CWA of NSW conference highlights why advocacy groups are more important today than ever  splash

CWA of NSW conference highlights why advocacy groups are more important today than ever
How the CWA of NSW is tackling overlooked issues and amplifying rural voices in complex times

In this Insight column published in The Land, Robbie Sefton reflects on the power of community advocacy, spotlighting the CWA of NSW and its role in championing issues that often go unnoticed. From modern slavery to healthcare, the organisation’s work is a reminder of why grassroots voices are essential in shaping policy that truly reflects life in rural and regional communities.

05 June 2025

Insight from: Robbie Sefton

It’s been a big few months for the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW. I’ve watched with interest the campaign they’ve been running - ‘Find Your Place’ - to attract new members, recognising new people, ideas and perspectives is critical for any organisation to remain relevant and secure its future. And, last month, hundreds of members gathered in Wagga Wagga for the association’s annual conference, both a celebration of all that has contributed to the CWA of NSW for more than 100 years, and the forum where its policy priorities for the next 12 months are debated, and potentially endorsed.

The variety of motions always impresses me, and often informs me on issues that I may not have previously considered. Depending on where you live in remote, rural and regional NSW, the stage of life you’re in, your socio-economic position, cultural background - and the list goes on - some of the issues the CWA of NSW delegates discussed and debated during their four-day conference may not have entered your awareness. And this is why the association and its advocacy are so critical for the non-metropolitan areas of NSW.

While many of the health, telecommunications and agriculture motions may be common to most country regions, others drill down into concerns affecting particular areas or groups of people. The CWA of NSW has always been a voice for the bush, but most critically it speaks out on issues that may not necessarily grab headlines, but nonetheless are having an enormous impact on some country people, somewhere.  

One that caught my attention was a motion – that was endorsed by delegates – on supporting the work of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner and actively opposing all forms of modern slavery. Now, I’m sure many people wouldn’t have thought ‘slavery’ was an issue in 2025, and certainly wouldn’t have known NSW has an Anti-slavery Commissioner and was in fact the first state to pass standalone legislation on the issue and appoint someone to oversee it.

But, it is an issue in 2025 with thousands of workers, many from overseas, subjected to the likes of coercion by employers, terrible working conditions, unfair remuneration and even the withholding of passports. Unacceptable today in Australia but an issue that many would be unaware of but which the CWA of NSW has agreed to take forward in an effort to raise community awareness and encourage businesses in their communities to identify potential modern slavery practices within their supply chains.       

It is gratifying, too, to see the proliferation of ‘grass roots’ advocacy groups who are standing up and speaking out in an effort to not only draw the attention of our policy-makers, but ultimately shape their decision-making. It could be argued the challenges our society faces now have never been as big, or as varied, as they are today. From global warming and cost of living, to the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technology advances that are impacting every aspect of our lives, it’s a complex place we find ourselves in and we need voices beyond government and big business offering alternative opinions and speaking up for those in danger of being left behind.

The CWA of NSW has been enormously successful in doing this with integrity and authenticity for more than a century, leading by example and helping others find their voice in an increasingly noisy world.

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