Copy of december 2011.pub - Lazyfish Technology

December 2011 Kangaroo Valley Voice www.kangaroovalley.nsw.au Page 8
Country Womens
Association
Kangaroo Valley Branch
by Win Palmer
THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT!
A short history of the branch and
membership as the members say farewell,
fold their tents and fade into the mists of
times past, here is the story of members and
the service they have given over time.
The branch first formed in 1927, five years
after the inaugural meeting of the Country
Women’s Association of New South Wales.
The Branch opened with 10 members as part of
the Southern Highlands Group and within a
year had a membership of 29.
It was very active during the next few years but
had to close in 1933 due to falling membership
as things changed in the Valley, during the
great depression.
It reformed in 1967 with the wife of the local
constable, Mrs Fleming, being the main mover
and shaker.
She became president of the newly formed
branch, which this time was part of
Wollondilly Group.
This is not an erudite, historical report; it is my
ideas and thoughts formed over the years from
my involvement in the branch, talking to
people and reading snips from old papers and
minute books.
Una Batty with her 90th birthday present quilt
designed by Yvonne Penson, patchworked by
members of the Kangaroo Valley branch
A proud history of community service
Thumbnails of some well known members
Gwen Nelson was a founding member in 1967
when the branch reformed and has served in
some capacity ever since.
Forty-four years of service to the community is a
long record and she has done this with a smile
and good nature in many positions over the
years.
She has served as President, Secretary (22
years!), Handicraft Officer and as Councillor to
Group. She served as a Wollondilly Group
Officer for some time and as a Vice President of
the Group.
During these years Gwen has made great
contributions to the fund raising efforts of the
branch.
Her exquisite embroidery, padded coat hangers
and crochet has sold well on stalls and her
general knowledge of local people has helped
those of us who are blow-ins to make lasting
friendships.
Gwen is now a life member of CWA and is
transferring to Nowra Branch.
Others will go to Berry Branch and to Bowral.
Many of you will remember Doris Blinman, ‘the
panther lady’. She was a great source of
knowledge of the local area to newcomers.
She regaled for hours with stories (some tall I am
sure!) of personalities in the community and the
local history.
Doris is now living at Harbison
Care on the Highlands still as
talkative but a little less mobile.
Doris was International Officer
for the branch for 20 years!!!
Doris is also a life member of the
association
Since this is a short history some
of these ‘thumbnails’ are of
departed valley residents.
Another of our long standing
members was the late Doris
Good whom many of you will
remember. She served as
President, treasurer, handicraft
and cookery officer over the
years she was a member. Doris
was a fine knitter, she made
lovely layettes for babes.
She crocheted beautiful rugs,
made lovely jams and slices and
cakes.
All these talents she used to great effect for our
street stalls and raffles to raise funds.
Several of her handicraft articles were of a
standard to enter the State competition.
As were cakes and jams.
Yvonne Penson who sadly died some years
ago, was a well loved sister too.
This lady was only a member for 10 years or
so but brought great joy to us.
She served as Treasurer, President and
Handicraft officer during her membership. Her
interpersonal skills were outstanding as she
gently poured oil on troubled waters where
personalities clashed from time to time.
Yvonne
designed
several quilts
which members
made over the
years to present
to such
facilities as
Karinya at the
David Berry
Hospital.
Her quilts were
exhibited and
entered into
competitions at
various local shows
Nancy Cochrane
Another stalwart no longer with us was Una
Batty.
This lady put many of us to shame as she
traipsed off with husband in tow to Paraguay
Christine Short (left) and Wendy Norris
at the launch of the branch Honey book
and the Antarctic!
If I can make such a trip at the age of eighty
nine I shall go down in the annals of my family
as an Amazon – even if I never visit that area
of our planet!
Una was a great example of the adage ‘One is
only as old as one feels’
At the State Conference held some years ago in
Dubbo she was still dancing when the younger
delegates from Kangaroo Valley had all
‘retired – hurt’ limping off to bed!
Gloriel Knox, yet another late member, was
our Cultural Officer for several years.
She was really good at finding interesting
places to go but her eccentricity was legend! I
recall a visit to North Rocks School (for
children with sight and hearing difficulty)
where we were to arrive at a certain time.