Esk CWA 100 Year Anniversary

 

The town of Esk, population 1641, might be tiny by metropolitan standards, however, there is nothing tiny about the activities of their branch of the Country Women’s Association which celebrated its centenary on Saturday 21^st October at a gala dinner event at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.  At its CWA Heap Street Headquarters, members have been meeting monthly for all these years, catering to a community, creating craft, fostering companionship, conviviality and that cornerstone of CWA legends, uncomplicated cooking, though the most magnificently decorated birthday cake placed prominently at the foot of stage was certainly anything but effortless.

Following a cheerful meet and greet around canapes and complimentary drinks, patrons and guests made their way to their places in this exquisitely bedecked auditorium, complete with inventive table centre pieces of vintage repurposed cups and saucers.  Subsequent to The Choir’s singing of the Australian Anthem, the CWA’s Creed, Rev. Loretta’s delivery of Grace, and a warm welcome by emcee Bruce McConnel, to some delightful ambient piano music by Jenny Ballinger, all settled back to feast on a delicious two course dinner catered for by the Toogoolawah Show Society’s Vern Doyle.

With first course finished it was on with the entertainment as members of the Esk Community Choir prepared to transport the expectant audience on a journey through the decades which have framed this CWA Centenary.  Ragtime songs from the 1920s, sentimental sounds of the war years through the timeless tunes of ‘song and dance’; 1950s, ‘60s and Broadway to the upbeat sounds of Aretha Franklin and memorable songs from musical theatre were the backdrops for some sassy, some very sweet, some downright cheeky paragons of fashion who paraded the styles of the times, all to the impeccable accompaniment by Alexis at the piano.

A delicious dessert followed these inspired performances by choir members and the drawing of some amazing raffle prizes, all interspersed with meaningful words of appreciation by dignitaries including Hon. Shayne Neumann and Mayor Graeme Lehmann.  Then who better than CWA President and dedicated 60-year member, Estelle Drynan, to deliver a walk through the rich history of the Esk CWA and acknowledge those wonderful women who have kept this organization going gangbusters into the 21^st century?

By: Sue Walker    

    

SWEETHEARTS OF SONG SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND SO MUCH MORE AT GLAMORGAN VALE

 

The heritage township of Glamorgan Vale, situated beside Black Snake Creek, 57 kilometres west of Brisbane may be pint-sized as townships go, however, there is nothing tiny about the activities of their Branch of the Country Women’s Association which celebrated its ‘ninety-plus-one’ birthday at a gala luncheon function on Thursday 29^th July.

‘Ninety- plus-one’ you may ask?  Well, you see it was that dreaded ‘C’ word which thwarted the efforts of the women of this CWA in forging ahead with their ninetieth birthday celebrations in 2020.  However, now with restrictions somewhat eased, the only ‘C’ words bandied around the exquisitely decorated country hall were community, companionship, conviviality, and cooking… the CWA’s reputation for which has become the cornerstone of legends.

And so it was that on a perfectly perfect Queensland Winter’s day, in a grand old hall which spoke of many glorious occasions in the lives of this Lockyer Valley community,  two hundred,  give or take,  gathered around long tables impeccably bedecked in blue-checks,  while the Esk Community Choir’s ‘Sweethearts of Song’, Kathleen, Susie, Carolyn, Maree, and with Lloyd on audio,  prepared to transport the expectant audience with a tribute to the sounds of the 40s,50s and 60s which included sentimental songs from the war years to the upbeat sounds of  Andrews Sisters, Supremes and a whole lot more. These interspersed with meaningful words by CWA’s President, harking back to the humble but colourful history of their organization.  There were accolades and presentations to not only long-serving members but also to a representative of the Queensland Ambulance for their immeasurable role in their service to children, a box of beautifully hand-crafted ‘teddies’, further evidence that cooking is not the only craft these delightful women possess.

Following an inspired performance by The Sweethearts, dignitaries including Somerset’s Judy Lehmann, Sean and Nicki Choat, representatives of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council and luminaries of the CWA joined with the masses to partake of a deliciously catered for lunch, no doubt utilising the tried and tested recipes from the pages of the celebrated CWA Cookbook.  The most magnificently decorated and delicious birthday cake, made by CWA’s Gail, took centre stage at the head table while some wonderful raffle prizes were presented to many lucky winners. 

Fully sated and stocked up on the arts and crafts from the gift stall, people made their way home and in passing, gave praise to The Sweethearts for their augmentation of an already entertaining afternoon.   To Colleen and her band of CWA Angels, we, the Sweethearts give our sincere thanks. For our part, special praise must go to our Carolyn who, only days prior, was horizontal in hospital having her broken ankle operated on; and to Maree, her ability to endure an annus horribilis with her husband Bill’s health challenges and now return to her place in our line-up has been truly inspirational.

By: Sue Walker