Kerri Palmer from Crisis Housing in Young speaking to CWA members with Sharon Spackman from Mission Australia Harden.

This Monday on International Women’s Day, members of the Harden CWA branch gathered to celebrate the day with two guest speakers at their monthly meeting. Sharon Spackman from Mission Australia at the Harden Office and Kerri Palmer a case worker from Crisis Accommodation Centre in Young, spoke about one very important aspect of life for women and girls. This was domestic and family violence and the different forms that violence can take, and that it is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children. As friends, family or acquaintances of victims, CWA members were provided with information earlier this week, on how they can help. This included listening, helping them to seek help, being patient and not criticising. There were a number of great questions asked from those attending and then later, a delicious afternoon tea with great discussion about the guest speakers and their talk about domestic and family violence. Women account for almost two-thirds of the NSW Government sector but only occupy 37.4 per cent of senior leadership roles in that sector. With changing career opportunities, CWA is hoping that younger rural women will become leaders that make important contributions in fields including the arts, science, health, sports, social welfare, business and politics.

Most importantly is a difference in our local community. Harden’s CWA branch was formed in 1922 and supports country women by helping to improve conditions for women and children and creating a network of support through local CWA branches. CWA has a political voice by lobbying for legislative change in various areas including domestic violence and has been involved with Domestic Violence NSW, looking at challenges for rural and regional communities in NSW. For the past three years the CWA has delivered $19 million to communities in drought affected areas through its Drought Aid Scheme. CWA also supports a number of issues that affect rural and regional communities including economic growth and resilience, sustainability in agriculture, various health and social security issues including domestic violence, healthcare costs and availability of ancillary healthcare in these areas. The Harden branch of the CWA meets every second Monday of the month at 2pm and after each meeting, members and visitors are invited to stay for afternoon tea. The branch is also running various craft workshops throughout the year including sewing, jewellery making, knitting, crochet and tatting. A flyer is available at the CWA which is open on Fridays and Saturdays between 9am and 1pm when the Co-op shop is open. There are numerous craft items for sale as well as yummy cakes, slices, jams and chutneys. The branch also has a mending and alterations service available on Fridays and Saturdays. The branch will be running various activities throughout the year and information will be provided on the Harden CWA branch’s Facebook page.