ABOUT US

The Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. is an organisation based on friendship and self-development opportunities for all women, regardless of race, religion or politics. It is a volunteer organisation where women from rural and urban areas can meet as one, as Women of Australia.

The Association supports numerous charitable causes, particularly concerning women, children and families.

The Association has been involved with Government departments over several years on various short and long term programs including Problem Gambling Awareness with the Department of Human Services, Farm Succession Seminars with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. We have made submissions on behalf of members to Government about issues of concern in the areas of transport, rural education and medical services.

The Association was represented on the Victorian Centenary of Women’s Suffrage Reference Group with the Office of Women’s Policy and we also have input through the Victorian Women’s Summit conferences which reflect women’s opinions. 

The Association has administered funding provided by the Federal Government to assist people in drought declared areas of Victoria.  In 2008 and 2009 the Association administered funding provided by Woolworths to assist in drought declared areas of Victoria following their “Backing the Farmers” days.  We continue to assist victims of natural disasters, including the 2009 bushfires, with financial donations and material aid including “Pamper Packs” and recipe books.  The Association also provides Welfare and Emergency funds to help people with household and personal items in times of need. 

The Association has Educational Grants which assist members, their children, grandchildren and legal dependents to further their education through Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Scholarships.  Some scholarships are available to non-members.

Each year the Association raises funds for two selected recipients.  One is known as the Thanksgiving Fund and the other is the State Project.  In 2010 the Thanksgiving Fund is The Skin and Cancer Foundation. The 2010 State Project is Compassionate Friends Victoria.

The Association is a member of the Country Women’s Association of Australia which speaks and advocates at Federal Government level on behalf of all members.  We have representation on Breast Screen, Keep Australia Beautiful, VicRelief Foodbank, Council on the Ageing (COTA), Farmsafe Victoria, Department of Justice Consumers Forum, Travellers Aid, and Diversity Victoria (Equal Opportunity Commission).

The Association is an affiliated member of The Associated Country Women of the World, an organisation which directs material and monetary aid to those in need in Third world countries.  Our support for the children of Chernobyl and the islands in the South Pacific area includes clothing, haberdashery, school equipment, household goods and financial aid to support specific programmes.

The Association is well known for its catering and thousands of visitors to Melbourne's Royal Agricultural Society Show enjoy our hospitality.  We also provide external catering for private functions and for functions held at our beautiful bed and breakfast.

We undertake activities to cater for the variety of interests of our members including cookery, craft, public speaking, choral and drama, social issues, the environment and many others.  We are women supporting women in friendship.