East Keilor’s Noela Macleod has visited Government House many times over the years, but the most recent trip may have been the most special.
Ms Macleod was recognised for a lifetime of service to the Country Women’s Association (CWA) at the Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards recently, one of 19 winners in the service category from a shortlist of more than 300.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard I’d been shortlisted,” Ms Macleod said.
“I go to Government House every year on Australia Day to bake scones for the function there, but this was the most nervous I’ve been in a long time there.
“It was good to share that moment with my family.”
Ms Macleod first joined the CWA in 1972, when she moved her young family to the tiny rural town of Chiltern. It began a lifetime association with the group, with which she has served as secretary, treasurer, group president, state president and national president, as well as on numerous committees. She is currently volunteering as the state archivist.
“The group in Chiltern was very welcoming to me from the early days, and it was one of the few places I could take young children, as I had three girls under six,” Ms Macleod said.
“It’s very important in a rural community to get involved, and I kept that up when we came back to Melbourne when the girls were at uni.
“I’ve made wonderful friends at every group I’ve been part of.”
While Ms Macleod is well known in the CWA as a noted handicraft and homecraft expert, writing six recipe books for the organisation, she says her work with the international arm of the organisation (Associated Country Women of the World) has given her the most pride.
“There’s more than nine million members worldwide in that group,” she said. “Helping women and families in communities around the world, and empowering women from developing nations, so they can have a voice, has been one of the things that’s pleased me the most.
“We take it for granted in this country that we can speak out without fear or favor, but it’s not like that everywhere, unfortunately.”
With 21 grandchildren now on the scene, Ms Macleod is keen to pass on her life lessons to the next generation.
“Two of the older girls have asked me to teach them to sew this Christmas, so that’s my next task,” she said.
“I’m very happy helping to mentor some of the young women coming through to take my place. I believe it’s important to pass on the baton and keep the organisation growing.”
