TWO influential Country Women's Association (CWA) of WA members were awarded with high honours at last week's annual conference.
Marianne Nilsson, York, and Vivienne Rowney, Kings Park, were both made life members for their hard work and dedication in their long-time roles in the organisation.
Ms Nilsson had been a member of the CWA for nearly 30 years.
She joined the Murchison CWA in 1986 after moving to the mining town of Leinster with her husband.
Ms Nilsson said the couple's careers in mining took them all over the country and overseas - and in every new place she would immediately transfer to the nearest CWA branch.
Ms Nilsson said the CWA was a fantastic organisation and she was thoroughly pleased with her life membership.
"I was very surprised, it was kept a secret from us and I just couldn't believe it, I think I'm still in shock," she said.
"I have met so many wonderful women over the years and it has been wonderful being able to get involved and help out each community I have lived in.''
Ms Nilsson said a stand out time in her long CWA career was when she was part of the Westrail taskforce.
She was living in Bullfinch and Westrail, now TransWa, was seeking community feedback for its rail services.
"As the CWA, we gave the women and children's perspective and there were considerable changes made from that feedback," she said.
"It was a lovely experience to be a part of that, we really made changes that made a difference."
Mr Nilsson said the CWA was as relevant today as it was back then.
"We really need to encourage young women to get involved again," she said.
"When the CWA started it was set up for young women with young children, we seem to have lost that now.
"But those are the people we need to start welcoming back in."
Ms Rowney said she was honoured and humbled by the experience of becoming a life member.
Ms Rowney has been a member of the CWA since 1988.
She started out employed as the minute secretary for the organisation and at one time was also the general secretary for the Willetton/Leeming Branch.
She was instrumental in setting up the Kings Park branch.
"It is overwhelming to be awarded a life membership," Ms Rowney said.
"I look around the room and there are so many women who have done so much and given so much to the CWA that I am very humbled to be picked.
"I am very passionate about the CWA, it is a wonderful organisation and there is something for everyone.
"Over the years I have found it isn't just about what we can do for the CWA, but what the CWA can do for us."
