CWA: How the humble scone can help our most vulnerable

Grab a scone this month from the Country Women’s Association and help raise funds for regional Victorians in need.

CWA Marie Vassalo, Catering Chairman, is participating in this month’s scone fundraiser. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

There’s nothing quite like a fresh scone, laden with bright jam and a smear of whipped cream.

And this month, if you get your scone fix from the ladies of the Country Women’s Association, you’ll enjoy the taste even more knowing you’re helping support vulnerable people across regional Victoria.

Throughout the month, the CWA has been busy dusting their scone cutters and cranking the ovens as they attempt to break their all time scone record of 13,443 set in 2020, all in celebration of the institute’s 94th birthday.

CWA catering chairman Matie Vassallo said all money raised this month goes towards filling a “huge” fundraising hole, with funds used to support women and children across the state.

Ms Vassallo said the CWA broke its own scone baking record in 2020 at the Royal Melbourne Show.

“We broke our record, so much so that (The Melbourne Show) put us into their grand parade on the last day. We were wandering around waving our wooden spoons.”

Marie Vassalo. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

But when the pandemic hit, it affected the organisation’s ability to raise funds in the traditional way.

“We needed a way to fix a large fundraising hole,” Ms Vassallo said.

During lockdown, the CWA worked to sell scones virtually, and at regional market sales, where lockdown restrictions allowed.

“And that’s when we got to 13,400 scones.”

Ms Vassallo said two years of lost fundraising efforts meant the organisation had a lot of catching up to do, and a lot of scones to sell.

“This year it’s not only about breaking the record, but it’s also about the branches seeing each other again. And that reconnection is really important. That’s the point of being in the CWA, and helping in the community is helped by being happy and sane. It’s about that connectedness,” Ms Vassallo said.

“If you see the CWA out and about, please come and say hi and grab a scone.

“There’s nothing like a fresh scone.”