the early days, it is a slight increase from a few years ago.

“The Walcha chapter was formed in 1925 and while we might have fewer members now, those we do have are more active than members have been in the recent past,” she said.

“We cater for isolated women and children and at the moment we are contributing to drought relief. Anything that affects country women we’re involved with.”

This year the CWA is raising awareness of a widening gap between health care services in country communities and those in metropolitan centres.

Mrs Bazeley says the ongoing erosion of health care services in rural and regional areas is one of the greatest concerns for these communities, and country people are sick of being treated like second-class citizens. 

“Seven million Australians live outside our major cities, representing a significant proportion of the nation’s population, which should count for something when governments are splitting up the health care dollars,” she said.

The group meets at 10 am on the second Wednesday of the month at the Pioneer Cottage museum and anyone interested in finding our more, or joining, can contact Mrs Bazeley or just drop in.