IT MAY be more than nine decades since Adelaide's Mary Warner first saw the need for a network to help isolated women in rural areas.
But the need to support regional women and families across the state is still as vital as ever, says South Australian Country Women's Association (SACWA) president Roslyn Schumann.
The organisation is celebrating its 90th birthday. And while some things have changed - from internet banking to Instagram - the message is still the same.
"SACWA also stands for Sharing and Caring With Action," said Roslyn, who has been with the association for 45 years. "But we are still helping people in need.
"In the '20s Mary realised there was a lot of isolation out there in those rural areas and she was instrumental in organising and delivering physical relief to women and families around the state.
"She would drive around and deliver books and shoes to children at school - there were boxes of goods to be given out.
"Things are different now. We have emergency aid for farmers, for example, which is all done via online banking now.
"In the '20s, news of our meetings was spread via word of mouth, or in the local newspaper. Now we have branches on Facebook, some on Instagram and many with websites.
"Our membership can be paid online and we are in the process of setting up an online shop."
Of course, one constant throughout the years is the CWA's reputation for its baking and jams.
Last year SACWA raised about $50,000 selling its scones, scone mix, jams, pickles, cookbooks and homemade meals at its Adelaide Show marquee, it's biggest annual fundraiser.
"Everyone associates us with cakes and scones," Roslyn said. "It's not that we don't love crocheting and making jams or turning out great scones - we do! But I don't think people think about WHY we do it.
We are doing it to raise funds to help people in need. That is the reason behind all those scones!
Emergency aid
From delivering baby parcels to mums in need ("it's about letting them know someone cares about them") to getting aid to families in crisis, SACWA's goal is to help "where we can, when we can" through its Emergency Aid Fund and Farmers Aid programs.
"Now we see many different issues, particularly domestic violence, mental health problems and drugs," Roslyn said.
"If someone is a domestic violence victim they may be left with bills to pay. If we can help at that home level we will. And when there's a natural disaster we have always been able to help."
Another change the organisation has seen over the decades is the demographic of its members, who Roslyn describes as a "vibrant lot".
"The numbers are looking good - we may have arrested the decline - and have just over 2000 members at the moment with a very varied age range.
"There are around 16 new evening branches, with many members aged between 40 and 60 and working."
She encourages women of all ages to join, and said there are branches in cities as well as regional areas.
"We're about fun and friendship," she said.
"It is a great feeling being part of an organisation which is so well respected by the community; that's very important and that has built up over the past 90 years."
Stephanie takes up CWA reins in NSW
WITH 8000 members at 400 branches under her control, you would think new Country Women's Association of NSW president Stephanie Stanhope might feel a bit daunted.
Instead, the Nambugga (near Bega) mum and grandmother is feeling ready for the job and keen to make a difference in the lives of people living in rural and regional Australia.
In an interview with The Senior Stephanie said she was aware of the many issues affecting women in country NSW, such as social isolation and access to health services.
"Living in a rural area myself I know what the challenges are," she said. "For example, we have a wonderful new hospital in Bega but patients still have to go to Canberra for some treatments."
The CWA is a major Australian institution. For nearly 100 years it has been a voice of, and for, women; and a driving force for the rights of rural populations.
Members have worked to set up baby health care centres, fund bush nurses, build maternity wards, hospitals and schools. They have lobbied and fund-raised and developed life-long friendships. And Stephanie believes the organisation is much the same today - it's just moving with the times.
We are getting younger members and we're growing in urban areas - there is still loneliness and isolation in the city.
"We're making our presence known; we're in the news and we're a safe place for women to come and express themselves," she said.
The organisation also has a popular virtual branch with 30 members who meet online.
Stephanie joined the Bega branch of the CWA NSW 13 years ago as treasurer when the branch was in danger of closing down if it couldn't find someone for the office.
She knows her new role is a huge and important one: there are endless challenges facing rural and regional areas, not least of which is the current drought - but she is confident in the strength of the CWA's membership throughout the state.
"We're an organisation made up of a lot of members but if we go forward with an issue, we go forward with one voice," she said.
"I've found great friendship with the women in the organisation and I'm always humbled by them."
There are CWA branches across NSW including several in city areas.
Start baking...
If all this CWA talk has got you in the mood for scones, here's a Blueberry scones recipe from the SACWA's Quick and Easy Scones book to get you started.
The no-fuss tried-and-tested recipes in this cookbook have been gathered from members across South Australia and spanning generations and is available from SACWA.
Ingredients
500g Laucke CWA Scone Mix*
1 tbsp sugar
1 punnet blueberries (washed, do not dry)
Method
Make scone mix to packet directions, adding sugar and blueberries during mixing
Knead, then rest for 5 minutes
Pat the dough out to 2.5cm thick and cut out scones
Place on tray and brush with milk - bake until golden.
Serve hot or cold, spread with butter, or jam and cream.
NOTE: You can substitute blueberries with raspberries or blackberries.
*Laucke's Countrywomen's Scone Mix is sold in most supermarkets. Thirty 30 cents from every packet sold goes to SACWA and its Emergency Aid Fund.
To contact CWA of NSW, phone (02) 8337-0200, www.cwaofnsw.org.au
To contact SACWA, phone (08) 8332-4166, www.sacwa.org.au