From food parcels to the UK in the 1940s to trauma teddies today: Castle Hill CWA is 70 years old

Castle Hill Country Women’s Association celebrated 70 years of history last week with more than tea and scones.

Cutting the cake celebrating 70 years of Castle Hill CWA. Wendy Macallister and Jacqueline Lively 93 members for over 28 years. Photographs: David Swift.

It may be hard to think of Castle Hill and country in the same sentence but members of the Castle Hill Country Women’s Association celebrated 70 years of history this week.

The first meeting was in October in 1946 in Methodist hall in Castle Hill. Membership reached 140 at its height.

Amy Briggs, Lorraine Williams OAM and Maureen DeBrincat.

Tuesday’s celebration lunch and (of course) cake was joined by former members, some who had travel from interstate, plus Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane and former federal MP Alan Cadman and his wife Judy a long time member of Galston CWA.

It was the club’s oldest member, 93-year-old Jacqueline Livey, a CWA member for 30 years, and Wendy McAllister, a member for 29 years, who cut the cake.

Mrs Livey, who was in the land army in the UK during World War 2, said she joined the Castle Hill CWA after migrating from England and having a chance encounter with a CWA member while having a coffee at Baulkham Hills one day.

“She asked if she could join me at my table. She had been with the CWA forever and told me they met once a month. I joined and I have never looked back.”

“I have loved every minute of it. Castle Hill was very much a country town then but (the CWA) continues because it is good for people to connect.”

Wendy Macallister has loved her time as a member.

“We are definitely more than tea and scones ... I have learned so much about Australia and other countries.”

She said she has been impressed by the tops debated at State conference including the medical use of marijuana and the suitability of other countries holding “war games” in Australia.

She said the club was about fund raising, education and helping others.

She has compiled a brief history of the club which in its first few years packed food parcels for the UK during the war.

She said there had been many highlights for the busy Castle Hill club, the most recent was the club being named a finalist in the Volunteer Team of the Year awards in September.

Debbie Khnana, Narelle Green, Val Garner, Barbara Browne and Margaret Poole.

Jenny Walsh, May Chidiac, Elaine Taylor, Winifred Wells and Veronica Knight.

Tianna Knight 11, Tahlia Leckey 11 and Camryn Long 12 who danced at the celebration.