Country Women's Association attracts new city members

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 22:07 · Archive

The Country Women's Association is drawing younger members in Sydney with baking, preserves and community support.

The Country Women's Association, traditionally known for its influence across rural Australia over a century, is now attracting younger members in Sydney's city branch through cooking, preserving and community activities like knitting.

Rebecca Lim found comfort in teaching friends how to make preserved lemons and kimchi whilst supporting her father through years of cancer treatment. When her father Jung Mook died in mid-2026, she was inundated with care packages, text messages, phone calls and hugs from the women in her branch. 'Scones, fruit cakes and advocacy work aside, this is one of the reasons the CWA exists. We are a support network for each other,' Ms Lim told AAP.

The Sydney City branch runs some of its biggest fundraisers through school bake sales, farmers' market stalls and Bunnings sausage sizzles. Ms Lim said the group has regular customers who come not just to buy produce but for conversation and company. 'There's a grandfather who turns up and we know he loves his scones, so we always put about 20 aside for him to share with his children and grandchildren,' she said.

CWA members from around Australia will feature in the ABC show Recipe Of The Year, which premieres on Sunday and follows home cooks as they prepare and share family recipes, exploring the value of keeping traditional recipes alive.

How it is being reported

• Scones and sympathy: country ways connecting the cityPickles, baking and knitting are attracting a new generation of Country Women's Association members and bringing the spirit of the bush to the city.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 21:32
• Scones and sympathy: country ways connecting the cityPickles, baking and knitting are attracting a new generation of Country Women's Association members and bringing the spirit of the bush to the city.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 21:32

In this story: Rebecca Lim · Country Women's Association · Sydney City · ABC

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem