HALF a century contributing to the good work of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) has seen Bonville member Deidre Vanderveer awarded a NSW Service Award.
Deidre has held numerous roles including Branch Patron, President, Treasurer, Handicraft Officer, Cultural Officer, Land Cookery Officer, Social Secretary, and 12-time delegate to the State Conference.
Deidre and her husband moved to a farm in Bonville in 1974.
Two years later, her neighbour convinced her to join the CWA.
She has been attending the branch’s Tuesday meetings ever since.
In those early days, not having a vehicle to get to meetings didn’t stop the women of the CWA.
“If all the vehicles were on farm jobs, Deidre and her neighbour [would ride] their kids’ bicycles or walk, and someone would give them a lift along the way,” North Coast Secretary Jodie Williams told News Of The Area.
Recounting some of the stories she called “pearlers”, Jodie said that when Deidre’s husband got sick and was sent to hospital, she was left with the children and the farm to run.
The house cow needed milking, but she didn’t know how to milk, so the CWA ladies stepped in and told her to bring a rubber washing-up glove to the next meeting.
Deidre told Jodie that: “They filled it with water and put a pin prick in the finger and showed me how to milk on that. I milked the old girl for years after that.”
Deidre once organised for her brother, a butcher, to demonstrate how to “dress” a pig for the freezer.
It was such a success that he was invited to the State Office at Pott’s Point to show the city ladies.
This was the year the CWA highlighted Pork for their Primary Produce.
Deidre has hosted many Melbourne Cup days on her property, including fashion parades and skits by the Coffs Harbour Theatrical Society.
She is a firm believer that the CWA is so much more than scones and tea.
It has given her friendship and confidence to speak to a crowd, various craft and baking skills and awareness of the work of the CWA’s International, Agriculture and Environment and Social Issues committees.
“I look back and wonder where the time has gone,” Deidre said.
“We mostly had young families when I joined, then came our kids’ weddings, grandkids, and now great-grandchildren.
“We are a tight knit group and that in itself has been a beautiful part of my life.”
By Andrea FERRARI
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