by Yvette Brand

For 97 years, the Country Women's Association has been a staple in regional areas with members providing friendship, support, and of course scones, to communities as a gesture of how things are done in the country.

At a time when many people may think CWA branches are a thing of the past, a group of Labertouche women decided to do just the opposite.
United by their love of craft and friendship, the Labertouche Blue Wrens CWA branch was launched last week.
Appropriately there was an afternoon tea spread that any CWA diehard would be envious of - complete with scones, jam and cream, old fashioned slices and fresh sandwich platters.
As invited guests, we chatted to others and all shared the same sentiment - there's nothing better than CWA catering - and even better when the members generously send you off with plenty of leftovers for the office staff to enjoy.
But, despite traditional opinion, the CWA is more than scones!
In line with CWA Victoria's strategic plan released in April this year, stating the CWA would elevate its image to show it was "more than tea and scones," the organisation's newest members at Labertouche are keen to be part of the modern day look.
The women are no strangers to supporting each other through tough times. They first came together to form a "ladies group" following the Black Saturday fires that ripped through Labertouche and surrounding communities in 2009.
It is fitting the inaugural branch president Sandra Ottrey also was a founding member of that ladies group when it established in 2009 and has been an integral part of the group ever since.
On Wednesday, Sandra said launching the CWA Blue Wren branch marked the "beginning of a wonderful new chapter for our community."
She said the CWA had a long history of fostering friendship and supporting communities, women and children across Australia.
Sandra paid tribute to the support of women from the ladies group and new members who had helped bring the CWA branch to life.
She said "it takes a village to build something special...your energy in building this branch is what will see this branch continue for years to come."
Sandra also acknowledged members of the Labertouche Men's Shed for giving the women the strength to plough on and continue as a new group.
She said the new CWA branch was built on compassion and resilience and the members looked forward to sharing friendship and creativity.
Latrobe Central Group president and Drouin CWA member Helen Riedl said the Labertouche group was the 13th branch in the Latrobe Central Group.
During her time as president, Helen said she had closed one branch, resurrected another and now opened two.
"CWA is about supporting women and children in a vulnerable situation. It's all about fun, friendship and being a part of the community.
"We knit, we sew, we crochet. We cook - and we don't just cook scones. But, we do make the best scones - and that can be seen at the Royal Melbourne Show where 16,428 were sold this year, which was a record," she said.
Helen said the Central Latrobe Group supported many community projects including the Fairview Homes units for homeless women over 55.
She said there were about 4000 members in Victoria in almost 300 branches.
Branch secretary Judith Davies said Helen's support in establishing the Labertouche branch had been encouraging. "Her enthusiasm has become our enthusiasm."
For the women, who have been meeting weekly for nine years, the new CWA branch will continue to bring them together for craft and friendship.
"It's all about craft and supporting each other, that's the thing that draws us all together. We feel very privileged to have this opportunity to keep us all together and welcome new members," Judith said.