Ensuring adequate funding remains available to rural childhood learning centres is a top priority of Murray Group CWA.
The group held its 53rd annual conference at Tumbarumba, home of the Glen-Mannus Branch, on October 13 and it was opened by NSW past president, Elaine Armstrong.
Childhood learning services funding and the Medicare benefits payment schedule are the two main issues the association is looking to focus on said Glen-Mannus Branch president and Murray Group publicity officer Barbara Mackenzie.
“This matter was discussed and CWA will be lobbying the government to ensure adequate funding remains available to assist rural communities in this matter,” Mrs Mackenzie said.
Following Murray Group president Genevieve Knobel’s report, there was the presentation of the Schultz Cup.
This cup, for the branch with the greatest increased membership over the past 12 months was awarded to the Albury Evening branch.
Jindera won the Eleanor Hulme Trophy, for being the branch with the best average attendance over the past 12 months.
The presentation of the Zweck Trophy for being the most active branch in international work went to Jindera.
Holbrook were awarded the Lister Trophy, for having the best international report over the past 12 months.
The Rita Ross Trophy, for the most active branch over the past 12 months went to Jindera Branch.
Jindera Branch also claimed the Margaret Jelbart Award, with Mary Fiedler achieving the best floral arrangement.
State president Mrs Annette Turner was an official guest at the conference and said the association remains as important as it did decades ago.
“The aims that were set down in 1922 when the association was formed are just as relevant now as they were then and are probably more so relevant because we are losing services,” Mrs Turner said.
“We are losing those people who can watch out for us, help us and lobby for us.
“Because CWA has 10,000 members rights across the state, there are eyes and ears everywhere and they come to us with all sorts of issues.”
At state level, the association is working on several pressing issues.
“At the moment we are lobbying for the legalisation of medicinal marijuana and exclusion zones around female health centres,” Mrs Turner said.
“The far west initiative is something else we are lobbying for, which is something that involves not only people in the far west, but also a lot of people in the state,” she said.
