Ladies show their stuff

By Shaun Inguanzo
LADIES from Dandenong and Noble Park had success at the Country Women’s Association (CWA) exhibition held in Berwick last week.
A field of up to 700 entries contested for a range of trophies at the West Gippsland CWA group’s annual exhibition, held at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick, on 26 and 27 October.
Noble Park CWA member Gael Napier scooped several prizes at the exhibition, including an individual one for cooking.
Ms Napier has been a CWA member for 10 years, and became interested in the organisation after seeing the dedication of her mother, Beverley Allan, to the group.
Ms Napier said she donated the Beverley Allan Memorial Trophy to the West Gippsland CWA group, which was collected this year by Berwick branch member and folk artist, Janet Daw.
Ms Napier said CWA events could become competitive.
“It is always a very pleasant and very friendly atmosphere, though,” she said.
“But some take it more seriously than others. Some people have a friendly rivalry, there are two sistersinlaw who have a longstanding rivalry over ginger fluff.”
Other winners at the exhibition include Margaret Murray from Dandenong CWA for Best Piece Needlework, and Cheryl Bushell from Noble Park CWA for Best Article in Canvas Work.
Berwick CWA member and event steward Mary McGrath said the CWA gave most of its exhibited goods to organisations that relied on donations.
“We have the exhibition because we like to show the public what we can do, but it is also important the public knows we are a nonprofit organisation,” she said.
“With a lot of things we make, we donate them to different charities.”
Ms McGrath said hospitals also received CWA generosity.
“We are doing some work for them in the way of helping out with clothing for premature babies.”
Anyone wanting to join the CWA in either Noble Park or Berwick can phone Ms McGrath on 9707 2020, or Ms Napier on 9795 1969.