Adam Marshall recognises the CWA in Bingara
From Adam Marshall’s website –
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall at the CWA Centenary monument in Bingara, where the NSW heritage Blue Plaque will be fixed, honouring the life of CWA founder Mrs Grace Emily Munro MBE.
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today congratulated the community of Bingara, which has been honoured with one of the State’s first heritage ‘Blue Plaques’, honouring the life of the founder of the NSW Country Women’s Association, Mrs Grace Emily Munro MBE.
Mr Marshall said the Blue Plaque recognised Mrs Munro’s significant contribution to the CWA and to the rich history of country NSW. “Mrs Munro served as the first President of the NSW Country Women’s Association and created ongoing foundational support for isolated regional women and children,” Mr Marshall said. “She lived on the property ‘Keera Station’, near Bingara, and experienced first-hand the isolation and lack of services in the region. Mrs Munro campaigned tirelessly for much-needed resources and funding for hospitals and women’s restrooms across the state.”
Mr Marshall said the Blue Plaque was a tremendous honour which recognised Grace Munro’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of rural women. “Alongside Florence Gordon, she organised the first Bushwomen’s Conference at the Royal Easter Show in April 1922,” he said. “From there, she was a driving force behind the Country Women’s Association as we know it today. The Bushwomen’s Conference fundamentally changed New South Wales and Queensland and Grace’s legacy is etched into the fabric of our community.”
Mr Marshall encouraged locals and those passing through Bingara to have a look at the Blue Plaque and the CWA Centenary monument. “In dedicating this plaque to Grace Emily Munro, we honour a woman who was the driving force behind the Country Women’s Association,” he said. “Her leadership paved the way for a legacy that continues to impact the lives of regional Australian women.” Mr Marshall said that Mrs Munro’s Blue Plaque was chosen from 117 nominations made by the NSW public and assessed by independent historians. “The 14 plaques chosen in this round of the State Government’s Blue Plaques NSW program join an elite group of just 35 already in place, Blue Plaques NSW celebrates well-known characters many of us are familiar with, but also brings attention to lesser-known stories of people and events that shaped a particular community, town, or field of work or study.”
Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe said the second round Blue Plaques recognised the diverse individuals, events and perspectives that make the history of NSW so intriguing. “Whether you’re exploring Sydney’s CBD or taking a drive off the beaten track to regional towns like Grafton and Pambula, there’s a Blue Plaque for you to discover,” Ms Sharpe said. “The installation of each new plaque brings added interest to the heritage of an area, encouraging locals to explore their backyards, and inviting those from further afield to learn more about the history of these communities.”