IN a bushfire emergency, it is the Country Women’s Association who keeps the home-cooked food flowing to weary fire-fighters, volunteers and evacuees.
Margaret River CWA secretary Lynn Jones is a third generation member of the vital community group which is now in it 81st year. She said a catering contingency plan was now being finalised in preparation for the upcoming bushfire season.
In the event of an emergency, Mrs Jones rallies her troops calling on CWA branches in Rosabrook, Rosa Glen-Witchcliffe, and Augusta to provide a mountain of sandwiches and scones, soup, sausage rolls and her famous meatballs. CWA also provides blankets, clothes, help with children and moral support.
Mrs Jones has reputation as great cook and has a canny knack of being able to estimate accurate food proportions per person.
“I have been catering for 35 years so I know who to call, what to make and where to set-up,” said Mrs Jones.
Evacuated during last year’s fires, Lyn said Margaret River CWA was not called on to provide refreshments after a communication breakdown resulted in catering coming from other sources.
“We were ready to mobilise our groups but the call never came, and then unfortunately I was evacuated. As I understand it the food provided was not what CWA would have served,” she said.
“CWA recognises that good-home cooked food is vital for morale and stamina when people are battling an emergency situation,” she said.
Mrs Jones welcomed new members and any kind of food or monetary donations. Call 9757 2256.
Check out photos from the 2011 bushfires here.