Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to shine a light on the Camden branch of the Country Women's Association, which is proudly based in my electorate of Hume. Recently I had the pleasure of attending their 95th-anniversary luncheon at the Camden Estate Cafe. It was an absolutely wonderful celebration of the branch's rich history and the incredible work that they've done over many years. We had branch members from many of the surrounding branches, at Picton, Campbelltown and elsewhere, which made the day even more special. I can't stress enough how important it is across these branches that they network with each other, and they do that in a way where they share knowledge, lend a hand and work together on a range of projects.

Over the years, the CWA has made a well-earned reputation for wonderful scones and tea, and they do that brilliantly—but there's way more to the CWA than that. At its heart, it's about improving the lives of women and families, especially in rural and remote parts of Australia. But Camden, on the edge of Sydney, is one of those places where it has had an impact for a long, long time. Through fundraising and community service advocacy, it continues to make a real difference.

During World War II, the CWA, including the Camden CWA, stepped up in a really big way by knitting woollen garments, making blankets and preparing food supplies for service men and women on the front lines and elsewhere; and they even made camouflage nets to help conceal equipment and personnel from enemy aircraft. Many of the founding members had already been active in World War I through other women's organisations, and their legacy of service runs deep.

But their work didn't stop there. Beyond wartime efforts, the CWA has been a quiet force behind so many local initiatives: supporting schools and hospitals, and providing disaster relief during floods, droughts and bushfires. We've had our share of those in that area in recent years. They're always there when help is needed. This is an organisation that's the real deal. It's about genuine people taking real action and speaking with honest voices.

I'm thrilled to say the Camden branch is looking ahead, as well. It was fantastic to see a number of junior members actively involved in the anniversary luncheon. Their energy and ideas are vital and, of course, will be the underpinning of an organisation that has a great future. The branch isn't just about service; it's about a way to make new friends. New members are always welcome. They come from all walks of life and all age groups.

This week, it held its annual general meeting, and a big congratulations to Darlene Burkhardt, who was re-elected as president. She's backed by a passionate committee of volunteers who give their time and energy to keep the branch thriving. They meet on the third Tuesday of every month, and I encourage anyone interested to go along. I'm also proud to share that CWA Camden was recently nominated for the 2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Volunteer Team of the Year. That was celebrated at the Campbelltown Catholic Club just recently—a fitting tribute to 95 years of service.

I left the luncheon feeling genuinely inspired by the stories of resilience, the unwavering commitment to community, the positive mindset of the members—and the absolutely fantastic food, which is what you always get at a CWA. I'm really looking forward to joining them in five years time, looking ahead, to celebrate their centenary. The countdown to 100 is officially on. It's organisations like these that hold our wonderful community together.

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