Hay Country Women’s Association Branch 202 - (from left) Jodie Lugsdin, Thora Doidge, Christine Sullivan, Georgie Neill, Kay Gibbs, Cheryl Hurst, Bev Headon, Annette Smith, Sue Turley-Willament, Sue Schneider, Margaret Kearns, Sue Johnson and Tracey Headon. They are pictured outside Hay Library, which is now the home of the organisation. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Kimberly Grabham.

By Annette Smith - Hay CWA member

It’s no mean feat to stay on your feet after 90 years serving and supporting the community. Nothing fazes the Hay CWA ladies who have been working tirelessly in the background for the past 90 years to provide service to our community.

Throughout the depression and war years they kept their eye firmly on their ambition to raise money to build and equip their rest and tea rooms and infant health care centres to give country women and their families sanctuary, support and comfort. In 1936, to celebrate the coronation of Edward VIII the CWA N.S.W. Branch decided to publish the first cookery book and was followed by a successful series of recipe calendars to raise funds.

When butter and produce were scarce, Anzac biscuits and scones remained the mainstay of many country street stalls, they supplemented their income by selling raffle tickets in prize winning fruit cakes and much sought after kitchen gadgets like electric frying pans and Mixmasters. It’s hard to believe that many of our local ladies predecessors were unpicking jumpers and winding wool to make knitted balaclavas and socks for the war effort and as the CWA was the official depot to collect the sheepskins required for pelts to make the vests, gloves and slippers for the troops, by the close of the war over 40,000 vests and 24,000 other sheepskin articles had been distributed from the district and CWA headquarters in Wagga.

During floods or droughts, hardships and the boom years, the CWA stoically maintained their presence in Hay. Despite their initial years of membership blooming to 115 members then slowly shrinking over decades to almost single digit numbers at the turn of the century they are here to stay with 33 current members. Unlike some other country branches of legendary organisations and notable clubs where membership has slowly dwindled away leaving them unable to retain their presence, the CWA remain the stalwart survivors alongside and supporting their sisters in county towns and regions throughout Australia, adapting their approaches to meetings and hosting more contemporary events to keep up with current trends.

It’s 2025 and as the wheels of change have turned, the Hay Branch has a QR code and an Instagram page, a social media Facebook page, a 2Hay FM radio session with a recipe of the month and contributes to our local printed media. They support and promote events such as the public speaking competition for primary school students and provide sponsorship for school age and adult further learning. Their membership is diverse with cooks, and crafters, sewers, knitters, artists all demonstrating their strengths in teamwork and camaraderie.

They promote Land cookery and Handicraft competitions and foster their knowledge of international, cultural, and educational events. CWA distributes funds annually to local support organisations and schools, medical research and disaster relief initiatives at branch, group and state levels, and are grateful recipients of grant funding initiatives that assist them to deliver a range of projects within the community.

The infamous flower show is a biannual event, and they proudly support the Hay Show with a welcoming presence in the Tea Room in the pavilion where a weary show patron can find a hot brew and traditional scone with jam and cream.

The Hay community connect casserole days are entering their second year and the Fare and Market Day on May 10 will celebrate a very proud 90 years of achievement in Hay and district. It’s never too late to join.

Congratulations Hay CWA

“The Country Women’s Association was formed in 1922 and just 13 years later Hay joined the network of branches across NSW. As well as being a fierce advocate for regional issues, the CWA provides a valuable network for country women and an avenue for them to work to achieve real and positive change.”

Senator for NSW Perin Davey

"It is with great pleasure that I extend my warmest congratulations to the Hay Country Women's Association (CWA) on reaching the remarkable milestone of 90 years of operation. For almost a century, the CWA has been a cornerstone of our community, championing the needs of rural women and strengthening their voice. This milestone validates the passion and commitment of the women who have been part of Hay's CWA history, and I am proud to see the legacy of this incredible organisation continue to thrive. Here's to many more years of impact, friendship, and service to the Hay community." Carol Oataway – Hay Mayor

“Congratulations to Hay Country Women’s Association on such an incredible milestone.”

Helen Dalton MP - Member for Murray

From humble beginnings “Born in the brain of a man”

By Krista Schade

The Riverine Grazier has been covering the successes of the Hay CWA Branch, since its very first meeting, on April 30, 1934.

“Mrs. J. M. Spence, Mayoress, presided over a representative gathering of between 30 and 40 ladies on Monday afternoon, the object of which was to form a local branch of the Country Women's Association of New South Wales,” The Grazier reported.

“The idea of the Country Women's Association had been born in the brain of a man, the late Mr. McMillan, 'Gossip,' of 'Country Life,' who was struck with the need for better organisation and care of women's interests in the country. He recognised the hardships and dangers of the housewife and the mother in outlying districts.

“On the motion of Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Hines it was decided that a branch of the Association be formed in Hay.”

Mrs JM Spence was elected president, supported by Mesdames Hannah and Hines in the joint role of vice. Mrs. Knight was elected secretary and treasurer was Mrs TF Cook. Mrs. Hammond, president of the Hatfield branch chaired the inaugural meeting, and when she passed away two years later, the large jacaranda tree in Lachlan Street, beside the Witcombe Fountain, was planted in her honour.

Initially the branch had no special interest, but worked on a number of projects and fundraisers, before dedicating their efforts to the formation of a baby Health Clinic. The clinic found its home in a small room in the first Memorial Hall before it was destroyed by fire. The nursing sister came from Deniliquin each week on the plane, and was fully funded by Hay CWA. The clinic found a home in a room at the Hay Court House for two decades before it moved to the annex of the CWA Rooms on the site where Hay Library now sits.

In 1956, at a cost of 4000 pounds, the CWA Hall was officially opened, following ten years of planning and fundraising. The annex to house the baby health clinic was later added.

Today, CWA gatherings are held at Hay Library and the tradition of the CWA Flower Show, held every two years, continues with a display in the War Memorial Hall.

This commemorative feature proudly supported by: