Changing Women: The Country Women's Association of NSW as a Learning Site

Abstract

The paper investigates my research into the many and varied ways in which the Country Women's Association of New South Wales educates women in its membership, their families, and the wider public. My research utilises several areas of adult education theory to investigate the way women learn in, and are educated by, their service and leisure organisations. The CWA is one of the major focuses of the research and Mezirow's theory of transformative learning is emerging as a significant vehicle of change in the lives of its members. In addition to that, the social capital accrued by the CWA is bringing public recognition of the value and relevance of the organisation. This is especially so, at the time of this writing, with the recent broadcast of an ABC series on the CWA. In the paper I will show the way that the Country Women's Association is educating the public to transform its perception of a 'tea and scones' image to one of a relevant and active organisation. The renewed image is of a community of women which brings enrichment and even change to the lives of both rural and city members alike through the learning which takes place in their lives.