By Shelby Brooks
After more than 20 years, the ladies of the Pakenham Country Women’s Association (CWA) have decided to close the branch.
This is the second time the branch has shut, after the group was reopened in 1999 after a 30-year break.
Age and declining health are the main factors which have lead to the closure, current secretary Vicky Birch said.
“There are 14 members, some of these have not been coming to meetings due to age and/or ill health. Average attendance at monthly meetings has been 10 and recently some of our members indicated that they would not be renewing their membership for the coming year,” Ms Birch said.
“Also, several office bearers who have been in the same position for the last three years indicated that they did not wish to continue as an office bearer.”
A few members are moving to other branches in the wider area, while others are retiring from the organisation.
Ms Birch said many people felt sad about the closure.
“It’s been a difficult few years to do the fundraising, not only due to Covid-19 restrictions but some members are just not able to help and therefore it makes for a lot of pressure on the few that are able bodied,” she said.
“I’m very sorry that we will not be able to continue to support the community.”
In the CWA’s 23 years, members have collected goods for Pamper Packs, supported two students through Years 10 to 12 inclusive from Pakenham Secondary College with a $300 scholarship each year, held fundraising functions for scleroderma, Hi-County Patrol of Uniting Church, Harold-Boud Award for two students to walk the Kokoda Track, supported the Pakenham Show’s Best Cooking Exhibit and second prize Youth Under 25 section at the Cardinia Art Show.
They donated knitted and crocheted rugs to Millhaven Lodge, participated in the Pakenham Show including the Wally Wombat Trail which is now the Animal Adventure Trail, handing out choc chip biscuits one year and most recently apples.
They helped with Devonshire Teas at the Cardinia Art Show and held stalls and sausage sizzles with funds being distributed between head office and local kindergartens, SES, fire brigades, 4C’s and Angel Flight.
They even taught knitting at Pakenham Hills Primary School.
A significant moment was when they lobbied the council to establish a CWA Garden at the back of the Pakenham Library.
“That really only scratches the surface of what we have fundraised for,” Ms Birch said.
She said the group had provided many women friendships and volunteering opportunities over the years.
“I think the stumbling block is that people think they can’t join because they can’t bake or sew,” she said.
“We tried to say, just come along anyway.
“It’s about helping people, it’s that chance to make a difference. It was knowing that you’re doing something to help someone and raising those funds.”
Notably, Pakenham CWA was led for some time by Carol Clay, who went missing in Victoria’s high country in 2020.
Sadly, her remains were found in February 2022.
Ms Clay was honoured by the CWA this year with a Women Walk the World event around Pakenham’s Lakeside Lake.
This year, a special presentation was made at the Creative Arts Exhibition, run annually by the CWA West Gippsland Group, to the winner of the inaugural Carol Clay trophy, given to the exhibitor with the highest number of entries.
