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Members of the Warkworth Women’s Institute celebrated a milestone in their organisation’s history with a special luncheon at the Catholic Church Hall in Alnwick Street on May 9.
The celebration, which was deferred from last year due to Covid, marked the centenary of the NZ Federation of Women’s Institute.
Warkworth president Moria Dye says the institute’s aims remain the same as they were back when the federation was founded – to provide women with friendship and fun, opportunities to help their communities, and teach and share skills.
The Warkworth institute started 92 years ago.
“Once there were 28 clubs between the North Shore and Wellsford, now Warkworth is one of only four remaining.”
Over the years, the group has donated to numerous community organisations such as the Westpac Helicopter, St John Ambulance and Sweet Louise. This year’s chosen charity is Orange Sky, which provides a mobile shower and washing facilities for the homeless.
On a regular and ongoing basis, club members knit and crochet for the North Shore neonatal unit.
Moira puts the declining membership of clubs down to the fact that stay-at-home mothers are now a rarity.
The club meets in the Catholic Church Hall on the second Tuesday of the month, at 1.30pm. New members are always welcome.
Their cups runneth over
The closing of many Women’s Institute branches across Auckland has left Warkworth with a dilemma – what to do with all the silverware!
Warkworth has inherited trophies, cups and platters from many of these defunct clubs, most of which have been stored in large boxes in garages and under beds.
Warkworth Museum has advised the club that it can’t help, particularly since many of the items have no relevance to Warkworth.
The trophies stem from the days when clubs ran competitive flower shows, craft days and drama competitions. Inscriptions on the items show that much of the silverware dates back to the 1940s.
If a home can’t be found for the items, the club will take the silver to a silversmith in Silverdale to be melted down, with the proceeds going to charity.
