General News
3 September, 2025
CWA branches celebrate Sri Lankan theme
AN insightful evening with a Sri Lankan theme was recently enjoyed by CWA members at an evening hosted by the Waubra Branch.
With a population of twenty-five million people in a land base similar in size to Tasmania, Sri Lanka is a fascinating country.
Michele Dissanayake shared personal insights into life growing up in Sri Lanka in a chat format with Lexton resident Cheryl Hopcroft.
Cheryl, a member of the Waubra CWA, drew out interesting insights to Michele’s homeland.
The differences between India and Sri Lanka are to the Sri Lankan’s so pronounced, yet often unknown to so many of us.
Sri Lankans have a meat based diet and a western based economy.
They only wear traditional garments for special occasions such as weddings and she noted that there is very much a place for women in
Sri Lanka with the first female Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1960 who served three terms.
Not only was she the first to serve Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), but the first female Prime Minister in the world.
At this time, the country became a democratic republic, changing from Ceylon back to its origins – Sri Lanka.
With garment production, tourism, tea and gemstones being the top four economic earners in the country, the reliance on spices has decreased.
The CWA Beaufort group is made up of branches from Waubra, Avoca, Ararat, Stawell, Beaufort and Lilyana (also in Beaufort).
President of Waubra Branch, Catherine Hayes showcased her superb cooking skills preparing an exceptional Sri Lankan meal which everyone enjoyed immensely.
Craft and cooking entries were with a Sri Lankan theming with Lyn Harvey of Beaufort Branch winning the craft for her woven cushion cover and Jarna Kelly also of Beaufort the cooking for her dessert dish – Aluwa.
One of the initiatives highlighted by the Group President Kate Tol at the meeting is the CWA Household Financial Relief Program; a program funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by the Victorian CWA.
Grants of $1,000 are available to farming families in need. Applications can be made online by visiting the CWA Victoria website - https://cwaofvic.org.au/.
The group gatherings held twice a year are an excellent opportunity for sharing and learning from each other.