Celebrating International Year of the Woman Farmer

A CWA Online Branch Update

The Country Women's Association in Tasmania Inc. turned 90 this year. That's a long time for a not for profit in these times. CWA's commitment to our community has never been stronger and it's volunteer support increasingly called upon where funding gaps struggle to meet basic needs for women, their families and the wider community throughout lutruwita. 

The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to recognise women’s vital contributions to agriculture and food security while addressing gender inequalities in agrifood systems. Thank a woman farmer in your community today!

At a time where organisations are struggling to fill volunteer roles it is ever more important for our community to back itself by rolling up our sleeves to make a contribution to society.

Yes, we are all time poor and with competing priorities and it's a juggling act to fit everything in but if not us then who? Who will fill the gaps? The need? The ability for people in our community to put food on the table for their families? So much depends on people being in service to their communities in an act of reciprocity, kindness and civic duty for the common good. Everyone has the capacity to do something useful and meaningful through formal or informal volunteering. I encourage you to reflect on your contribution to your community. 

Latrobe Council volunteer award ceremony: Lee-anne and Robyn were awarded Certificates of Recognition for Service and the Online Branch for Community Service - congrats to all!

Sometimes we need to look to the past to reimagine what the future will look like. A genuine appraisal of what has worked well, rather than what seems fashionable for the modern times can help us to embrace habits of a bygone era. A sustainability mindset of preserving, repairing including visible mending, dehydrating, hand crafts like knitting, crochet and slow fashion are all the rage now. It seems everyone is getting into "Nana Technologies", even our men folk which is fantastic!

Photo by Mojor Zhu on Unsplash

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Warmly,

Tania Brookes

President, CWA ONline Branch