2023 marked the 84th Anniversary of Miss Mary Hall laying the foundation stone for the CWA rooms in Nyngan. The Bogan Shire Council gave the rooms a new lease on life in time to celebrate the milestone. 

The rooms, which sit in the centre of Nyngan’s main street precinct, have provided many services to local people over its 84 years of service and have been the hub of many volunteers who have worked tirelessly in service of others. 

Bogan Shire Council received NSW Government grant funding to carry out repairs to the ceilings and install a new kitchenette and an accessible bathroom in the building. The interior has also been repainted, carpeted and had new air-conditioning installed. 

Country Women’s Associations have been a part of the fabric of country life since 1922 when founder Ruth Fairfax, born near Rylstone in NSW but married and living in Queensland first became State President of the newly formed QLD Country Women’s Association.  

It's been a while since the building had seen some love. (Supplied) 

Ruth made it her life work and travelled all over country Queensland in an open car in a strenuous six-month journey opening branches and holding meetings in halls and in one instance, on the bank of a creek. 

From there the idea spread like wildfire and NSW jumped on board and started what has become a driving force in country areas and for country women. 

Membership sees women from all walks of life - town or country - with approximately 8,000 women belonging to over 370 branches working towards both national and locally specific issues. 

The thought behind the organisation was to gather women together who were fighting isolation in rural areas and to address a lack of health facilities, still issues today. 

The unification of women saw great results for rural communities that set up baby health care centres, build and staff maternity wards, hospitals, schools, rest homes, seaside and mountain holiday cottage, fund bush nurses and fundraise for local events in their area. 

The revamped rooms will be available for other organisations to use. (Supplied) 

The Nyngan branch of the CWA celebrated its centenary this year, with a lunch held in the rooms amidst memories and memorabilia. 

Mayor Glen Neill was thrilled to take some of the members on a tour of the newly renovated rooms. “We are very happy with the way the renovations have gone and for the CWA ladies to have clean, fresh new rooms is a plus for us." 

"These ladies have worked hard on behalf of their community for many years and we are very grateful for their efforts then and now,” said Mayor Neill.  

“The CWA has played a pivotal role in our community over many years, the least we can do is to look after and nurture their efforts,” he said.  

The rooms will not only be used by the CWA but will be available for the community to hire out for functions, art exhibitions and community use.