CWA looks to the future

Despite sometimes heated debate among members in the weeks leading up to the conference and vote, the result - which was met with applause from the floor - was a convincing win for the pro-sale lobby.

A total 547 votes were counted to produce a 397 to 142 outcome, with eight informal votes.

State president Tanya Cameron said she was aware there would be "some disenfranchised" members as a result of the outcome but it was now time to put the matter behind them and look to the future.

During her opening address to the 650 delegates and 200 observers on Monday, Mrs Cameron said she presented her first annual report with "mixed feelings".

"There is a plan for the future but implementation by members will mean letting go of the past - something not always easy," Mrs Cameron said.

The head office building sale drew vigorous arguments from both sides, and was a major topic of discussion among those attending the conference during session breaks, and was debated behind closed doors on Tuesday morning.

Following this two delegates from each branch then cast their votes in the election held across Tuesday and Wednesday.

The NSW Land and Water Commissioner, Jock Laurie, was the keynote speaker for the opening day of the State conference - the first to be held in Griffith - during which he urged rural communities to think long and hard about their attitude to mining.

While he admitted there were some areas which should never be mined, Mr Laurie said development in a community could bring change and the challenge was to make sure that change was positive.

Delegates also voted to make Crohn's Disease again the focus of the association's health research fund annual project for 2014-15, with Mrs Cameron presenting a cheque for $34,500 to Crohn's Colitis Australia's fundraising and events co-ordinator, Lauren Mann.

The Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser Award for publicity officers was won, for the second year in a row, by Kay Beagle, Belconnen Branch.

The Republic of Botswana, located in southern Africa, will be the CWA of NSW's country of study for 2015, and next year's State conference will be held in Tamworth, at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, from May 4 to 7.

THE 92nd CWA of NSW State conference agenda was wide and varied, touching on many topics, with lengthy debate focusing on moves to introduce postal voting and a student membership concession.

The issue of postal votes - debated during a number of previous State conferences in the past decade - was raised by Queanbeyan Branch, which requested the introduction of postal voting for the election of all State office bearers.

Speaking in support of the motion, Tracey Manning, Picton Branch, said the CWA needed to "move with the times".

A number of delegates voiced concerns postal votes might reduce conference attendance, however, Mrs Manning said postal voting was unlikely to have a negative impact on attendance.

The motion was, however, again lost.

Sarah Canham, Yallaroi Branch, argued against the motion - noting she did the same in 2011 when it was last raised.

"The introduction of postal voting would be a big cost, and the suggestion a DVD be sent out with postal votes with presentations from each candidate doesn't compare with speaking in front of a room full of people," she said.

Also speaking against the motion, Sally James, Narooma Branch, said postal voting was an "unnecessary added expense" for the CWA.

She also asked how many people would complete the forms and send them back.

"Think about the NRMA voting forms which are sent out annually - how many vote then?" she said.

"Perhaps the introduction of proxy votes would be a better idea."

Past State president, Judy Richardson, Grafton Branch, pointed out a postal voting system would require outside scruitineers and could not be "done adhoc".

"That all takes time and leads to the need for preferential voting," Mrs Richardson said.

DELEGATES voted in favour of introducing a new student concession membership for young women aged 18 to 25 in a move to boost membership and longevity of the association.

The motion was moved by the Gunnedah and Canowindra Branches, and former CWA State president, Margaret Smith, Bowral Branch, was among its supporters.

Arguing against the motion, Ruth Cargill, Dubbo, said the cost of CWA membership was already low and most students would more than likely spend the cost of membership on drinks for a night out.

"It would be better to have local branches individually support those who can't afford the full membership cost," she said.

"Dubbo already has several young members, and a recent inquiry from another indicated how low the fee currently is compared to other groups and organisations."

The student concession membership rate will be set during the annual State conference, and a student concession card will be needed by those applying to prove their student status.

A NUMBER of health related motions were carried during the State conference.

Delegates called for the Medicare rebate for the use/administration of cortisone injections (with phone approval) to be reinstated; for the continued investigation into Lyme Disease in Australia, ways to contract it and diagnostic tests to be available in Australia; for homecare packages for all eligible residents living in rural, remote and regional areas to be an entitlement, and that psychogeriatric and aged care residents should not be placed in the same facility without psychiatric support.

A motion of urgency was debated on the last day, asking the CWA to hold the government to account to address the lack of affordable onsite or nearby accommodation (at the Isolated Patient Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme rebate rate) in major centres and passed unanimously.

DURING the agricultural and environmental session delegates voted unanimously twice: first, for a motion from the Goulburn Evening Branch urging the federal government to establish an agricultural fund or entity to lease rather than sell land to foreign companies or governments, and second, a motion from Richmond Branch seeking to prevent European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) being bred, rescued to be kept or rehomed into a domestic environment in any way, and that foxes be declared feral in NSW in line with other Australian States.

A motion from the Far North Coast Group to have the CWA constitution changed to include group treasurers as annual general meeting delegates - or a "suitable substitute" if they cannot attend - was carried, while a call to have the CWA add the Friendly Faces, Helping Hands Foundation to the association's fund by the Jamberoo Branch was defeated.

The State executive moved a motion, which was carried, requesting a change to Regulation 32 to include a reference to the need for written consent from a parent or guardian to allow unaccompanied minors to attend branch activities.

Pictured above: The CWA of NSW's new executive, treasurer, Kay Anderson, Cooma Branch; State State secretary, Annie Keifer, City of Sydney Branch; State vice president, Lois Stalley, Hillston Branch; State president, Tanya Cameron, Rowena Branch; State international officer, Gail Commens, Eurongilly Branch, and State vice presidents, Colleen Yates, Gloucester; Annette Turner, White Cliffs Branch, and Ruth Cargill, Dubbo Branch. State agricultural and environmental officer Julian Campbell, Warren Branch, was not present.