LOCAL CWA legend, Bessie Newberry, celebrated 50 years with the Country Womens’ Association recently.
In a ceremony at the Sale CWA headquarters, surrounded by delicate china, tea and nibbles (like scones, jelly slices and sandwiches), Ms Newberry expressed her gratitude at being part of CWA.
“It has been a wonderful experience. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve made so many really good friends,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the time comes where we just have to give up on account of our health, but I’d just like to thank the CWA members here.
“I’m sorry I’ve reached the stage where I’ve got to retire, but I’m not sorry because I’m 98, so I’m not doing too bad.”
Bessie joined the CWA Yarram branch at age 48, and was in the branch for the next two decades.
She joined because she liked the fellowship program which allowed her to be a part of a
community and partake in the good that CWA does for people experiencing feelings of distress.
Bessie has many fond memories of the CWA such as when she was part of a skit theatre performance at the Yarram branch.
Her favourite one is where she played Dave in a skit called ‘Dave and Mabel at the honeymoon hotel’ inspired from a popular radio show in the 1950s.
Apparently, the audience was roaring.
Another fond memory was in Yarram was when she surprised a CWA meeting by playing Santa Claus and giving all members a tiny crochet sock.
“Well, I thought we had such a crowd there and that we want a Father Christmas. So anyhow, I got this costume, and it was so funny,” she said.
She moved to Sale in 1996 after her husband died from cancer.
The way she tells the story, she just thought she needed a change in her life and one day drove to Sale to have a look at places.
She left behind two sisters and her favourite doctor, Dr Jones, who tried to stop her from leaving.
In three weeks she transferred to the CWA Sale branch. She enjoyed the area but said initially it was difficult to grow the Sale CWA branch.
“The first couple of years we didn’t know if we were going to keep meeting again,” she said.
“We thought we’d have to fold up but eventually we rounded up a few more members and they came in and we really built the show up.”
Bessie lived in a lovely two-bedroom unit (with an ensuite) in Sale.
This is where she met CWA member and neighbour, Shirley.
Bessie also has a local fame for performing well in the CWA bake competitions and state conferences, winning prizes every time since 1994.
She now lives in the Ashleigh House elderly citizens village and is being taken care of by what she calls the ‘lifestyle ladies’ who organise all sorts of events like quizzes, board games and lawn bowls.
Apparently it gets competitive with big trophies being handed out. Bessie is proud of where her life is and the contributions she has made to CWA.
“I feel really great, but very sad because it comes to an end. I had to give up CWA because I couldn’t come anywhere because of my health, this is my final time,” she said.
“But today is one of my bad days as my nerves have just cracked up. But I guess that comes with age. It’s just one of those days.”
Bessie is very relaxed and believes CWA has taught her how to manage stress. “Just take it one day at a time now and make the best of it,” she said.
“Death is going to happen, so you’ve got to make the best of your life. What you’ve got left of it.”
