Karen Byrne wears many hats for the CWA and is passionate about rural health. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Karen Byrne has been nominated as Griffith Citizen of the Year 2026 for her tireless work for the Country Women’s Association (CWA) for the past 10 years.
The 46-year-old is the organisation’s vice-president, publicity officer, hall hire manager, head of fundraising and head of its centenary committee.
Despite her many hats, she was surprised to be in the running for the prestigious Griffith City Council Australia Day Award.
“I still have no idea who nominated me,” Ms Byrne said.
“I haven’t done anything special, there’s a lot of people who have done so much more than me.”
The timing for the CWA couldn’t be better, though, as the organisation launched by town pioneer Nancy Blumer in 1926 celebrates its centenary this year.
“We turn 100 on 22 August; we are doing a big luncheon at Romeo & Julieta,” Ms Byrne said.
CWA members do much more than baking, but they bake so well. Photo: CWA Facebook.
Ms Byrne grew up in Adelaide and relocated to Griffith when her husband’s farming work brought her here.
“When I moved here, I was so out of my depth,” she said.
“I joined the CWA as it was a way to make friends and meet people who have similar interests. There’s something for everyone; it’s not just a group of old ladies who sit around with tea and scones having a chat.
“We do cook, but there’s also publicity, standing for different causes, getting involved in book clubs and having someone to teach you different skills.”
In addition to the baking, the CWA has played a major role as a rural advocate over the past century and helped bring about change — such as the establishment of maternity services and baby health services in small towns.
Ms Byrne wants to continue that tradition.
“I come from Adelaide, where we have all the services. But here in Griffith, you have to travel two hours to Wagga or six hours to Sydney for basic medical services,” she said.
“I’m passionate about improving our health services. The hospital is doing the best they can, but there isn’t the support that we all need to keep families in rural towns.”
As the CWA’s youngest member, Ms Byrne would also like to see more women in their 20s and 30s join the cause.
“There’s no age range, it’s open to everyone,” she said. ”It’s harder to get younger people involved. Everyone still has the grandma stereotypes. I’d like to see more younger women. We hold meetings every second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm, which is accessible to women who work.
“You don’t have to come to every meeting and you don’t have to be at every event we hold. We know that people have a life outside the CWA, but it’s important people get involved so we don’t lose all we have achieved.”
Ms Byrne has been nominated for Griffith Citizen of the Year alongside Janice Bavaresco, Patricia (Pat) Cox, Libby Trembath, Anthony (Tony) Catanzariti, Michelle Hutchison, Pat Zandona, Glennis Damini and disability service Kurrajong — Hugh Taylor, Nicole Williams, Teresa Gullo, Rebecca-Lyn Ruidiger, Zoey Frizel, and Erin Docherty. Australia Day Award winners will be announced during the Australia Day Award ceremony on Monday, 26 January, 2026, from 10:30 am at Griffith Regional Theatre.
