One of the founding members of the Eden branch, Mary Cocks joined the Country Women’s Association in 1953 at age 27, the same year she married husband Lloyd. The catering for their wedding, held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church and celebrated at the School of Arts, was largely provided for by the then newly formed CWA.
When a 27-year-old Mary Welsh joined the Country Women’s Association in 1953 it was the only organisation for women in Eden.
Within 10 years it had grown to 50 members and become a ‘go to’ place for catering, friendship and support in times of tragedy.
Looking back on 60 years of membership and leadership, Mary is thankful for the remarkable women she has had the pleasure of knowing.
“We were always there to help any tragedy that happened in Eden, the bushfires or if any of the boats got into trouble we always supplied food and things like that,” she said.
“We had a roster for visiting sick people in Pambula hospital, the paper ran a column and that’s how we found out who was ill, then if that particular family wanted food or children looked after or washing done we always pushed to the fore.”
In the early days the women founded Eden’s first baby health centre, in rooms on Imlay Street that no longer exist, and then fundraised for their own rooms which currently house a meeting place and dance studio, dvd rental business and a flat.
“We did a lot of catering jobs to get those rooms built,” she said.
“We were the caterers for the club long before they ever had a kitchen, we catered for the opening of the club.”
“Having the rooms has saved us, we’re too old to have street stalls now.”
It’s not just local endeavours the ladies throw themselves into, they also attend national conferences where their combined power commands attention and respect from the nation’s leaders, plus it’s a great place to promote Eden.
“Oh we’re strong alright,” Mary said, adding that this is the first year she won’t be travelling to any conferences.
“I think the greatest thing was during the drought when we all gave millions and Howard picked us out to distribute it, he said he never saw an organisation so well prepared.
“You see some remarkable women at those conferences, they have the finger on the pulse and hold themselves so well, they know where they are going.”
Although membership has dropped since those early days, the CWA is still strong, and growing in Eden.
They have welcomed at least three new members in the past 12 months, creating a resurgence in the time-honoured traditions of baking, craft and banging down politician’s doors.
“We have excellent members, what they say they are going to do, they do and they do it excellently,” Mary said.
“I’m old now, I just sit there and do nothing, except yap, if you don’t yap you’re not going to get anywhere.”
Even after all the accomplishments she been part of, most recently the redevelopment of the nature strip on Imlay Street, Mary would love to see the entrance to Eden “spruced up”.
“I’ve been fighting for that for about 50 years,” she said.
“I cannot for the life of me see why they can’t tidy it up, and I wish they’d come and paint the street furniture, it looks tatty and we’ve got all these cruise ships coming in.
Anything else?
“Don’t start me on the footpaths because I’ll go right off.”