Jean Miles, Doreen Napier and Gwen Jensen outside Harston Hall.
Photo by
Ashley Darling
The Goulburn Valley West Group of the Country Women’s Association met on Thursday, February 26 for its annual general meeting and to present life memberships to three women who have spent decades serving their communities.
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Jean Miles, Doreen Napier and Gwen Jensen were celebrated at Harston Hall for their dedication to the CWA and to supporting the women of their communities across the Goulburn Valley West Group.
The women were nominated by Marilyn Pell, treasurer of the Harston branch, and received a unanimous vote in their favour.
The three women have all been involved in the CWA since they were young.
“I wanted them to feel valued for all their years of service,” Ms Pell said.
The life memberships were presented by former state president and member of honour Helen Wall.
“It’s lovely to recognise members’ work and their commitment and dedication,” she said.
Helen Wall presents Jean Miles with her life membership.
Photo by
Ashley Darling
Jean Miles from Kialla was recognised for her work with CWA Potters, providing goods in kind to charities for women and girls.
One of Ms Miles’ favourite memories with CWA was the Cooking Melbourne project where 15 organisations came together to construct city blocks of the Melbourne CBD out of food.
Ms Miles used gingerbread and plum puddings to construct Flinders St Station and recalled with good humour how the team pulled out a large batch of burnt food right as the press arrived to take photos.
Helen Wall presents Gwen Jensen with her life membership.
Photo by
Ashley Darling
Gwen Jensen has been with the CWA since she was 18, and after she received her life membership said “this one is very special”.
Ms Jensen loves the friendships she has made at the Mooroopna branch and the work they have done together.
“The whole association is for looking after women, children and families,” she said.
Ms Jensen is also dedicated to environmental work, serving on the Salinity Program Advisory Council for the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority from 1990 to 1995.
Doreen Napier’s family travelled to see her 60 years of service celebrated.
Photo by
Ashley Darling
Doreen Napier of the Kyabram-Sheridan branch was grateful to have her work acknowledged and said she felt “very honoured and humbled”.
She has served as the chair of her branch and other committees and felt grateful to have “a wonderful committee behind me”.
“With a good committee you can achieve many things,” she said.
Ms Napier said she valued the lifelong friendships that she has formed through the CWA with other women who also had a desire to volunteer for their communities.
