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The Nimmitabel Branch of the COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION of NSW The first Country Women’s Association in Australia was founded in NSW in 1922. Its objectives were: To improve the conditions and welfare of country women and children, and also the educational facilities for the children. To draw women and children together, and to welcome newcomers. To support health and educational schemes. To encourage women to take an interest in handicrafts to beautify their homes. To encourage interest in other countries and promote international understanding. To be represented on other community committees. The Nimmitabel Branch of the CWA was founded in July 1928. Three members from Cooma came for its inauguration which took place at the Federal Hotel. The founding office bearers were: President : Mrs O Clark Secretary: Mrs Fraser (school teacher’s Wife) Treasurer: Mrs A Poole. Founding members included: Mrs B Campbell, Mrs D Rankin, Mrs S Tyndall, Mrs S Wilson, Mrs W Wright and others. Permission was given for the CWA rooms to be built on Geldmacher land. In 1932 the work started and was carried out by Mr Overend and the rooms were opened 25 February 1933. Items of Interest The opening credit balance in 1928 was £4.12.10 ½ equivalent to $12.24 today During the 1939-45 War the Branch was very active and frequently served afternoon tea at the CWA rooms to busloads of soldiers passing through to catch trains at Cooma Station. From 1948 a dentist from Bombala used the rooms once a fortnight for a time In 1949 before smoking was declared a hazard to heath there was a tobacco raffle. A CWA objective was to provide restrooms for mothers and children traveling long distances, and a 1951 report refers to a poster at the Nimmitabel Railway Station advertising the CWA rest rooms in Nimmitabel. 1955 saw 115 members recorded sadly no minute books found before this time. A 1952 reports refers to the Blue & Gold Ball, with country dancing and refreshments: Ladies 8/-, Gents 12/-. 1962 a quote was put for glassing in the verandah with windows £100 approx and louvers £60 was decided to be left to a later date, in 1990 this work was carried out not with louvers though due to the verandah in bad repair. In 1965 the July meeting had to be postponed because of heavy snowfalls. Also in 1965 it was decided to support the J W Seiffert Appreciation Appeal for the provision of scholarships for the Monaro Country Council District. The Branch supports, now call education grants two local and others from state. Over the years Nimmitabel children have benefited from these. In October 1966 four Nimmitabel ladies attended an afternoon tea at Cooma CWA rooms on the occasion of a visit from their Excellencies Sir Roden and Lady Cutler. In June 1967 Simplicity Patterns held a mannequin parade in the Pioneer Hall showing garments made from their patterns. 17 August 1974 the ACCW Flag passed though Nimmitabel on its 15,000 mile journey around Australia Mrs Buckmaster, Monaro Group President past it on to Nimmitabel branch President Mrs Pat Golby who pasted it on to branch International Office Mrs F Peters before it continued on its way. The book that travels with the flag was signed by these ladies as well as Deputy Shire President Cr Reg Wallace. International days have been held each year. School children were initially given prizes for the best projects on the country of study until about 1990 were the classes joined in together and a book or video was donated to the school library. In addition members and visitors have attended lunches or afternoon teas at which guest speakers discussed the country of study. Due to the polling booth being set up in the rooms in 1973 for the State Election the meeting was held in the RSL room. June 1975 meeting canceled due to heavy rain in the area. 1979 $500 dollars was raised for the Sir William Hudson Nursing Home. Still on going and the Monaro Group runs the craft stall at the fete each year. Days were given to ironing, repairing patient’s clothing until other alternatives were used. 1986 we sponsored Janelle Robinson to represent Nimmitabel in Youth of the year. Microwave cooking demonstration 1981 when microwaves were fairly new. In 1989 the ladies took over the catering of the show and then in 1993 the Red Cross came to share the load. From 1989 the CWA Playtime Center was in operation and due to the increase in children the Playtime Center moved to the pre-school in1991 until 1993 when it closed as only four of the children had not gone on to school. 1990 saw our junior member Tania Tahana win the junior section – you had to make your own garments to wear at a fashion parade. 1997 saw Mrs V Kelly with a certificate of appreciation signed by the State and Group Presidents 1998 saw us celebrate our 70th Birthday with a luncheon were we launched our cookery book and made and printed tea towels for the occasion. 2001 the Nimmitabel CWA markets started and are going today. 2003 members became stars on Big Country when a document by the ABC was being done on the state president Ruth Shanks as she did a tour of the Monaro. November 2005 the Nimmitabel CWA Crafty Belles shop opened in part of the Geldmacher House. The Cooma Correctional Center helped with fixing a bit inside and the painting ready for trading. Branch projects have included: Entertaining Senior Citizens at a Christmas party each year also have invited senior ladies to monthly meetings to celebrate their birthdays. The adoption of several Kenmore patients who were sent Christmas and birthday, cakes, gifts and cards each year. For many years the CWA helped to support the bush Nursing Association until it closed. The branch produced hand- made gifts for the Cooma Hospital, made calico dolls for hospitals. The proceeds from fundraising have been donated to charities and worthwhile projects, to name a few Emergency Fund, Nimmitabel School, Monaro High School, Heart Start, Hydrotherapy Pool, Cooma Hospital, Girl Guides, Education Grants, Bush Fire Brigade, Lake