CWL Tasmania
CWL Tasmania will be holding its biennial Conference on 10 - 12 September, 2010, at the Mid-City Hotel, Corner Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets, Hobart. Members from throughout Tasmania will be attending.
For further details please contact State Secretary, Eris Smyth, email es866974@bigpond.net.au

CWL Western Australia
State AGM and Conference - Date Friday 22 October, 2010; Venue: Mary MacKillop Centre South Perth. Conference to be built around celebration of canonisation of Mary MacKillop
Further details are available from Margaret Ker ( State Secretary) (08) 9328 8978 passerella.dei@gmail.com

CWL Queensland
The Queensland State Conference is to be held in St George, Queensland from 15-17 September 2010

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44th Biennial National Conference in Perth, Western Austrlia,
31 August - 2 September 2009

With a great deal of anticipation, excitement and joy, National Council members arrived at the Novotel Langley hotel for the commencement of the CWLA (Inc.) National Council meeting held in conjunction with the 44th Biennial National Conference. National Chaplain, Father Laurence Murphy SDS celebrated the Eucharist for us - a fitting way to commence the meeting.

Two major items for discussion on the agenda were:

• The Constitution, where it was moved by Special Resolution, “that the revised Constitution and By-Laws of Catholic Women’s League Inc. be adopted”. After prayerful discussion, Member Organisations, by a show of hands, passed this motion unanimously.
• And secondly, the issue of Recommendations. In accordance with a motion passed at the CWLA (Inc.) National Conference 2007 in South Australia, “It was moved that Recommendations from MO’s for consideration at National Conference be presented at the National Council meeting in conjunction with the National Conference for discussion.”  It is not necessary to vote on recommendations - there was a lot of discussion and the outcomes will be dealt with by the Member Organisations.

National Bioethics Convenor, Mrs Margo Nancarrow did not seek re-election and was thanked for her work over past years as CWLA’s Bioethics Convenor.  Dr Anna Krohn from Victoria will be the new National Bioethics Convenor. 

The Opening Mass held at the Redemptorist Monastery Church was a wonderful spectacle. The entrance procession was led by Bishop Sproxton, National Chaplain Father Murphy SDS, Father Wally Kevis from Busselton and Father Michael Moore from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary followed by Member Organisation  banners and the members of the National Executive.  The beautiful singing was led by the Bunbury Diocesan Liturgical Choir under the direction of Mr Ian Mills. Family, friends and members enjoyed afternoon tea at Royal Park after the Mass - a most enjoyable finish to the day.

The 44th Biennial National Conference was officially opened by His Excellency, Dr Ken Michael AC, Governor of Western Australia who was accompanied by his wife Mrs Julie Michael. Dr Michael noted “I believe, the League is such an essential advocate for Catholic women – because it offers them camaraderie, support and encouragement throughout Australia – whether it be from our cities or the country and our remote regional areas. The work that you do has a multi-faceted and very important role because in educating and promoting the interest of Catholic women, we all in our communities, benefit from the contributions that these women – all of you - make to others. It is at the local branches, that much of the work is done to support campaigns such as Pink Ribbon Day, White Ribbon Day, Wrap with Love and many other genuinely worthy causes that help change our world at local, national and international levels”. “We are guided by our faith and supported by the power of prayer in all our personal endeavours and circumstances”.   Dr Michael then officially declared our Conference open.

We welcomed Mrs Tui Pasco National President of New Zealand, and Lucy Muru from Manus Island PNG who where present for the duration of the Conference - it was wonderful to have them with us.   

For three days, after morning liturgy, our time was spent listening to and being motivated by some truly wonderful guest speakers including our Keynote Speaker, Professor Celia Hammond vice Chancellor of Notre Dame University Fremantle; Mr Peter Dingle, Associate Professor in Health and Environment at Murdoch University;  Deb Perry (known as “Spoonsperry” after being judged a finalist on Channel 7’s “Australia’s Got Talent”) ensured that nobody fell asleep after lunch on Tuesday; the inspirational Kylie Forth who has completed an Arts Degree majoring in Linguistics and is now studying Law.  Kylie lost both her eyes when aged three and part of her leg when aged eight, due to cancer.

The Business Session led by Mrs Judith Parker ran very smoothly. There was Sharing in the Dioceses, with questions on membership, meeting procedures and ways of engaging women to join our organization - from all accounts a fruitful session.
Our National Convenors led us through some very important and challenging issues; WUCWO Board Member Brenda brought to our attention the joy that will await  all  who can journey to Jerusalem in  October  2010 for the WUCWO National Assembly celebrating 100 years of service.

It was moved by Tasmania and seconded by NSW that, acting on a proposal from Victoria and Wagga Wagga, the contribution from CWLA Inc. to the WUCWO Endowment Fund should consist of

1. A donation from CWLA Inc. equal to one (1) dollar per member for 2009 and
2. Donations from Member Organisations (if they so wish) and/or individuals.

 The closing date for such monies to be 30 November 2009.

I extend my thanks and congratulate all who supported the National Raffle in any way. We were overwhelmed when all the tickets were sold by Monday lunch time. Lucky winners were drawn out at the conference dinner on Wednesday. 

On Monday evening CWLA members were invited to a Perth City Council Reception. Deputy Lord Mayor Mrs Janet Davidson graciously welcomed Delegates and members to the City of Perth, in the absence of the Lord Mayor who was unable to be present on the night.

The Closing Mass was celebrated by our National Chaplain Father Laurence, during which we re-dedicated ourselves as Catholic Women’s League members to our Patroness, Our Lady Help of Christians.

Wednesday evening saw all members in their finery attend the Conference Dinner at the Novotel Langley where we were treated to a delicious dinner and were entertained by Mr Fred Rea a wonderful singer of Irish songs and others as requested.

During our Conference days we were blessed in so many ways and we give thanks to God for all the graces received. The National Executive extends special thanks to WA State President Georgie Bruce-Smith and the members of CWL Western Australia for their love and support over the past eighteen months; to Bev Macri and Jan Batt  for co-ordinating  members and friends to knit, crochet, carve and sew resulting in a magnificent supply of craft for sale during the Conference.

Mrs Madge Fahy, as incoming National President, introduced the CWLA National Executive team from Victoria and Wagga Wagga  2010-2011.  We wish them God’s blessings and our love and support as they continue the work for Catholic Women’s League Australia. 

In Charity Work & Loyalty,

Karyn Kammann  -  National President (2008-2009)
October 2009

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