Carmel Haire has been recognised for more than 60 years of serving in the Tambar Springs CWA.
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Fellow members held a special lunch for the long-time patroness who received an honourary life membership on Monday.
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Mrs Haire said the branch had originally been formed in the 1920s but was disbanded when the township found it too difficult to support both the CWA and the bush aid clinic.
The branch reformed in 1933 and Mrs Haire, her mother Bridget and her sister Brigid joined around 1955.
Mrs Haire said she joined because she was a "patriotic sort of person", her father being a member of the Legislative Council of NSW for 30 years.
"My mother and father took an interest in public affairs," she said.
"It was an opportunity to make a contribution."
Alongside her fellow members, Mrs Haire lobbied for improvements in roads and health care, catered for clearing sales, and fundraised for community facilities including the local hall.
In 1957, she married David Haire and they had a number of children. Mrs Haire said motherhood was a major focus for women back then and small charges could often be found in the monthly meetings.
"It was quite a bit different [back then] - women weren't so actively involved in hands-on agriculture and they had large families," she said.
"I think the early founders thought it was a great way for people to become friends."
Mrs Haire recalls International Days as huge affairs back then, with more than 30 branches coming together to perform songs and plays to demonstrate what they had learnt about the year's chosen country of study.
In 1977, she was sashed the Namoi CWA Country Woman of the Year. She competed against 11 other contestants and went on for a final judging at the state conference in Tamworth.
She said she wasn't terribly interested in cooking or handicraft, preferring a chat.
"I think I was more interested in having a talk, spruiking things," she said.
In more recent years, Mrs Hairs has "dialled back from active duty" but has continued as patroness of the branch.
CWA member Ruth Strang said it was a "huge honour" to receive life membership and recognised Mrs Haire's "many years of continual service".
