THE aroma of freshly baked scones wafting from the small kitchen behind the main stage left no doubt the CWA was in town ready to share the very best in art, handicrafts, and home-style cooking.
The 70th annual Gippsland Hills CWA Group Handicrafts, Art, and Home Industries Exhibition left no doubt these CWA ladies and girls are still as competitive as ever.
Gippsland Hills Group President Marilyn Mackie and Meeniyan CWA member Marilyn Mackie could not be prouder of the local CWA team and just to be sure, not only did Ms Mackie take home the Elinor Scott Individual Aggregate Cup, but young Meeniyan CWA member Savanna Facey also won the Junior Aggregate award.
Not surprisingly Meeniyan also won the Branch Aggregate award with Poowong and District a close second followed by Bena with 104-year-old Bena CWA life member Betty Wilson in attendance.
The amazing variety and quality of home produce, baked goods, flower arrangements and baked goods on display was truly impressive.
Special commendations went to Kardella, Poowong and District and Woorayl branches who had every member participating in the exhibition.
Second in the Individual Aggregate Cup was Vanessa Fisher from the Meeniyan Branch and third place went to Maryke Dann of Bena who did well considering the fierce competition from Meeniyan.
Sharon Melbourne from Inverloch won Best Crochet, Lace and Handkerchiefs for her crochet rug and Best Toys and Dolls for a crocheted dressed doll, Robyn Hoekstra (Mirboo North Night Owls) Best Sewing, Patchwork, Applique and Quilts for an embroidered nightgown, June McIndoe (Meeniyan) Embroidery and Canvas Work for stump work fuchsias, Maryke Dann (Bena) Best Craft for jewellery, Deborah O’Connor (Mirboo North Night Owls) Best Art for oil painting Botanical Shadows, Anne Fries (Poowong and District) Best Photography for her sequence of three baby photos, Marion Dewar (Meeniyan) Best Jams, Jellies and Preserves for crab apple jelly, Thelma Hutchinson (Poowong and District) Best Cookery plum pudding cooked in cloth, Marilyn Mackie (Meeniyan) Best Floral Art for a dried arrangement and June Scott (Korumburra) Best Cut Flowers and Container of Plants for a teapot of cut flowers.
More than one hundred attended the two days of festivities and presentation of awards.
The exhibition is always well supported by the Gippsland Branches of the CWA which include Bena, Inverloch, Kardella, Korumburra, Leongatha, Twilight, Meeniyan, Mirboo, Mirboo North, Mirboo North Night Owls, Poowong and District, and Woorayl.
Fish Creek and Yarram also attended from the South Gippsland Group.
Once boasting seven hundred members during the heydays of the CWA in the 50s the Gippsland group may be down to 100 members these days, but times are different according to Gippsland Hills Group President Marilyn Mackie.
“Most important is the family. The friends you make as a member of the CWA are so important.”
Past State President Marion Dewar said she was a child during the first exhibition in 1954.
