CWA for every mum – and daughter

Thought the CWA just backed and knitted? Bet you didn't know this organisation helped advocate for mandatory seatbelts

by Genevieve Swart

Published June 02, 2026

A Bulli mum and her daughter have teamed up in a creative campaign to show the Illawarra there’s more to the Country Women’s Association than tea and scones (although they do like baking too).

Keiraville CWA’s publicity officer, Marion Cook, was at the NSW conference in Forster when it dawned on her that the organisation was misunderstood.

“Sitting through four days of motions, reports, discussions and awards, one thing became very clear to me,” Marion said. “Many of the remarkable achievements of the Country Women’s Association are not widely understood even by some of our own members, let alone the broader community.

"For many people, the CWA is still associated with fundraising events, cooking and sewing. While those traditions remain an important and cherished part of our organisation, they are only a small part of what we do.

“At its heart, the CWA has always been a strong voice for advocacy and community action. Our work reaches into areas that deeply affect women, children and families across rural, regional and local communities. We lobby governments for meaningful change and work tirelessly to ensure regional voices are heard.”

Now, with the help of her daughter, Bianca Jarvis, Marion has launched a social media campaign and opened the doors to a new generation of members.

“One of the most exciting outcomes of Bianca’s involvement has been the establishment of a new group within the Keiraville CWA, designed to welcome younger members and full-time workers. Bianca has helped transform our online presence. Thousands of people are now viewing and engaging with the clever and creative posts promoting the work of Keiraville CWA."

Marion said the social media campaign has opened the door to a new generation of young women.

"The CWA is evolving while staying true to its core values of service, friendship and advocacy," she said. "We are proud of our traditions, but we are equally proud to be growing, adapting and finding new ways to support our communities.