Not just any old scone-ference

By Bree Harding

Mar 5, 2025

Central Murray Group president Bridget Goulding, Eastern Goulburn Valley Group president Helen Sands, Victorian state president Jenny Nola, past state president and Member of Honour Helen Wall, Moira Group president Jan James and Goulburn Valley West group president Janelle Mason. Photo by Bree Harding

When most people think of the Country Women’s Association, they think of scones.

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It’s not a bad thing given the culinary staple symbolises many wonderful things: a conversation, a welcome gift, an economical way to feed folks.

“The scones are really important, but we’re so much more than scones,” CWA state president Jenny Nola said when she visited the Goulburn Valley last week.

She was in town for the Eastern Goulburn Valley CWA group conference at Shepparton East on February 28.

Six neighbouring branches converged on the footy clubrooms for a luncheon, an annual general meeting to elect new office bearers and socialising.

The latter being one of the main purposes of the association.

Goulburn Valley West member Gwen Ranson and Caniambo member Bev Wall. Photo by Bree Harding

“It’s about friendship and supporting each other,” Eastern Goulburn Valley Group president Helen Sands said.

“CWA has been in the Goulburn Valley since nearly the beginning. The Shepparton East Club is 90 years old, Dookie is 95.”

Mrs Sands, who has been president for the past two years, retained the job temporarily after last week’s conference failed to produce a successor.

Mrs Nola, whose mother, grandmother and aunties are all CWA members, joined 13 years ago when her kids were finishing their schooling.

Shepparton East CWA members Ellen Cameron and Bev Cocks. Photo by Bree Harding

She said she loved her job as state president and enjoyed visiting rural areas for their conferences, having grown up in the country.

“It’s good for the soul to get out of the city,” Mrs Nola said.

“Some of the most amazing and generous women in the world are CWA members in Victoria.”

She will attend 13 group conferences on her circuit and said she was passionate about encouraging more women to join the association.

“Loneliness is a huge issue across our state; it causes mental health issues,” Mrs Nola said.

“You don’t have to be able to craft and cook to join the CWA, you’ll get friendship.

“It’s about finding the group that fits; crafts, cooking, social issues, friendship, company — there’s a place for everybody.”

She said the CWA’s primary purpose was to support vulnerable women, children and families and had always helped communities since it was established in 1928.

The association is involved with many behind-the-scenes projects that non-members might not realise.

“Maternal child health, white lines on the roads, reflectors on trains,” Mrs Nola said, listing a few.

“We make kits for people fleeing family violence, breast cushions for women who’ve had mastectomies, chemo bags.”

Caniambo member Anne West and Shepparton East member Ruth Gledhill. Photo by Bree Harding

The CWA helps with school breakfast programs, makes meals for people doing it tough, knits beanies and scarves for the homeless, and donates towels and clothes to shelters.

“If you see us at a Bunnings sausage sizzle or a bake stall in the street, please support us, you’ll be contributing to many causes,” Mrs Nola said.

“Homelessness, food security, engaging with youth — it’s all underpinned by family violence issues that are such a scourge on society.”