William, Nimmitabel Show also towards Prizes each year also we have had the up keep of our rooms. Handicrafts and Cooking have been displayed at group level with some going on to state. Members taking out places at state include Mrs V Kelly, Ms L Thistleton, Mrs J Tahana and junior member Reneé Parker Over the years we have had a number of "Country of the Year" entrees including Mrs J Lewis, Mrs V Kelly, Mrs M Warwick and Mrs J Tahana. A number of Members have been represented at group level including Mrs Cummins, Mrs Golby, Mrs Lewis, Mrs Burgess and Mrs Tahana. Cultural Days have been lots of fun, rehearsing skits for group and intergroup day’s junior member have been involved in some of these days. Nimmitabel CWA is part of the largest Women’s lobby group in Australia. Nimmitabel CWA celebrates 80th Anniversary Excitement abounds in Nimmitabel for the celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the foundation of Nimmitabel CWA. A party lunch is planned on Tuesday 24th June at the Country Club, where the 80th Anniversary Nimmitabel CWA Cookbook will be launched and will be for sale. Tickets for the lunch cost $15 and are still available. In July 1928, only 6 years after CWA NSW was established, three CWA members from Cooma, including Miss Merle Mould, came for the inauguration of Nimmitabel CWA at the Federal Hotel. Foundation members included many familiar local names - President: Mrs O Clark, Treasurer: Mrs A Poole (the beach road in Tathra is named after this family) Mesdames Campbell, Rankin, Tyndall, Wilson and Mrs W Wright (Neil Robinson’s grandmother) Permission was given for the CWA rooms to be built in the main street on Geldmacher land. In 1932 the work started and the rooms were opened 25 February 1933. The opening credit funds balance in 1928 was £4.12.10 ½. During the 1939-45 War, Nimmitabel CWA was very active and frequently served afternoon tea at the CWA rooms to busloads of soldiers passing through to catch trains at Cooma Station. An early Nimmitabel CWA objective was to provide restrooms for mothers and children traveling long distances, and a 1951 report refers to a poster at the Nimmitabel Railway Station advertising the CWA rest rooms in Nimmitabel. In 1955, the branch was at its heyday and 115 members were recorded. Our busy Publicity Officer, Pat Golby was very busy writing for Nimmitabel News and the Cooma-Monaro Express, reporting to the ABC in Bega and Cooma. Sadly no minute books can be located from this time. Long-standing member, Vi Kelly and Pat Golby, who joined in 1950, recall extremely busy times in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s with Nimmitabel CWA involved in many local projects including upgrading the Pioneers’ Memorial Hall. CWA fundraising for the Hall began in 1952 with a Queen of Nimmitabel competition, culminating in the Blue & Gold Ball, with country dancing and refreshments: Ladies 8/-, Gents 12/-. Pat Golby, now living at Springfield, NSW, near her daughter Dorothy, remembers Isabel Rayner, Jean and Eileen Williams, with many others, in a whirlwind of planning, advertising, cooking, sewing and decorating to launch this project which continued for some years. Mrs Golby was also involved in setting up Cultural Days with juniors, which were lots of fun, with skits, poetry and music. Esther Buckley joined in 1956 and also recalls a very lively CWA, involved in myriad activities to promote ability and confidence amongst country women and girls. Handcrafts, cooking, home-making and decoration, child rearing, meeting management and network building were valuable skills exchanged through meetings and events. Nimmitabel was frequently represented at national and state CWA conferences, which opened eyes to wider and broader experience. Dulcie Peters was another very active member and Millie Waldock was the champion with flowers and organised floral tributes for CWA Anzac Day remembrances for many years. Vi Kelly also values the chance that CWA offers for personal development, to expand your horizons, to build experience and confidence in whatever you wanted to do. She remembers involvement with Nimmitabel schools and CWA Playtime Center. Jo Denbow speaks with great joy about CWA’s involvement over 60 years with scholarships, the schools’ international project and support for families. Jo recalls CWA’s long-standing support for the Nimmitabel Show, especially catering and support for junior craft and cookery. Jeannette Tahana, daughter of Vi Kelly, recollects, "In 1988, mum and I, with my daughter Tania and other members, celebrated Nimmitabel CWA’s 70th Birthday with a luncheon where we launched our cookery book and made and screen printed tea towels with Jackie Graham, for the occasion. The cookery book is now being updated for the 80th." Jeannette is continuing Nimmitabel CWA’s strong community commitment. In November 2005, she oversaw the Nimmitabel CWA Crafty Belles shop opening in part of the Geldmacher House to sell local craft and produce on weekends and Mondays. 2008 President Lola Higgins invites all past, present and future supporters and friends of Nimmitabel CWA to join the fun for the 80th anniversary lunch to be held at the Nimmitabel Country Club on Tuesday 24 June, 2008, at 12 noon. For tickets, please contact ………. Authorised by President CWA Nimmitabel, Lola Higgins Prepared by Marjory Kobold For information contact: Lola Higgins From Peter Goed - <petergoed-at-optushome-com-au> My mother, Ans Goed, became involved in the CWA and Red Cross, as well as the Cooma Ambulance Auxiliary. As secretary of the Nimmitabel CWA, she built up the membership from 22 members in 1954 to 101 in 1955 and over 115 members in 1956. For this huge increase in membership (400%), the branch was awarded the Lloyd Jones Challenge Cup Perpetual Trophy, which was presented by Sir Charles Lloyd Jones to Ans Goed (branch secretary Nimmitabel C.W.A.), at the C.W.A. annual conference held at the Sydney Town Hall, in 1956.
From Peter Goed - <petergoed-at-optushome-com-au>
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Monaro Pioneers