The Country Women’s Association of NSW’s Wallerawang-Lidsdale branch has launched its annual Awareness Week campaign (3 – 10 September 2016), and has this year chosen to highlight the significant impact a lack of connectivity is having on their community.
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President of the Wallerawang-Lidsdale branch Margaret Henning says a lack of internet connectivity goes well beyond ‘annoying’. It severely hinders people’s ability to conduct business, as well as access education and healthcare — specifically mental health services — and can contribute to higher crime rates in regional and rural areas.
“The digital age is well and truly upon us, but unfortunately our community is not seeing the benefits. A lack of connectivity results in barriers to growth for our farmers and small business operators; barriers to a quality education for our students; and barriers to health services for our entire community,” said Mrs Henning.
According to the University of Canberra’s 2015 Regional Wellbeing Survey, only 37 per cent of rural and regional Australians felt they had good access to high-speed internet, with regional NSW the worst affected.
“While we may be famous for our tea and scones, baking is not our only passion,” said Mrs Henning.
“For many decades the CWA of NSW has been lobbying the state government and industry bodies to ensure the right decisions are made for our state. Connectivity is something which resonates strongly with our members, it’s at the heart of what we do – bringing together the community and improving services for women and their families.
As part of CWA of NSW Awareness Week, Wallerawang-Lidsdale branch will be running a stall at the Rydal Daffodil Festival on Sunday, 11 September from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Local women interested in joining the Wallerawang-Lidsdale branch of the CWA of NSW can contact the Branch President, Mrs Margaret Henning on 02 6355 1160 or Branch Secretary, Mrs Kay Adams on 02 6351 3626. Meetings are held at 10.00 am on the second Monday of the month at the CWA Rooms, Tweedie Street, Wallerawang.
