Amanda Foxon-Hill and Janice Ward.
Hosted by CWA Young Branch The Country Women’s Association of NSW South West Group Council met at the Young CWA rooms on Saturday 25th July.
The focus of this meeting was a Culture, International, Agriculture and Environment Day.
Concentrating on the CWA Country of Study, Fiji; and the Glossy Black Cockatoos and their special habitat and food source, the She Oak.
The Welcome was conducted by our Group President, Jenny Thompson, and Virginia Keighley SWG International Officer. Janice Ward (SWG Ag & Environment Officer) led the day with Virginia. Maureen Nation (International Branch Officer for Young) contributing with information and photos from her Fiji trip earlier in the year. Maureen also gave some historical context related to the villages and community/family structuring; dance groups and feasts.
Janice held a Haiku session using 5/7/5 syllables and Norma Power (SWG Cultural Officer) contributing with a quiz of twenty questions.
Virginia gave a presentation on the difficulties Fijians face on a daily basis. Each branch was issued a handout which further went into the core values, community problems including reduced medical services, civic development and young people leaving Fiji for education and work opportunities. A video was shown on a choir where men had formed a harmonising group keeping them occupied serving God and their community. Showing that engagement with others and bringing joy is paramount.
Janice welcomed the guest speaker Amanda Foxon-Hill who works with the Middle Lachlan Landcare Group. Amanda and her colleague Tracee Burke have been working on a project to protect the Glossy Black Cockatoo.
This project has been funded through a grant from Bupa which incorporates a physical and mental health slant with the outdoor activities connected with the planting of She Oaks. This involved working with farmers who have land with a border to the national park and the western woodlands of the Weddin Range.
The Cockatoos feed exclusively on the She Oak cones. Allocasuarina Verticillata, commonly known as drooping She Oak is the preferred variety. The life of these trees varies but can live up to fifty years.
Tube stock comes from various sources. The Oaks need to be part of a multilevel construction with other trees and scrubs that offer flowering to encourage many bird types to the habitat.
The project 2024-2025 has seen over 2000 plantings of trees and shrubs has been achieved on private land holdings across seven acres.
Further information can be found about the Glossy Black Cockatoo and its habitat on https://midlachlanlandcare.org/glossy-black-cockatoo-project/
Janice held a craft session connected with the Glossy Black Cockatoo, She Oaks, invasive weeds/ escaping plants.
Jenny Thompson and Caro Xureb (State Executive Committee Officer) thanked all involved with the day and especially complimented Virginia and everyone involved on a fun and successful day.
Robyn Atherton
CWA Harden Branch -Cultural Officer
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