THE Country Women's Association may have a reputation of making tea and scones, but there is much more to this valuable community organisation than meets the eye.
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While people may think its just an organisation for older women in the community, that's not the case at all.
The Bathurst branch has women of all different ages and is always eager to add new members, particularly those who are a bit younger.
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President Gnia Barnier said the local CWA has always been an organisation of "thinkers, doers and cheerers", with people able to take on roles that suit their skills and lifestyle.
"Some of the ladies in this organisation have been the thinkers and doers in the past, but now they are in their reclining years and are becoming the cheerers," she said.
"... New blood in any organisation is great because they bring new interest and new ideas."
Publicity officer for the group, Tracey Phillips, is one of the newer and younger members of the Bathurst CWA.
She said joining the CWA was one of the things that she wanted to do when she retired from teaching, as it's a group of empowered women who empower each other.
In the short time she has been a member, she has seen the variety of ways women can get involved.
"Besides cooking scones and serving tea, which we do very well, we are very supportive of the community. Our branch pumps a lot of money into the community," Ms Phillips said.
"... There are so many different things that we do, it doesn't matter what you're interested in, you'll find a niche in the CWA."
In addition to catering, the CWA also attends markets, provides education grants to teenagers in the region, raises money for disaster relief, runs the Bathurst driver reviver station and supports functions in the community with the use of its hall.
The branch is also known to support community projects, like last year when the CWA donated a bench to the College Road park.
Women who are interested in finding out more about the CWA or joining the Bathurst branch are encouraged to stop by the hall at 172 Russell Street.
They can also call the secretary, Helana Donaldson, on 0438 696 789 or send a message to the CWA Bathurst Branch Facebook page.
