Closure of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Beechworth Branch after running for more than 80 years of contributing to the community is a huge disappointment for Beechworth CWA life member Beryl Pope, as well as all members.
A sign of the times Mrs Pope said CWA not attracting members included factors such as younger people unable to step up to due to work commitments.
“It’s very sad as we do a lot for the community and it’s a social group too that offers friendship,” she said.
“Existing members can no longer continue to undertake executive roles with the positions becoming vacant with no-one to fill them.”
Mrs Pope said it’s happening to many other community organisations relying on volunteers as well.
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“We help with natural disaster relief such as floods and bushfires especially in our region and also nationally working with other branches to help people rebuild,” she said.
Beechworth CWA president Kathryn Chivers said the local branch’s legacy of 83 years has been fantastic from its time when established during World War II until now supporting families, women and children.
Funds have been invested into the community from hundreds of fundraising stalls for a variety of projects.
“I think the Beechworth community will miss our little street stalls such as for Mother’s Day,” she said.
Ms Chivers said in giving back to the community among many contributions in the past have included projects such as grants with small scholarships for the local high school.
“We celebrated the annual International Women's Day with a lunch or dinner in the Town Hall Gardens," she said.
“We’ve also supported families in need and among those are ones affected by house fires in the district.
“We've also supported CWA branches in Lismore with the floods a few years ago and natural disaster recovery still continues by the CWA main branch in Melbourne."
Beechworth CWA also started a young cooks’ program now managed and run by the Quercus Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre.
Among other contributions to the community has been hosting the annual Australia Day celebrations in the town with other community organisations, as well as taking part in offering a free breakfast.
Ms Chivers said all CWA branches contribute towards natural disaster recovery with 20 per cent of fundraising earnings given to the CWA head office.
“In an official letter dated 9 August to the CWA head office in Melbourne we stressed how difficult the decision has been to close the branch," she said.
“Hopefully someone will take an opportunity to bring it back should there be enough interest.
"Our last meeting is 19 September when present and past members are invited to celebrate our achievements and to share memories over a lunch at 12noon at Hotel Nicholas."
CWA Victoria also works behind the scenes advocating for changes needed to government legislation among them preventing family violence.
The philanthropic organisation of women working for the welfare of women and children through representation to all levels of government, the CWA also teaches life skills.
CWA is also part of a worldwide network of city and rural women supporting women, children and families.
