Gabrielle’s membership milestone with Bacchus Marsh CWA

WHEN Gabrielle Shanahan turned up at the recent annual meeting of the Bacchus Marsh CWA branch, she was not expecting the surprise she got.

What Mrs Shanahan got was an official presentation of a certificate acknowledging her 60 years of CWA membership, handed to her by Ballarat District Group president Rhonda O’Brien.

Another branch member, Yvonne Spargo, received her 20-year membership certificate from Ms O’Brien before it was Mrs Shanahan’s turn.

“I didn’t really take any notice, but then she said she had one for me,” she said. “I thought, I think I’ve already got most of them.”

Mrs Shanahan already has 10, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50-year membership certificates, and is also a life member of CWA Victoria, receiving that recognition in 2013.

“I did mention it (the 60-year milestone) when my 50 years were up, and somebody said the CWA hasn’t got records back that far,” she said.

For the 80-year-old, who lives at Myrniong, the CWA has been virtually a lifelong interest.

“I grew up at Leopold, out of Geelong, and my mother was in the CWA there,” she said.

“I used to tag along to everything with her, and when I went to work I paid up my subs – that was in 1965. So I became an official member then.”

Mrs Shanahan and her late husband Patrick Shanahan ultimately moved to Myrniong, and Mrs Shanahan expressed an interest in continuing her CWA activities.

Mr Shanahan, who was heavily involved in local community groups, knew somebody in the Bacchus Marsh branch and connected his wife and the branch in 1974.

Mrs Shanahan has held all committee positions with the branch at one time or another during her more-than 50 years as a member.

Explaining what drew her to the CWA, Mrs Shanahan said: “The companionship of the other women is one thing, and the other thing is being able to assist in the community.

“It unites the entire state, really. You make a lot of contacts within the community.”

Mrs Shanahan specialises in basketry and makes her own creations from Lerderderg River rushes. She teaches other members the skill and has even won the CWA state exhibition’s Swan Cup for the craft on numerous occasions.

As for her future with the branch, Mrs Shanahan said she has no plans to cut back on her attendance and activities.

“I’ll go as long as I’m able,” she said. “Next Thursday is craft day, and God willing I’ll be there.”