Drouin CWA turns 80
More than 200 people attended the 80th birthday celebrations for Drouin CWA last week.
Special guests included CWA state president Lynette Harris, Latrobe Central Group president Wendy Earwicker, Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent, Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood and Baw Baw Shire mayor Mikaela Power.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of life membership to long time member Yvonne Tindle.
Mrs Tindle joined CWA in 1976 at Broadford Mt Piper. She joined the Drouin branch in 2003.
Mrs Tindle was group president from 1996 to 1998 and state vice president from 1999 to 2000.
At Drouin Mrs Tindle became the club’s historian and archivist.
She is also a Paul Harris fellow, a Rotary award which was presented for her work in the community.
Mrs Tindle thanked everyone for her nomination which she said was a great honour.
She said the first CWA group she belonged met at night.
“We were young mothers but we did a lot. She said she was pleased when they moved to Drouin as she was just around the corner from the CWA building.
With the assistance of life members Lorraine Kinrade and Pam Pretty, Mrs Tindle researched the history of the club which she presented to members and guests over two sections.
The branch was formed in March 1939 when Australia was on the brink of war.
Buln Buln Shire president Alex Goudie chaired a public meeting and pointed out the advantages of CWA.
A total of 60 women attended and 30 joined immediately. Jessie Goudie was president with Priscilla KJaft secretary and Anne Porter treasurer.
Hazel Porter also joined and proved to be a guiding light for the group for the next 63 years.
Mrs Kraft went on to become the first life member in 1949, joined by Mrs Goudie in 1962. Miss Porter received life membership in 1958.
At the branch’s 21st birthday Mrs Kraft presented a silver tea service and Mrs Goudie presented a leather bound visitors book. The tea service was on display at the group’s birthday celebrations while guests signed the visitors book which is still in use.
Mrs Goudie’s name was included in the register of Australian Pioneer Women which is on display at the Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach. By 1943 the group had 100 members. Within the first three years members had lobbied for a baby health centre and new public toilets.
Group members also worked hard to a kindergarten adjacent to the baby health centre.
“The branch worked towards this end and here, now in 2019, the Oak St Kindergarten is still a great asset to our community,” Mrs Tindle said.
Mrs Tindle said Miss Porter had been an organised person and a talented craftsperson and educator.
“She was to be an inspiration to others right through until her death in 2002.
Drouin members knitted socks, scarves, caps and other clothing for the Australian Comfort Fund.
“Following the cessation of hostilities, the work of Drouin CWA took a different direction and once again concentrated on bettering conditions for women and children,” Mrs Tindle said.
The branch has met in only three venues in 80 years.
Meetings began in the mechanics hall for the first 19 years, followed by the Anglican Church Hall until the clubrooms were built in 1972.
Members worked hard to raise funds for the clubrooms.
In 1984/85 members worked hard to raise funds ($6000) for a brick street stall in Main Street which was gifted to the community for the use of all groups. In 2004 as part of a street refurbishment it was replaced but retained the name of CWA Kiosk.
A bicentennial friendship quilt was made in 1988 and presented to the shire. When the shire offices were remodelled it was placed in storage but has since been returned to the CWA has is hanging in the clubrooms.
The CWA Victorian Community Support Committee endorsed the group’s June Laurel Chemo Bottle Bag project in 2017 with the Drouin branch administering and running the program.
The branch has also taken part in the Stories of Drouin project.
Membership stands at 24. “Through our membership we discover and share our talents, learn new skills, widen our network and achieve fulfilment, all while we have a lot of fun,” Mrs Tindle said.
Drouin CWA is the longest serving service club in Drouin.
“The greatest resource of this country is its people and as women we have a major part to play in setting standards of home and community life as well as in the corporate and political arenas,’ she said. Drouin Rotary Club representative Pauline Maunder congratulated the club on an amazing 80 years. She presented the club with a cake knife and splade to commemorate 40 years of catering by CWA at the Australia Day breakfast.
Mrs Harris said said CWA groups across the country had worked hard to help each other and help their communities.
“They have helped through fires, floods and droughts, they always have and they always will,” she said.
Cr Power said she had read of the group’s success in its many endeavours.
She congratulated the members on their hard work over many years and their commitment and contribution to the community.
Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent said the history of the group showed the benefit they were to the community as well as the benefit they had been to each other.
Drouin Community Bank representative Rod Dunlop said the club had achieved a great deal through war and peace.
Funds received from a bank grant were used to publish a special history and recipe book highlighting the talents of the group’s members
Mr Dunlop said the bank was proud to be a sponsor.