Growing up in rural Australia, I remember eating scones at local fairs held by the Country Women’s Association (CWA). Much like recipes produced by The Australian Women’s Weekly, anything from the kitchens of these fabulous home cooks was, without fail, scrumptious.
In fact anything with the CWA brand on it gets a gold star stamp of approval from me and the way it has enriched our society is a source of pride for heartland Australia.
So it’s fitting that Australia Post is now celebrating the CWA with its own special stamp to commemorate 100 years of being such a vital part of our rural community.
Founded in April 1922 in New South Wales, The CWA now has more than 21,000 members nationally in more than 1,100 branches Australia-wide.
Guided by the long-standing motto “… Service to the Country, Through Country Women, For Country Women, By Country Women”, each not-for-profit association creates a support and social network for women, particularly in remote areas, advocating on key issues including access to medical and education services, and undertaking fundraising including through sales of iconic scones and cookbooks.
The new stamp was designed by Stacey Zass, and features the CWA of NSW’s foundation president, Grace Emily Munro MBE (1879–1964), who lobbied government to build and staff maternity wards, hospitals and schools, raised funds for bush nurses and a Royal Flying Doctor’s Service base at Broken Hill, and was the first woman to serve on a hospital board in rural NSW.
“The celebration of our centenary is an important milestone for our association and our members, marking 100 years of advocacy on behalf of NSW country communities and the provision of assistance across a wide variety of programs and initiatives,” says CWA of NSW President Stephanie Stanhope.
“The release of this stamp acknowledges the work of all CWAs, but as the first association, it is a particular highlight and honour for the CWA of NSW as we embark on the next 100 years of representing the interests of rural and regional NSW.”
The CWA of Queensland was founded in August 1922 and the rest of the mainland states had formed associations by 1929. A branch was created in the Northern Territory in 1933, an association began in Tasmania in 1936 and a branch formed in the ACT in 1946.
The $1.10 stamp and associated collectables are on sale from 26 April 2022 at participating Post Offices, online. Visit auspost.com.au/stamps or australiapostcollectables.com.au
