Drought assistance: Gippsland CWA branches hold lunch for the affected

CWA North Gippsland Group are preparing a delicious lunch for those on the land, with hope they can momentarily forget about the “d” word.

Cheer up: CWA North Gippsland Group members Ann Harrison, Giffard, Sylvia McKenzie, Bundalaguah, and group president Viv Speight, Sale, preparing for their “drought” lunch. Photo: Dannika Bonser

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THROW a delicious lunch for those on the land so women can come together, have a bite to eat and a laugh — and they can forget about the “d” word.

That is the mission of a group of CWA branches who are hosting a free lunch at Sale next week for those affected by the drought.

The 10 subbranches — Avon at Stratford, Bundalaguah, Cobains, Denison, Giffard, Maffra, Sale, Sale Starlight, Tinamba and Toongabbie — will host the lunch next Wednesday at St John’s Hall in Sale.

“Women who live in the area said we’re fed up with this ‘d’ word. The best thing would be a cheer-up, get together and show your support, rather than give them things they might not actually need,” said group president Viv Speight.

Comedian Kelly Nash will provide the laughs.

“Hopefully the women laugh with that and go home with a bit of a smile on their face ready to keep going,” Viv said.

Viv emphasised that the lunch was not only being provided for women directly on the land, but also “anybody who owns land, gets their income from the land, even just have a hobby farm that they love and had to cut it back to nothing — anyone who is stressed about the drought, really.” “Really, I’ve heard people say it’s going to be five or six years before they're back to where they were at. It’s a long haul we need to plan for.” To RSVP for the lunch email Viv vivsp8@hot mail.com