General News
28 November, 2025
Almost a century of service
Maryborough’s CWA branch has marked 95 years in the community.
The Maryborough branch of the Country Womens Association (CWA) is 95 years old this month, marking nearly a century of service, friendship, and community support.
To mark the occasion, Maryborough CWA hosted an event recognising the group’s long history of contribution to Maryborough and surrounding districts.
Numerous members on the day were also awarded with many decades of membership, spanning from 20 to 50 years with the organisation.
The Maryborough branch was formed in November 1930, just years after the CWA was founded, by a group of local women wanting to support other local women and children.
During that time, the group assisted local farming families to complete their harvest, made camouflage netting for soldiers in conflict and had many members enter statewide craft exhibitions, and win.
Maryborough CWA’s Carol Gifford said the Maryborough CWA hold similar traditions and activities as it did nearly a century ago, including hosting guest speakers, knitting clothes for children and babies in need and catering for local events.
“We give to organisations in ways such as knitting teddy bears, putting on functions, we can do anything,” she said.
“We have exhibitions of cooking, sewing and needle work, and it’s amazing what comes out of the woodworks, it’s some beautiful stuff. It’s wonderful just to enjoy the company of other women, we meet some lovely people.”
Ms Gifford said the kindness and intentions of members has ensured the longevity of the group, as well as enjoying each other’s company while doing so.
“I think the companionship with everyone, and the womens’ hearts, it doesn’t matter what it is, if we go and do something, we do it,” she said.
“Mainly, it’s the friendships of the women, it doesn’t matter how big or small we are. We have that friendship that makes the whole thing go round, that’s the best thing, and we have some fun, I can tell you.”
Ms Gifford said the CWA are still relevant, involved and caring members of the community, and are always welcoming new members to ensure another 95 years of the organisation can continue locally.
“We are always looking for members. It’s totally different nowadays because there are a lot of young ones working, but we still need new members convening to keep it going,” she said.