This article has been reproduced by permission. It was written by Lesley Young, National President of CWA for TFGA'S Primary Focus Magazine
On the 1st December 2006 the Federal Government gave the Country Women's Association (CWA) of Australia $2 million to help families affected by the drought. This money was distributed to the states and all gone within three weeks. In January 2007 Woolworths held a National Drought Action Day and gave the profits ($4.7 million) to CWA to be distributed to needy families in drought areas. In March 2007 the Federal Government gave the CWA a further $2 million which again was all distributed in three weeks.
Following a visit I had with the minister for Agriculture where I presented him with the facts of what it was like in drought areas of rural Australia the federal government gave us a further $8 million at the beginning of May. This money was completely used during the rest of the year, some states having more demand than others. During this time we also received donations from members of the public and businesses.
In February this year Woolworths held another Drought Action Day with the profits again coming to the CWA. This saw a total of 5.8 million and 3.9 will be used to help families.
Families in need have applied to the state office of the CWA for assistance to help pay their emergency household accounts i.e. loss of service if unpaid. Applicants receive no money, but they are eligible for grocery vouchers. Application forms and criteria have been made available from the CWA state offices and their websites. The system developed worked so well that all monies given to CWA, either through the national Office or direct to states, have been distributed in the same manner.
Government funding has also been used to provide community activities such as bus trips for children, morale boosting activities such as bush dances and sausage sizzles (including information sessions).
The distribution of funding is only part of the work that CWA members have done to help people suffering from the drought. Pamper packs have been given to the women, Christmas presents distributed to children, and dog food collected for farm dogs just to name a few. The CWA have also made contributions from their individual State emergency funds, from money that has been raised through "Tea and Scones."
On behalf of CWA I also worked with Woolworths and Landcare Australia to develop a strategy for the funds raised to be used for on-ground sustainable agriculture projects, and as a result $1.5 million has been made available through Landcare for projects to be undertaken in drought affected areas. These funds will go to individual or community group projects. Information is available from your local Landcare officer or from the Landcare website. A further $1.9 million will be available from this year's Woolworths drought day.
Last November we were successful in applying for funds from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to run a series of days for women called "Birds in the Bush". Macca (from ABC TV) traveled through drought affected areas of the eastern states and visited Tasmania at the beginning of April. CWA branches in those areas organized people and venues for him to broadcast from. He talked with families suffering from the drought and helped spread the word to the rest of Australia about the seriousness of the situation.
Tasmanian farming families have benefited from the work that CWA have been doing with many families receiving assistance with their applications, grocery vouchers and community events. More special ‘days for the women' are still to be held. We have also provided tea and biscuits when the drought bus was in the state and will again support the bus on its next visit.
The Country Women's Association in Tasmania will continue to support families in rural communities as it has done for the past 77 years. However, member numbers are dwindling. If you are interested in helping with this very important work then we welcome you to join us, there is a branch near you. Go to www.cwaa.org.au .