CWA (Axedale Branch).

CWA (Axedale Branch).
When I think of the CWA (Country Women’s Association of Australia) immediately images of gorgeous hand crafted garments displayed at agricultural shows comes to mind.
When I recently asked CWA Axedale Secretary Ann Kerr to give me some information on the group that she belongs to I was surprised at the extent and range of the community involvement of this local branch of the organisation.
‘Axedale CWA is a relatively new branch – began August 2007,’ explained Ann. ‘We currently have 10 members…[and] hold 11 meetings per year, four business meetings and seven social gatherings. We currently hold our meetings at the Axedale Tavern and stay on for dinner. We encourage new members to come and join us!
‘Our group is strongly committed to supporting our local community. For example, we have created a ‘Community Youth Award’ worth $500 which is given to the recipient at the annual Australia Day breakfast.’
This award is funded through a ‘community trading table which allows locals to trade excess fruit and vegetables.’
The CWA (Axedale branch) next trading table will be held on Saturday May 21st at the Axedale Hall (High Street) from 10am until 2pm.
As well other goods such as plants, books, and craft are also traded or sold. The branch encourages people to come and support them.
‘[As well as the youth award] we have provided aid and support to neighbouring victims of fire and flood over the past years,’ added Ann. ‘Some of our members are also involved in a local quilting group and have made numerous quilts to donate to these people.
‘Obviously we need to raise funds for…our projects. We ran a Mother’s Day competition and we are about to do an SPC fruit drive.
‘We also organize social activities, such as garden tours and pottery making, and invite guests to enjoy these experiences with us, thus promoting the fellowship of women.’
Contact Axedale CWA Secretary Ann Kerr for more information: On 54 397 367 or 0439 397 396.

WORKSHOP PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO UNIQUE LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT

<!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–>


The City of Greater Bendigo will hold the last of a series of community workshops at 6.30pm this Friday July 29 at the Bendigo Council offices for people wishing to be part of an important local history project.
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Strategy Manager, Andrew Cockerall said the ‘From the ground up’ project is a proactive approach to heritage protection in our municipality.
“This type of study is a groundwork study – typically done before an area is examined. Now, we’re doing it for the entire area of Greater Bendigo at once. This will help us to prioritise those future studies and more easily determine what heritage places are significant.
Community workshops have previously taken place in Eaglehawk, Heathcote, Bendigo, Marong, Huntly, Elmore and Strathfieldsaye. 
“These workshops have provided a great opportunity for residents to get involved, and we’ve learned so much. History isn’t just about facts and dates, its also about people. We can learn a great deal for this groundwork study from books, but only community members can tell us which places and stories are important to them.”
“The workshop taking place on Friday is an opportunity for those who may have missed the other workshops to get involved.
“When people get together and share their stories, everyone benefits. Many people think that the stories that they have or the places that were a part of their childhood aren’t important. But that’s not true! All of it has played a role in our history and developing who we are as a community.
“When completed, the report will be publicly available via the Council website and at the libraries. It will help us to plan future work so that we can protect our heritage from inappropriate future development or demolition.   It will also help organisations like schools and heritage societies by providing information for seminars, education materials, walking and driving tours, pod casts and videos, interactive maps, gallery exhibits, and so much more,” said Mr Cockerall.
Anyone who would like to attend the workshop should contact Katie Nolan on 5434 6125 email k.nolan@bendigo.vic.gov.au to confirm their attendance.
The project is being undertaken by the City of Greater Bendigo with funding assistance from the State Government’s Heritage Grants.

Bilby Secrets, Edel Wignell & Mark Jackson, (2011) Book Review

Bilby Secrets, Edel Wignell & Mark Jackson, (2011) Walker books, Hb. $29.95, ISBN 978 1921529 320

This book cleverly combines fact with fiction in a tale of the life of one Greater Bilby. Wignell covers the time when the bilby mother prepares for the birth of her baby, near escapes from predators through to the young bilby going out on his own…

Read the full review here
http://bookstove.com/children/bilbys-secrets-childrens-book-review-by-sharon-greenaway/