CWA

Meeting Times

Formed in 2017, our branch now has over 40 active members. We meet on the 1st Monday of the month at 7.30pm at the Gleeson Centre in Darebin Parklands (just at the end of Separation Street). Keen to find out more or join in? You can email us at cwaofvicalphington@gmail.com.

about the cwa

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria began in 1928 and today has approximately 5,000 members. Each member belongs to one of 300 branches across Victoria, that maintains its own program and is empowered to meet community needs as well as supporting state-wide initiatives.

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria Inc. is an organisation of women supporting women, children and families right across Victoria.

It’s a vibrant, volunteer philanthropic organisation with a focus on friendship, personal development and advocacy. We have day, night and weekend branches to cater for your needs.

We encourage members to support each other, make a difference in their communities and advocate on community issues, sustainable development and the protection of the environment, and social issues.

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria awards education grants and scholarships to non-members and members, while providing training and leadership opportunities to members.

As a member of the Country Women’s Association of Victoria, you’re also part of a global network of women via the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), which has non-government organisation status with several United Nations agencies.

cyber security session

On Monday 3 March 2025 Senior Constable Andrew Morton from the Preston Police presented a session on Cyber Security to our members and community members at the Alphington Bowls Club. Andy very kindly shared the following tips / recommendations:

We live in challenging times but with some simple strategies we can keep safe too.  Key points:

• Unique email and passphrase for banking (20 digits+) but ideally use an authenticator with no passphrase at all!

• Keep savings in an account that has no immediate transaction access and keep withdrawal limits to minimum

• Have a codeword for your telco provider to ensure that no one can port your phone number

• Treat every email and click as suspicious. If it claims urgency, do the opposite and take a breath

• Your voice is no longer your identify. Keep everything online private not public settings

• If you have not met them in person, they are not are your friend

• Be wary of what you share with AI ‘friends’ – they can act without your approval

• Protect your ID such as drivers licence as it carries almost everything someone needs to steal your identity.  [Andy suggested to NOT carry your licence in your wallet.  If you are over 25 years old it is not an offence to drive without your licence.]

• Its likely your details are already being traded on the dark web. They want to build up your profile to sell to others so answer no phone calls you do not recognise.

• Check the padlock on a website and utilise scam watch before you shop

• Be careful what you download on any ‘app store’ such as Google Play. Some apps can have back door code activate while you sleep

• Never click on pop up ‘IOS’ updates or similar that bypass your phone security

• Use a VPN and never use public wifi

• Be wary of QR codes stickered over leading to a malicious malware

 Key websites

• Scamwatch

• Have I been pwned

• How secure is my password

alphington Show

The Alphington Show brings a little bit of country to the city. In 2023 we were delighted to be judging the home industries categories, hosting the Devonshire Teas and running a craft stall as part of the Makers Market. Due to building works at the Community Centre the 2024 Show was deferred. We are very pleased to be partnering with the Alphington Community Centre again to present the Show on Saturday 29 March 2025. Get your Exhibition entries in on Friday 28 March 2025 for judging by CWA’s Member of Honour Noela Maclead AO.

CWA High TEA - RETURNING 2026

Laos Fabrics project

Alphington Branch member Loretta is working in Laos, visiting remote villages assisting women to re-establish fabric weaving once undertaken by their mothers and grandmothers.  The Alphington Branch purchased fabrics from these women and is transforming them into items for sale on their stalls.  These beautiful items will be available from September 2023 and during August will be on display at the Fairfield Library.

A win / win - the ladies in Laos are receiving money to re-stablish their weaving businesses to support their families, and the sale of the finished items in Alphington supports vulnerable women, children and families in our area.