More than 60 people attend Country Women’s Association of WA Women of Spirit Geraldton book launch

Inspiring women from the district gathered on Monday for the launch of Country Women’s Association of WA book Women of Spirit, which commemorates the organisation’s 2024 centenary. The book, released on Friday, encapsulates 100 stories of members across the State, including nine women in the Mid West, and delves into themes facing women over the past century, such as finding an inner strength, giving generously and supporting the local community. State president Heather Allen and members Jean King, Suzanne Collingwood and Pamela Batten are featured in the book and were some of the 60 people that attended Monday’s launch at the Geraldton RSL. Ms Allen has been a CWA member since 1977, when she joined the Yuna branch. She said it was a huge honour to be recognised alongside the other women in the book, and celebrated with her family by her side at the Perth launch on Friday. “Our husbands are fully supportive of us, we could never do what we’ve done without full support from our husbands and family,” she said. Joining CWA of WA opened the door to a social network with other like-minded women who can otherwise be in an isolating environment in rural WA. Ms Allen said technology has helped to bridge the gap for women in farming to be able to make connections in the community. “I married Peter and came to farm at Ogilvie in 1975 and joined Yuna (CWA) soon after. I’m not a person to play in the sun and play sport in the heat, or chase a golf ball around the golf course. So it was a big thing to be able to meet women, or meet families in the district really,” she said. Ms Batten and Ms Collingwood spoke at the launch before guests indulged in a delicious spread of morning tea and coffee. The book can be purchased for $60 cash.