The Country Women's Association (CWA) of NSW will hold its annual State Conference in Wagga Wagga later this month where a record number of motions will be debated for inclusion in the Association's policy platform for the next 12 months.
More than 600 members from around the state are expected to come together at Wagga Wagga's Range Function Centre from 19 to 22 May, with 36 motions and several urgency motions to be put to delegates.
At this year's Conference, a new president for the Association will be elected, following the end of the three-year term by current president Joy Beames.
The motions that will be put to delegates over the three days cover education, health, the environment, agriculture, transport and telecommunications. There are two urgency motions for consideration, both aiming to improve health care outcomes for remote, rural and regional NSW communities.
They are:
• That the policy of the CWA of NSW be to advocate for:
o The NSW Government to urgently review ambulance resourcing in regional, rural, and remote communities to ensure a timely medical response.
o Improved emergency response protocols to ensure that when an ambulance is unavailable, appropriate alternative medical support is deployed.
o An end to the inappropriate reliance on Rural Fire Brigades and Fire and Rescue NSW crews for emergency medical care beyond their training and scope.
Motion from Myamley Branch
• That the policy of the CWA of NSW be to advocate for:
o Improvements to emergency call handling protocols to ensure that when a Triple Zero (000) call is successfully connected following previous failed attempts, essential information is retained and transferred efficiently to avoid delays in dispatching emergency services.
o Increased public awareness and accountability regarding emergency call processes, ensuring that regional, rural, and remote communities have confidence in the emergency response system.
Motion from State Executive Committee
Other motions include:
• Urging the state government to provide vital short-term housing for women and children and women over 55 across NSW and ACT by converting unused buildings into safe accommodation - (put forward by Illabo Evening branch)
• Advocating for a review of the current local council funding model, ensuring that regional, rural, and remote councils are adequately funded through equitable state and federal contributions, minimising reliance on ratepayer increases such as Special Rate Variations - (Tambar Springs branch)
• Advocating for the funding and fitting of seatbelts in public buses on routes where they transport school children in rural, regional and remote areas - (Moruya branch)
• Urging the State Government to cut two months off the daylight saving period - (Eurongilly branch)
• Advocating for the strengthening of penalties for biosecurity border breaches, reflecting the severe risks posed to agricultural products and the industry - (Braidwood branch)
• Support for the work of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, actively opposing all forms of modern slavery and raising community awareness - (Barellen branch)
• Advocating for tax incentives for businesses donating surplus food and associated logistics services, promoting food waste reduction and supporting food relief efforts - (Agricultural and Environmental Committee)
• Calling for financial support for women from rural, regional and remote areas forced to travel to access fertility treatments - (Guyra Evening branch)
"The high number of motions delegates will be asked to vote on this year reflects the commitment from our members to their communities and the importance of highlighting issues impacting the lives of those in remote, rural and regional NSW communities," said CWA of NSW president Joy Beames. "Advocacy has always been at the heart of our Association and that has certainly come to the fore this year."
A new president for the Association will be elected during this year's Conference, and Joy said she looked forward to welcoming the successful nominee.
"It's hard to believe three years has passed since I was elected at our centenary Conference in Sydney. It has been such a great experience, with so many new challenges and opportunities, and I've learned so much. It's been a pleasure to visit so many of our branches in that time and meet so many of our members who have offered me such great support and friendship," she said.
The Conference will be officially opened on 19 May with business sessions, meetings and award ceremonies across the four days.
To view the program and full list of motions, go to CWA of NSW AGM
