Centenary celebrations

Kalangadoo Women’s Branch of the Agricultural Bureau to mark 100 years of making a difference

It might only boast a current membership of four but the Kalangadoo Women’s Branch of the Agricultural Bureau is determined to celebrate its 100th anniversary in style.

It was on August 11, 1923, that 16 ladies banded together to form what was the fourth branch established in South Australia and the first in the South East.

While membership numbers might have waxed and waned, the group has run continuously since its inception and is the oldest women’s group still running in either South Australia or Victoria.

And while tales of the early years include some spectacular cooking, right from its early days, it was about so much more and throughout the ensuing decades, Kalangadoo Branch of the now Women in Agriculture & Business, has been very active in the community and in educating and entertaining themselves.

Many women from the district have at one time held a membership of the group, not only working towards a more informed agricultural and business society but also forming long lasting friendships.

Current president Sandra Young said early records show it was their culinary skills that made the first impression when on that August day, the Kalangadoo Women’s Branch of the Agricultural Bureau was officially welcomed by David W Tucker, representing MR J Finnis of Adelaide, who could not attend with men’s branch president Duncan McCorquindale was all about the cooking skills of the newly formed women’s group.

“He moved a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies for the dainty afternoon tea,” Mrs Young said. “However, the women were not there merely to provide afternoon tea. They wanted to educate themselves and contribute to the community.”

The first meeting still followed traditional meeting rules, voting in a President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer and setting a two shillings annual membership fee, to cover the hire o the hall for their afternoon meetings on the second Saturday of each month.

“They also paid for freight for a ‘dead box’ where they could pass messages to each other,” Mrs Yung said. “It was decided to share recipes and at the next meeting and Mrs Evans promised to write a paper on dairying. They were, indeed, an independent bunch of women.”

It is this history and everything the group has achieved over 100 years that the current members are determined to celebrate and they have set down August 9 this year to mark that 100 years of continual service of the Kalangadoo WAB to the community and to the rural women of our Limestone Coast Region.

The event is being supported by a generous donation from Kalangadoo Lions and will be opened by the Wattle Range Council Mayor Des Noll with other dignitaries present.

The theme will be 1920s and so suitable attire is encouraged. There will be a high morning tea, unveiling of a seat, displays and memorabilia, a roll call, a murder mystery play, jazz music and a 1920s lunch. The day will begin at 9.30am and end by 3.30pm.

Organisers are calling on all past members or families of past members to contact Debbie on 0438 393 133 for an invitation to join the celebration and/or contribute to the centenary anniversary party.

The group has set July 11 for RSVPs