First 2024 meeting for the Gilgandra Evening Branch
Looking forward to a wonderful year of friendship, fellowship, and serving the community, first meeting of 2024 for the CWA’S Gilgandra Evening Branch News was held on Wednesday, February 21, at the CWA Rooms in Warren Road.
President, Rebekah Makila, welcomed members and guests after the Branch’s long Christmas break, before thanking everyone for their support at the Australia Day Breakfast, which was held in conjunction with Gilgandra Lions Club.
In more good news, the CWA involvement in the Christmas Wonderland event, was a huge success with everyone having a great time, with congratulations also to Maxine Elsom on her announcement as Gilgandra’s 2024 Citizen of the Year.
A recent highlight for the local CWA, involved members recently attending the official announcement of the successful tender for giant builder, Renascent, for construction of Dubbo’s Macquarie Home Stay Stage Two project.
The second part of the hospital accommodation facility for those from western NSW, is to be named, “The CWA of NSW Guest House”. Constructions of this wonderful resource is ready to begin and likely to be finished by late this year.
Home Stay CEO, Rod Crowfoot, recently thanked the CWA for all they do, and acknowledged the support the Association has provided over the years.
In upcoming events the local CWA Market Day is being hosted at the Tractor Pull on Easter Saturday, March 30. The Gilgandra Show in April will also include the CWA kiosk open on the Friday, April 19 for three hours and most of the day on the Saturday.
On Anzac Day, Thursday, April 25, the Laying of the Wreath will occur with a Morning Tea will at the CWA rooms also.
Members who are organising jams,cooking, and other preserves, for the CWA Kiosk at the Royal Easter Show, should have them ready for collection by Monday, March 18.
Members should also note that The Quest for Life Foundation morning tea, is a community event being held in early May.
Among the well-received reports; the International Report revealed that the country of study
for 2024, is France, with Helen presenting 10 Interesting facts about this cultural and technological power-house. These included that the world’s first artificial heart and face transplant took place in France; with the country also the world’s most-popular travel destination!
The Agricultural/ Environment Report announced that the topic of study for 2024 is that terrible biological and agricultural pest, Red Imported Fire Ants. The pathway of entry to Australia for this grave threat, is unknown, but they were first detected in Brisbane in February 2001, and it’s one of the worst invasive species to reach Australia with the ants damaging crops, robbing bee-hives, and killing newborn livestock.
The Cultural Report involved Jessica taking members into the language of France via numerous quotations with words including: “Salut”: Hi, Hello, Goodbye. ( only use it with friends and family); and “Bonsoir”: See you soon, (both formal and informal).
The Land Cookery Report discussed the Macquarie Group Land Cookery event held in Gilgandra involving Jan Young travelling from Bathurst
to judge the many delicious entries in a range of sections on the day. Rebekah, our Gilgandra CWA Cook, was also congratulated on her win with a first place for her Jaffa Marble Cake; her second in the Butter Cake; and third for the Gluten-free Whole Orange Cake.
Members will all have an opportunity to cook a sultana cake to be judged for the next meeting.
The Publicity report discussed two Zoom meetings with the Publicity Support forum with Simon Marnie, an ABC presenter, calling-in for a brief visit at the February Zoom event.
Members found his time with us to be informative about his many interviews with CWA members in the extensive area of his travels in his role with ABC Radio.
There will also be a Publicity Support Forum Webinar in March; check The Country Woman’s Magazine for details with the guest speaker, Simon Marnie.
Members will need to register prior to the Webinar to be able to participate.
All in all, it was a great first meeting for 2024, followed by a delicious supper!