THE SA Country Women’s Association state president seat is no strange place for Roslyn Schumann.
The Darke Peak member previously held the position from 1999 to 2002.
Despite returning for a second term, Mrs Schumann said there was always a mixture of emotions stepping into the leadership role.
“It's a very fulfilling feeling when you've had a voice and tried to change something,” she said.
Mrs Schumann aimed to give members a chance to have a say in matters and influence what was happening in their communities.
She joined the CWA in 1974 and has a passion for workshops and meetings.
“Everyone talks about our friendships, but for me that's a real bonus because I know I've got friends around the state and all over the world,” she said.
Outgoing president Linda Bertram said the CWA was a “huge part” of her life.
She first joined the association in the early 1980s while living in the Riverland.
During the past three years, Mrs Bertram has aided in recruiting new and younger members into the association, along with introducing a number of new branches.
The newest associations include Uraidla & Districts, Angaston Evening and Freeling Hayfields.
“The association is opening a lot of new branches with younger and working women across the state,” Mrs Bertram said.
“Many are evening meetings due to the huge number of women that have to work.”
Mrs Bertram said it was important to attract younger women for the future of the association as well as the future for communities in rural and remote areas.
She said any branches that opened across the state would boost rural and remote communities.
Domestic violence policy launched
INCREASING concerns about domestic violence have led the SACWA to adopt a new policy of their own.
The decision, made at the association’s state council meeting on Thursday last week, was adopted by more than 100 delegates from across the state.
Mrs Bertram said as an association, they were worried about domestic violence and the new policy would aim to remind members they could speak out and seek help.
The association also supported the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s draft decision not to allow domestic mobile roaming.
“We have also put in a second submission,” Mrs Bertram said.
“We feel it's awfully important to the future of our communications.”