From the Newsroom

Local News

Glenreagh Public School children join with members of the Glenreagh CWA branch, Community Liaison Officer, Eliza Walker (second from right) and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis to welcome the funding to deliver a cooking on a budget program. Image: Contributed.

CWA and school students form key ingredients for success

Every parent reminds their child to “eat their greens” at least once, each week.

And now, a clever collaboration between the Glenreagh Country Women’s Association (CWA) and Glenreagh Public School could be the recipe for success. It’s already won the backing of the Nationals in NSW Government, with a special $2640 grant which Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis announced during a school assembly last week.

“The ladies of the Glenreagh CWA Branch are going to run cooking on a budget classes for your parents,” Mr Gulaptis told the children. “Dinner at home is about to get even yummier and healthier, and mum and dad will save a little on shopping.” Describing the collaboration as “a brilliant idea”, Mr Gulaptis said it was so innovative that there were no obvious ways to fund it.

Until he phoned a friend.

“I called my friend Sarah Mitchell, who is the Nationals Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning in the NSW Government, and fortunately, she shared my enthusiasm and allocated discretionary funds to get the project under way,” Mr Gulaptis said, adding the school’s community liaison officer Eliza Walker along with a few others, had the put the eminently sensible proposal together.

“This sort of can-do attitude absolutely deserves modest support from the public purse,” Mr Gulaptis said. “If it is as successful as we all hope, it could be replicated in many other communities across NSW.” The lessons will be held on Thursday mornings at the Glenreagh CWA meeting rooms with six to eight participants who will be able to take home what they have prepared for their family to dine on. It is also aimed at encouraging healthy eating habits amongst school students.