Amongst the 120 official guests were World President of Associated Women of the World Ruth Shanks AM, State President of CWA of NSW Annette Turner, Central Western Group President Alana Donaldson, Patron of CWA Central Western group Gail Hayden, Cabonne Mayor Kevin Beatty and Councillor Cheryl Newsom.

Other guests came from Queensland, Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Canberra and Broken Hill.

Highlights of the afternoon included the Cavalcade of Fashion from Sydney, showing fashions from 1919 to 1939, beautiful dresses, hats and underwear.

State president of CWA of NSW Annette Turner presented Eugowra member Janet Noble with her 50-year service badge.

Patron of Eugowra Branch Shirley Heinzel, grand daughter of original member Mabel Pengilly, cut the beautifully decorated cake made by Annette Connell.

History of Eugowra CWA as given at 90th celebrations by Janet Noble

In 1922 the CWA of NSW was formed at the Bushman’s conference held in conjunction with the RAS in Sydney.

It was initiated by Florence Gordon (the only woman architect in Sydney) and Dr Richard Arthur MP, being inspired by Women’s institutes of Britain and Canada.

An organising committee formed including Florence Gordon and Grace Munro. The brief was to improve conditions for women on the land.

On 12th May 1928 (the same year and month as the Flying Doctor) a public meeting sponsored by Canowindra Branch of CWA was held at Imperial meeting room (back of the picture theatre, now supermarket).

Amongst the 30 women present were Mrs Pengilly and Alford, Noble, Welsh and Douglas, whose decedents still live here at Eugowra.

Mrs Fannie Beatrice O’Neill was elected the first president, I am pleased to say Knox O’Neill her grandson is here with us today.

Mrs Mabel Pengilly was the grandmother of our present member and Patron Shirly Heinzel nee Pengilly.

Also a founding member was Nan Alford nee Noble, she was followed by Isobel Noble, a life member, then myself and now my daughter-in-law Libby Noble. Her two daughters are junior members, so there is a continuing family connection here today, to celebrate 90 years of CWA’s service to country women.

By 1930, sponsored by Mr Lou Mallick, the Eugowra Branch had a maternity hospital up and running. It was  officially opened on February 1, 1930 by Mr E C Best MLA. You couldn’t do that today.

The nurse/midwife rented the rooms for one pound 10 a week. This hospital was used until 1948.

The first baby was born on February 1, 1930, named in honour of CWA was Campbell Walter Athol Howell.

In 1931 The Younger set was formed - closed in 1965 but an evening committee started in 1963 and went till 1969.

I am sure the CWA were very busy during the war years, but unfortunately these minutes are lost. Jack Kirby remembers the CWA making camouflage netting.

The minutes from 1955 to 1949 are also missing.

If anyone has any knowledge where they may be, we would love to know.

In 1954 the temporary baby health centre was opened in premises owned by Mr Matteson in Pye St.

David Noble was the first baby to visit and was given a silver teaspoon to commemorate the occasion.

Our present meeting room was opened in 1956 as a baby health centre.

It was also used as a surgery for visiting doctors and community nurses, until the MPS was opened in 2010.

The back room was added in 1990 for the community nurse.

The kitchen was renovated in 2016.

In 2008 for 80th anniversary a granite slab and time capsule were placed in front of the rooms, Janet Moxey being our special guest.

In 2003 we commenced books for babies, where books are given to new parents to encourage them to read to their children.

Baylee Tullock was the first baby to receive a book.

Each year we study a different country, this year it is Poland.

We involve the school children with competitions for best flags and brochures. We also cook and share a meal of that country.

Today our rooms are used as our meeting rooms. They are also used for community meetings, EPPA, swimming pool and more. Ninety nine per cent of our fund raising is from catering.  

CWA of NSW Head office is now located in Botany and members can get a good discount from Metro Hotels in Sydney. They have also have started a Facebook page.

Today we are a busy vibrant branch, involved with local, group and state affairs.

CWA makes localities into communities by providing social activities, educational and medical facilities.

Long may it continue.