July 2019
Dear Members
Thank you for the messages of good wishes and support I have received from you, as individual members, branches and groups. I look forward to continuing to work together with you all to encourage members, welcome new members, open new branches, provide self-development for members, develop action plans from the resolutions, and to promote the Country Women’s Association of Victoria within the community.
Last month I wrote about some of the offices I have held and referred to the first time I appeared in print in Victorian Country Woman. So, a little family history in explanation. My maternal grandfather’s sister, Great Auntie Mary, lived in Yarra Glen where she conducted a catering business, was catering officer for the church guild and the local branch of the Association. Her recipes for Christmas cake and Christmas pudding appeared in the November 2007 issue (page 3) of the magazine. Naturally, they are still used by family members today.
My mother, Elinor Scott, joined the Berwick Branch in 1933 – I have a photocopy of the page of the minutes where her name appears. Grandma (Ethel Sadlier) had worked for Mrs Sewell before her marriage and arranged for Mum to work as a housemaid at their country property before she commenced her teacher training. This is what Mum wrote for the Association history book Feisty Phoenix (page 37):
Mrs Sewell and the Children’s Nurse
My mother, before she was married in 1912, had worked as a children’s nurse for Dr (later Sir Sidney) and Mrs Sewell, caring for the eldest two of their eight children at No 4 Collins St Melbourne. She decided to visit Dr Sewell at his rooms at No 4 and see if he could advise us on some sort of work. By this time the family was living at Road’s End, Berwick, and Dr Sewell said they needed a housemaid. So, for most of 1933 I lived at Road’s End and enjoyed working for such a lovely lady. While living at Berwick I was invited to join C.W.A. by Mrs Sewell, who drove me and others to meetings. I purchased my membership badge at this time, and still have it.
Mrs Elinor Scott, Life Member Meeniyan Branch, 2006
At the time, Mrs Sewell was Group President and she, with Mrs Fraser OBE Hon. Organiser “explained the various functions of the C.W.A. and formally opened the branch” on Thursday 5 June 1933. Mrs Sewell, later Lady Alice Maud Sewell when Sir Sidney Valentine Sewell was knighted for his distinguished work in medicine, was Handicrafts and Home Industries Committee Chairman 1937–1940 and later a Member of Honour.
After a teaching career in the primary division and her marriage, Mum joined Meeniyan Branch in October 1946 and was an active member (and usually an office bearer) until her death in early June 2013. My siblings and I attended the meetings as small children and sang in the Children’s Choir for Christmas meetings. I was probably encouraged to submit the entry For the Children and I remember being pleased to see my story Daisy’s First Ball in the magazine.
My sister Jeanne was a member for some years, my sisterin-law Margaret was a member while the family lived in the district, two nieces were junior members for a period, and my sister Heather joined the ranks at the turn of the century. None of my husband Ian’s family had been members and I have not been able to persuade any, although my sister-in-law Lois has some friends who are members (mostly in Yarra Valley Group). The friendship shared within the Association is particularly noticed, and appreciated, at difficult times in life. For me, this was when Ian died in late May 2013. For another member of our branch, it was when she asked Mum to make her a small thin cushion to ease her leg pain at night.
At various times there have been photos in the magazine of generations of members from the one family – often two, sometimes three and, I think, four, just once. Perhaps it is time for another.
Hon. Organiser was the title we know now as Membership Committee Chairman. Then, as now, members worked to open new branches. In my group, we pay tribute to Mrs Murray Black. Here is her entry in the Gippsland Hills Group Presidents’ Book:
The First Group President Mrs Murray Black (1931–1933)
In 1931, Mrs M Black of Tarwin Meadows, Lower Tarwin, together with Mrs C Wilson of Foster, and Mrs Rutter of Yarram travelled many miles over South Gippsland, arousing the interest of women in the Country Women’s Association movement, which had been started in Victoria in 1928. The first meeting was held at Mrs Black’s home, when she was elected the first Group President of South Gippsland Group of C W Association. Branches were formed at Foster, Leongatha, Lower Tarwin, Meeniyan, Yarram and Yallourn. Later in the same year Mirboo North and Korumburra joined the group. For twenty-one years Mrs Black opened her house and garden one day a year for a group rendez-vous at Lower Tarwin Branch birthday meetings. At their twenty-first birthday celebration Mrs Black was presented with a Life Membership badge in appreciation of her work and loyalty. The group grew so large it quickly divided into East and West Ends and then into two groups – Gippsland Hills and South Gippsland.
Membership, of course, is not just about opening branches but mentoring, maintaining and extending the membership. The branch program is as diverse as members choose to make it. Members encourage each other as they plan syllabuses, discuss issues, take part in activities…
I don’t feel that the conductor has real power. The orchestra has the power, and every member of it knows instantaneously if you’re just beating time.
Israeli musician Itzhak Perlman
No matter whether you are new or an old team member, you need time to adjust to one another.
Chinese basketball executive Yao Ming
Looking forward to seeing you at Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show and Open House Melbourne at Umina. Thank you to those who are volunteering to make these events a success.
Linking hands in friendship…
Marion E Dewar
State President
