Wagga is facing the closure of its 97-year-old branch of the Country Women's Association.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While the city would still have a CWA presence in the form of the Wagga evening branch, there is a possibility the familiar association rooms in Johnston Street will have to be sold off.
The Wagga branch is, at the moment, in recess, but secretary Denise Fergusson - the only current office bearer - is hoping to rally enough new members to help save it.
"It would be catastrophic to lose the branch and the rooms," Mrs Fergusson said.
"It was once a very vibrant branch. I think people got sick, people got old and people got complacent, that's all.
"I left for five years and went up to Queensland to live and when I came back, I was shocked.
"I think we need to get some more enthusiasm into the branch and let people know it's not just cooking and handicrafts - you do not have to do that."
Mrs Fergusson points to the CWA's recent drought relief fundraising efforts and locally based campaigns for a public cancer care centre in Wagga as the kind of activities the CWA has been involved in.
A meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 12, from 1pm in the Johnston Street CWA rooms to attempt to restart the Wagga branch.
"It would be a very, very sad day if it collapsed," Mrs Fergusson said.
"I think we just need some other people - any age - to just put a little bit of enthusiasm back into the branch and get motivated.
"I'm hoping we can let people know that we are in trouble and need some support."
CWA members will also hold a display in the Wagga Marketplace between 10am and 4pm from Monday, February 3, to Friday, February 7.
The Wagga branch was formed in November 1923, and the current rooms, which overlook the intersection of Johnston and Trail streets, were opened in 1959.
The building has, at various times, been tea and rest rooms and a baby health centre.
At one time, there was permanent hostess on site, and the on-site accommodation was peviously even made available to people travelling to Wagga from out of town for medical treatment.
While the Wagga branch has been struggling to boost its numbers, the news has not been all bad for the CWA statewide.
In the 2018-19 financial year, the organisation recorded an increase in membership for the second year in a row.
At the end of September, membership numbers stood at ,441 with 378 branches, an increase of about 300 members. Seven new branches were formed in that 12 months.