CWA ‘home skills’ showcase

Passing on day-to-day home skills forged across generations will be the primary goal of Country Women’s Association’s exhibition in Horsham next week.

Regional CWA spokeswoman Rene Vivian said the exhibition on September 2 and 3 would provide people with an opportunity to explore skills that were slowly disappearing with passing generations.

“In the past the CWA in Horsham for example would go to schools and pass on knowledge of skills such as knitting, and this hands-on community interaction between the CWA and young people has gradually become a thing of the past,” she said.

“So members are keen to keep the door open for skills that in truth, in some circumstances, can still be pivotal to everyday living.

“We’re talking about home skills and this is everything from darning a hole in a sock or removing a stubborn stain from work clothes to producing a banquet for a family gathering and designing and maintaining a drought-proof garden with artistic trimmings.

“These abilities are often called ‘granny skills’ and the truth is they are simply skills that boys, girls, anyone can and probably should learn in a world where we’re talking more about recycling and sustainability.

“What is important and remains very much appropriate today as it ever has, is the ability to make a dollar go as a far as possible, using and re-using products where appropriate and this is what having home skills is all about.”

Mrs Vivian said the West Wimmera Group Craft Exhibition would be at Horsham CWA Hall.