At the conference, Far South Coast group representative and Bega member Stephanie Stanhope was elected as state vice-president.

Among the 900 who attended the conference were local delegates Daphne Sweeney and Margaret Warren plus a number of FSC group members.

For over 93 years the Country Women’s Association of NSW has been working to improve the living conditions of women and their families. 

Members lobby and conduct campaigns on issues determined at the annual State Conferences.

Professor Mary O’Kane, NSW chief scientist and engineer, delivered the keynote address at the official opening.

Other speakers were Natalie Isaacs, founder and co-CEO of 1 Million Women and Edwina Beveridge, the 2014 NSW-ACT RIRDC Rural Women’s Award runner-up and deputy chair of the NSW Farmers Pork Committee.

Executive director of Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia Karen Willis also conducted an open information session.

Among the motions passed were two regarding the use of medicinal marijuana.

Delegates voted to support the use of medicinal marijuana; and to support the legalisation of the growing, manufacture and distribution of marijuana for medicinal purposes only.

It was also decided the specific health research fund annual project for 2015-2016 be Lyme disease.

In addition, in the area of health, a motion by the Moruya branch (Far South Coast group) that “organ donor” be reinstated on individual NSW drivers’ licences was passed.

In relation to transport and telecommunications a motion by Narooma branch was passed that future road safety campaigns should address the responsible use of high beam headlights, and the legal and responsible use of fog lights and driving lights.

Other motions debated this year included:

That government funding is made available to investigate the health effects of e-cigarettes and that adequate government funding continues to be made available to help landholders to eradicate the wild dog problem in NSW.

Members also spoke about their concerns relating to the topical issue of food labelling with three related motions on the agenda.

NEWLY elected CWA state vice-president Stephanie Stanhope of the Bega CWA branch is looking forward to her new role.

The CWA is a widely respected lobby group on current issues facing the nation and has successfully lobbied government for change in the past.

Ms Stanhope said she is especially interested in the political interaction this position presents.

"It will be a massive learning curve for me," Ms Stanhope said.

"I had thought about joining the state executive, then someone asked me would I do it, and that was the little shove I needed."

She said being appointed to the CWA state executive is an honour.

"It expands your horizons...we make decisions we think will be beneficial for the state and families.

"It's quite an influential organisation in its own way, so it's a role I'm looking forward to," Ms Stanhope said.

"I've met some amazing women on various executives since being involved with the CWA.

"When you look back at what they have actually achieved it's impressive.

"They are quiet achievers, not a lot of people know that the CWA is responsible for many of today’s important social changes."

In addition to attending the annual state conference, the executive meets in Sydney three times a year.

"It should be a wonderful journey," Ms Stanhope said.