BY JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
“IT’S not all tea and scones,” declares Drysdale Country Women’s Association stalwart Shirley Rogerson.
The long-time committee member suggested people come and see for themselves how the group operated.
“We do lots that people don’t even know about.”
Shirley conceded that the organisation had changed significantly since its inception in 1922 – and the birth of the Drysdale branch in 1948.
“We’re starting a night group for working ladies, often younger working women or women with families,” she explained.
“There’s new groups starting in Lara and Bannockburn. The CWA has had some traditional ways and we might need to change those a little.
“That’s what the night branches are about – for those who find it difficult to come to the daytime activities.”
Shirely rattled off a few different group activities run by the Drysdale branch outside the normal perception of CWA – choir, music, drama and craft groups – “so many different things we can touch upon”.
But she was proudest of the branches’ work in supporting the community, both in-kind and through fund-raising.
The Drysdale branch alone handed over more than $4000 to charities in the past year or so, she said, with beneficiaries including McKellar Centre, Cottage by the Sea, Samaritan House, Geelong Hospital, St John of God Hospital Ann Nichol House, RSL and the CFA.
The ladies raise money with events like concerts and catering for other people’s functions, such as small weddings or birthdays.
In fact, the group’s catering convenor, at the age of 94, is a founding member and still going strong.
The craft groups put their skills to good use, knitting, crocheting and sewing to create blankets and rugs and putting together pamper packs for charitable organisations to hand out to people in need.
“It seems to us there are a lot more people in need than when we first started – more homeless, more people who need support. We try to help everyone,” Shirley said.
But not all CWA benefits were aimed outside the organisation, though, she stressed.
“The friendship is just wonderful. It gives you something to look forward to each month.
“It’s not all work – we have a lot of fun.
“We make lifelong friendships and through that there’s always support available if you’re having a down day.”
The region has 12 CWA groups, with clubrooms in Boundary Rd, East Geelong.
Shirley said more information was available by phoningher on 5253 2757 or Drysdale club secretary Joy on 5251 3696.
