DELEGATES at the 92nd Country Women's Association of NSW (CWA) annual State conference in Griffith have voted to sell the association's head office in Potts Point.
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The historic result - met by applause from the floor - was announced by Griffith City Council representative and returning officer for the election, Cherie Donaldson.
A total of 547 votes were counted; 397 yes, 142 no, and eight informal.
President Tanya Cameron said she was aware there would be "some disenfranchised" members but it was now time to put the matter behind them and look to the future.
The issue was debated behind closed doors on Tuesday morning with two delegates from each branch then to cast their votes in the election across Tuesday and Wednesday.
This has been a contentious issue for the CWA, with vigorous arguments from both sides, and a major topic of discussion during session breaks among those attending the conference.
The building houses the organisation’s head office and provides accommodation and meeting facilities for CWA of NSW members.
The costs required to bring the building up to standard were extensive and the CWA Executive had determined that it would be an extremely questionable commercial decision for the CWA of NSW to remain at its Potts Point site, according to the association.
“While the head office and the residential club has been located at the Potts Point site for a long time and it will be sad to leave the site, the “heart and soul” of the CWA are the members – not bricks and mortar,” Mrs Cameron said.
“The advocacy we do is not dependent on a building; it is based on passion, empathy, intelligence and a desire to achieve a better future for women, families and communities.”
The land value of the site will ensure the CWA of NSW can purchase a more modern office facility with lower maintenance costs and additional floors available to lease which will provide an income stream to support the organisation’s activities, she said.
Accommodation for members will be outsourced to an appropriate established accommodation provider.
Tonight delegates will end their conference, the first to be held at Griffith, with a gala dinner at the Yoogali Club.
