Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has presented $20,000 funding to Berry Country Women’s Association to help upgrade their amenities.
Mr Ward said that he was extremely pleased to secure this funding from the New South Wales Government for this terrific community project.
“I am extremely pleased that this $20,000 funding will go towards this much needed toilet block upgrade to make it comply with current disability access standards,” he said.
“Berry CWA plays a tremendous role in our local community. It is an integral part of the Wollondilly Group of CWA.
“The first regular meeting of Berry CWA took place on the 16th May 1951.
“In fact, the CWA building was originally used as a public school in Pulman Street.
“When the present Berry Public School was built, the old school was moved and owned by the Berry Bowling Club; and now the CWA is the proud owner of this heritage listed building in Victoria Street.
“Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month commencing at 1pm.
“Fundraising is a big part of the CWA with the Berry Branch raising funds for a number of charities and organisations in need.
“Berry CWA is also heavily involved in local community initiatives such as sandwich making for the Berry Show for the past 60 or so years.
“Every December the Berry Show girl entrants give a presentation to help them with their public speaking skills, catering for the Nowra Kennel Club and involvement with Year 5 students at Berry Public School for both cooking and International studies.
“Berry CWA on Australia Day in January will be making and distributing ANZAC biscuits for the Berry Rotary Club’s Australia Day Breakfast in the Berry Showground which I will also be attending and assisting Berry Rotary with the early morning barbeque which has become an annual tradition for me!
“I commend the Berry CWA and their President Emily Boorer on their amazing and congoing contributions and I will keep fighting to secure our fair share of funding for outstanding local community projects like this one,” Mr Ward concluded.
President of the Berry CWA Mrs Emily Boorer said: “For the local community groups and organisations who hire the Berry CWA Hall, will have a much more accessible toilet block which will now be upgraded to meet disability access standards,” she said.
“Today, the Berry CWA had its last meeting of the year and we had Gareth Ward here, we had one of our long serving Berry CWA members Lorna Knapp who received her 50 Year Service to CWA Badge along with all her family which was followed by the Berry Showgirls speaking and afternoon tea.
“We would like to acknowledge and thank our local Member Gareth Ward for securing this funding and for his ongoing support,” Mrs Boorer concluded.