“Today is about coming out and meeting the members for me,” Mrs Cameron said.

“Yes, it is the group conference, but there are a lot of members here from the groups who I wouldn’t normally get to meet,” 

Delegates from the Barradine, Binnaway, Cassilis, Coonabarabran, Coonabarabran Evening, Dunedoo, Grattai, Gulgong, Ilford-Running Stream, Kandos, Mendooran, Mudgee Day, Mudgee Evening, Munghorn, Purlewaugh, and Rylstone branches attended the full day event which included morning tea, the annual conference, lunch, and handicrafts judging in the afternoon. 

As well as making herself known to members of the local groups, Mrs Cameron was invited to open the Castlereagh Country Conference, and spoke of several current issues being faced by the CWA.

“From our national conference we’ve elected to raise awareness about Lyme Disease, and we’re hoping to be able to get better diagnostic testing in Australia through our awareness,” she said. 

“There will also be an update on the [Potts Point] building and what is happening with mental health issues facing our members and their communities. 

“It’s really about giving members a general overview of the big issues impacting the CWA,” she said. 

The group conference is a chance to celebrate the achievements of the past year, including the handing out of awards, and a way for regional members to help determine projects for the future. 

As always, the Castlereagh Country group elected their office bearers for the 2015 year and debated on a number of motions to be put forward for inclusion on the State AGM agenda. 

Members of the Blue Mountains Group and Central Western Group were also in attendance in order to hear Ms Cameron speak and receive the results of the tri-group handicrafts judging.