| Lynne Mowbray The Maclean CWA rooms celebrated the official opening of their newly refurbished kitchen on Wednesday last week. Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis officially opened the new kitchen and congratulated the CWA members during a morning tea, which was held to mark the occasion. The refurbishment of the building which was built in 1956 included a new kitchen to replace the original kitchen. Maclean CWA president Leonie Skinner said that the back of the building was renovated to extend the kitchen. “It’s so much easier to work in there now and with better facilities we can do more catering now,” Ms Skinner said. “We’ve also had the roof restored and have new solar panels and we’ve added new storage cupboards and floor coverings in the main hall. “The renovations were made possible thanks to a NSW Government Community Building Projects grant of $30,000, plus a $10,000 grant from the NSW CWA office and a $35,000 loan from the NSW CWA State office, that we have to pay back over the next 10 years. “So there will be a lot more scones and cakes baked to pay that off, over the next 10 years,” she said. Apart from the CWA, the hall is utilised by a wide range of community groups. “We have seven permanent bookings throughout the week including the Soup Kitchen which is held on a Monday evening and the Baby Health Clinic on Tuesdays; which has been here in the building with us since we opened in 1956,” Ms Skinner said. “Other groups who use the hall include: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, U3A Marjong and the Evangelical Church on Sundays. “The Computer Club, Greater Maclean Action Group and the Greens, all have meetings at the hall and Mental Health, Black Dog Institute and First Aid all hold training days here as well. “So it’s a busy little hall. “All of this work we’ve been doing is not just for the CWA; it’s for the whole community,” she said. With the drought impacting heavily on our farming communities at the moment, the CWA is right there supporting them. “The CWA has a permanent drought relief program,” Ms Skinner said. “Anyone that would like to donate money, we will see that it goes straight to the CWA drought relief fund. “All our members out there are doing it tough. “We can’t distribute food parcels; we need to support the local stores in the towns to keep them open; that way, they can help each other,” she said. The Maclean CWA meets the second Wednesday of the month for a cuppa tea and meeting and new members are always welcome. “We have 14 members, 10 of whom are active,” she said. “Pop in and see what we’re all about – even if you don’t want to join.” For more information contact: Maclean CWA president Leonie Skinner on 0402 821 491.