It was a record-breaking year for the Country Women’s Association of NSW last year when we sold more than 50,000 scones at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, and the challenge is on again as members from all corners of the state come together for the ultimate catering challenge.
The CWA tea room is a favourite rest and refreshment spot for the enormous crowds that flood the Sydney Showground each year at Easter for the ultimate show experience, and in 2017 the iconic site marked its 70th anniversary.
CWA members have been manning the Easter Show tea room for more than seven decades, turning out morning and afternoon teas that have become a ‘must-do’ for so many show-goers.
Isolation and a lack of health facilities were the triggers for the formation of the CWA in 1922 and in the 96 years since, the organisation has evolved into a powerful voice for rural and regional communities.
Within the first year, the association had gone from strength to strength, with the resourcefulness and determination of its members achieving great things: baby health care centres, funding for bush nurses, the building and staffing of maternity wards, hospitals, schools, rest homes, and holiday getaways for isolated country families.
In amongst this work, our tea rooms are something to be very proud of.
It’s a much-loved tradition within our ranks. While we always like to point out the CWA is much more than tea and scones, we can’t ignore our history and nor would we want to.
In addition to the CWA Tea Rooms being a show icon and institution, our presence is a hugely important part of our fundraising work.
We are often looked to in times of crisis for help, support and financial aid.
The money we raise helps support our lobbying efforts and supports initiatives such as education grants, disaster relief assistance and funding for medical research projects, as well as lending support to international aid efforts.
This year we will also be helping to highlight the Saving Lives on Country Roads campaign.
The new campaign focuses on the fact the majority of fatalities on rural and regional roads are people who live in these areas, and encourages country drivers to re-think the common excuses used to justify their behaviour on the road.
Improving safety on our country road network is something the CWA of NSW has always strongly advocated on, so the opportunity at this year’s Royal Easter Show to partner with Transport for NSW and add our voice to this important campaign is a valuable one.
Too many of our members have felt the pain of losing loved ones to road accidents, so we’ll seize any chance we can to shine a spotlight on the importance of slowing down when behind the wheel, and the dangers of fatigue and alcohol.
- Annette Turner is president of the CWA of NSW.
