CWA of WA members praise organisation at Women of Spirit book launch at Geraldton RSL

Inspiring women from the district gathered on Monday for the launch of Country Women’s Association of WA book Women of Spirit, which commemorates the organisation’s centenary. The book, released on Friday, encapsulates 100 stories of members across the State, including nine women in the Mid West, and delves into themes facing women over the past century, such as finding an inner strength, giving generously and supporting the local community. State president Heather Allen and members Jean King, Suzanne Collingwood and Pamela Batten are featured in the book and were some of the 60 people that attended Monday’s launch at the Geraldton RSL. Ms Collingwood has been a member for more than 30 years. She said she was overwhelmed to be given a slot in the book and was proud to be part of the association. “Thinking about the 100 years we’ve been going, before the turn of the century — women didn’t even have a vote, and the World War had happened — they were really hard times,” she said. “I can’t even imagine someone living out with their husband on a farm trying to eke out a living, not seeing many other women —there probably weren’t a lot of cars.” Ms Allen has been a CWA member since 1977, when she joined the Yuna branch. She said it was a huge honour to be recognised alongside the other women in the book, and celebrated with her family by her side at the Perth launch on Friday. “Our husbands are fully supportive of us, we could never do what we’ve done without full support from our husbands and family,” she said. Joining CWA of WA opened the door to a social network with other like-minded women who can otherwise be in an isolating environment in rural WA. Ms Allen said technology has helped to bridge the gap for women in farming to be able to make connections in the community. “I married Peter and came to farm at Ogilvie in 1975 and joined Yuna (CWA) soon after. I’m not a person to play in the sun and play sport in the heat, or chase a golf ball around the golf course. So it was a big thing to be able to meet women, or meet families in the district really,” she said. Ms Batten spoke about the editorial team responsible for the book and becoming the main contact for the design. She said there was a total of 13 women in the book who have lived in the Mid West region at some point in their lives. “The editorial team know there are many more CWA legends, whose story is waiting to be told. We do hope that the storytelling will continue,” she said. Guests indulged in a delicious spread of morning tea and coffee and purchased the book for $60.