Reception for women’s focussed patronage groups

The Governor and Ms Annus hosted a reception for a number of the Governor’s patronage organisations whose activities advance women’s interests in WA or deal with issues confronted by women, their families and the broader community.

The event provided an opportunity for the Governor to thank the staff and volunteers from each group for the work they do in our State, a number of whom have not visited Government House before. It was also a chance to gain new perspectives, and for the organisations to network and collaborate.

The organisations in attendance were:

Country Women’s Association of WA

• In Australia, the formation of the Country Women’s Association commenced in NSW and Queensland in 1922.
• Two years later in 1924, the first branch in Western Australia was established in Nungarin.
• Its purpose is to unite women and strengthen our communities through friendship, education, service and advocacy.
• Currently there are over 135 branches across Western Australia, headquarters in West Perth plus the Association operates three low fee retirement lodges and four family friendly budget holiday homes.

Recent news:

• The CWA of WA raised $50, 000 for the Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in July.

CWA of WA (external link)

National Council of Women Western Australia (NCWWA)

• NCWWA is a non-political, non-sectarian, voluntary organisation dedicated to the advancement of women and the welfare of society.
• NCWWA advocates on behalf of its members on a range of issues affecting women and their families.
• It is affiliated with National Council of Women Australia, which in turn is affiliated with the International Council of Women which has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Recent news:

• In April, the Governor invested Standing Committee Co-ordinator for NCWWA Mrs Jan Rose OAM with a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) – For service to women, and to youth, particularly as an Executive Member for NCWWA and through various leadership roles with Girl Guides Australia WA since 1993.

NCCWA (external link)

Ngala

• Ngala operates early childhood education and care, parent education and youth services across Western Australia.
• Ngala has a range of community and residential services across Western Australia which support local communities.
  • Services range from private consultations to access to our Parenting Line which is available for all parenting queries 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm.
• Ngala’s services have been developed to provide support for all parents and carers with children from conception to adulthood.
• Community programs delivered by Ngala are funded by local, state, federal governments as well as through supporters and partnerships.’

Recent news:

• Ms Annus met with Ms Shelley Archer, Board Member for Ngala and President of Friends of Ngala in July and received a briefing on the important work Ngala provides.

Ngala (external link)

The War Widows’ Guild of Australia W.A

• Formed in 1946 in WA, the Guild assists and advocates on behalf of all war widows/ers to government for benefits and entitlements.
• The average age of a war widow in W.A. is 85.1 and there is a total of 4267 (2703 over the age of 85, 2 under the age of 34) war widows’ in receipt of a gold card from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs indicating that their husbands/partners died from accepted ‘war causes’.
• The guild encourages all war widows to participate in outings and social gatherings and is currently concentrating on keeping contact with the younger cohort of war widows, predominantly Vietnam, by introducing electronic engagement through email and other social media.

Recent news:

• State President Jan McLeod recently attended the ‘Honouring Women and Families United by Defence’ Last Post Service at the AWM and dinner at Parliament House in Canberra.

The War Widows Guild WA (external link)

Also present at the reception were the following Members of Parliament:

• The Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services.
• The Hon Michael Mischin MLC, Shadow Attorney General, representing the Hon Donna Faragher MLC, Shadow Minister for Women’s Interests.
• The Hon Colin Holt MLC, Member for South West Region, Nationals Spokesperson for Women’s Interests.

The Governor supports more than 130 community organisations as Patron.

View the full list here

Feature image caption: The Governor with representatives of the National Council of Women Western Australia (NCWWA)

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