The CWA of NSW's chief executive officer dropped into Gunnedah to catch up with Namoi Group members on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Danica Leys attended the group's council meeting for the first time but isn't a stranger to the area - her husband is from Goolhi.
More than 40 women representing branches from Rocky Glen, Manilla, Quirindi, Willow Tree, Gunnedah, Curlewis, Emerald Hill, Willala, Maules Creek, Edgeroi, Bellata and Werris Creek got together for the meeting.
Read also:
Ms Leys said she liked to visit branches and mingle with members so they can ask questions and she can keep them up-to-date with what is happening on a state level.
"It's important for me to get out of the state office and listen to the members because that's who we're working for," she said.
"I don't come with a prepared speech or agenda. It's an opportunity for members to ask questions, and more importantly, for me to get feedback."
Ms Leys said drought was still at the forefront of discussions and the CWA had distributed about $17 million in aid since July 2018.
The CWA is also preparing for the state conference in May where members will raise issues "that are important to them" and they want to see action on.
Ms Leys said coal seam gas was another issue the NSW CWA was lobbying about. The association recently released a statement calling on the state government to end the Narrabri gas project.
"Some of our branches are very passionate about this issue and have pushed right from the start," she said.
The group also announced the successful recipients of its annual medical grant at the meeting,
Helena Pease is from Gunnedah and will undertake a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of New England.
The second recipient is Fiona Simson from Wallabadah who will study nursing through Gunnedah TAFE.
At the meeting, 2019 grant recipient Tyson Hubbard addressed the meeting to offer his thanks for awarding him the $200 Namoi Group CWA education grant and $1000 for the state CWA's Jean Martin/Louie Jean Mercer Performing Arts Education Grant.
He said it was "incredible" to receive such support and the CWA had always encouraged him in his pursuit of creative arts from a young age.
Mr Hubbard will study a bachelor of contemporary music and a master of education at Southern Cross University in Lismore in 2021.
