95 Years of the CWA Maitland Branch

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—On March 8th I had the pleasure to celebrate 95 years of the Country Women's Association Maitland Branch. The Country Women's Association [CWA] was formed in 1922 when country women were fighting isolation and a lack of health facilities. Within the first year, the Association was a unified, resourceful group that was going from strength to strength. The combined advocacy of CWA branches across the country have directly to improve conditions and welfare of women and families especially in rural areas. These improvements include seatbelts in cars, baby health centres, photos on licences, fog lines on the side of the road, school crossings, drought relief, fluro strips on trains, house numbers on side of the road for large properties, labels on prescriptions, reflective road signs, alcohol limits for drivers, missing people's photos on milk cartons and so much more. It was wonderful to celebrate with so many strong local women in Maitland on International Women's Day. Congratulations to the Country Women's Association Maitland Branch for their amazing contribution to our community.