Last Saturday the town was invited to smell the roses – and sample some home baking – at the Country Women’s Association’s flower and art show as they marked a century worth of hard work in the community.
The local evening branch of the CWA celebrated a century of local service by colouring the Plaza Hall with all-things-floral on October 4.
The petal themed parade was put together by the Coonamble community, who built bouquets, painted petals and created quilts for the event.
Overall 120 entries by members and other local supporters were contributed for the occasion.
Tables were filled with colour and blooming with a variety of vessels containing vibrant bouquets.
Next to the hanging quilts were the canvases that lined the stage with pictures and paintings incorporating the theme into artwork.
Susan Campbell won the viewer’s choice vote for her numerous contributions of floral arrangements including a handmade ceramic vase, with Angie O’Connor and Anna Kennedy placing second and third.
The only table more crowded than floral arrangements was the morning tea.
From scones to cakes to fruit to biscuits, the CWA ladies set out a feast big enough to satisfy the whole towns’ sweet tooth.
Local flower farmer Emily Cain made a special appearance to demonstrate how to use dried flowers and other vegetation to make a colourful wreath.
Now-retro kitchenware, gadgets and photographs were also on display, where event goers could flip through the picture albums of Coonamble CWAs past members and events.
Kids were kept occupied by face painter Belinda Macalpine and a colouring-in competition.
Branch president Amanda Colwell said in the past the town cherished flower shows and the CWA were happy to bring the event back for such a celebration.
The Coonamble CWA was formed in June 1925, and targets issues posed to rural and regional towns, such as isolation and lack of facilities.
Amanda said the flower show event aimed to honour past members and their communal effort to improve the town and district.
“I think it’s just a nice tip of the hat saying, good job girls, I hope you’re proud of what we do as well,” she said
“The whole CWA of New South Wales was set up to bring health care to the country areas.”
Over the century, the CWA has been responsible for establishing child health clinics and bringing other services to the town as well as raising funds to provide much-needed equipment to the local health service.
Their work to address the needs of local women and children continues to this day.
“Nothing much has actually changed because we’re still fighting for the same things that they (early CWA members) were talking about – communications, maternal health, children’s health and safety.”
Amanda has been a member of the Coonamble CWA since 2008 and president for one year.
She was thrilled with the turnout and what it means for the association.
“It’s so encouraging to see so many younger people, and young mums with kids,” she said.
“This is really a great show of support from our members, too, that they are able to do something like this for our community.”