Australia's largest women's organisation - the Country Women's Association - emerged from the vision of a group of people, among them Florence Gordon, Women's Editor of the Stock & Station Journal, and Dr Richard Arthur, a reform-minded politician, who decided something needed to be one to unite women from the country.

With people from across NSW gathered in Sydney for the 1922 Royal Agricultural Show, a meeting was called and the CWA was founded. The CWA has expanded to all states and in 1945 the national organisation was formed.

In its century of service, the CWA has proudly represented the women of rural Australia, giving them and their families an enduring voice on issues affecting country communities.

Recent CWA advocacy has focused on the National Drought Strategy, alcohol research and improving rural mental health services. A significant contribution to Australian culture remains the CWA cookbook, a compilation of recipes and household hints from country women.