MEDIA RELEASE
12 FEBRUARY 2014
CWA of NSW to help rural
families affected by drought
The Country Women’s Association
(CWA) of NSW today donated $50,000 to help families in NSW affected by
the current drought.
“We have called on politicians
and leaders to respond quickly and generously to help those families suffering
in this drought,” said CWA of NSW President, Tanya Cameron. “The current
conditions are devastating and escalating dramatically, and we are pleased
to see that this has now been acknowledged and addressed with the Deputy
Premier, Andrew Stoner and Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson
today announcing an expansion of a temporary financial package of emergency
in-drought measures”.
“Just last week, the CWA of
NSW joined with the CWA of QLD to write to the Prime Minister asking him
and the Treasurer to visit drought affected areas to gain a better understanding
of the situation. We are pleased to see that the NSW government has now
stepped up their relief package.
“In the meantime, I hope our
financial contribution will assist to take some immediate financial pressure
off some families.”
The CWA of NSW donation has
been given to the Rural Financial Counselling Service who is currently
experiencing a great increase in requests for assistance. Local counsellors
will identify families in rural NSW who need support and provide them will
a financial ‘gift’ from the CWA of NSW to be used to assist with essential
expenses.
“Our members know only too
well the difficulties of trying to keep a farm and a family going in a
drought and so they were keen to help,” said Tanya. “We know that
farmers prepared better than ever for this drought but no one could have
foreseen just how long it would last.”
The CWA is the largest women’s
organisation in Australia and aims to improve conditions for country women
and children. There are currently 10,000 members in NSW belonging to 395
branches across the state.
The CWA of NSW operates a Disaster
Relief Fund to assist people in need and donations to this fund can be
made via www.cwaofnsw.org.au/donate
