It was like walking back in time at the Kalangadoo Hall last week for the 100-year celebration of the Kalangadoo Women in Agriculture and Business of South Australia Branch.
The Kalangadoo branch, which is the oldest active branch in Australia, celebrated the occasion with a themed get together.
Those in attendance donned long frocks, hair feathers, hats, scarves, furs and stoles symbolic of the era, while the menfolk wore their top hats and tails.
The day kicked off with a high tea with all the trimmings and tea served in china cups by male waiters.
Branch president Sandra Young welcomed more than 80 people to the event, with attendees travelling from all over South Australia.
Ms Young also welcomed guests Wattle Range mayor Des Noll and his wife Shari along with WAB state president Narelle Brooksby who performed her final official duty in the role after four years in the position.
Mayor Noll officially opened celebrations after speaking on the origin and history of the Kalangadoo WAB and was full of praise for Ms Young, branch secretary Debbie Guenther and their very small committee for coordinating the event.
The earliest member present was Suzette Crawford who joined the branch in 1963, with the latest member to join being Susan Hickey in 2021.
Mount Gambier’s Maureen Case was invited to cut the birthday cake as a thank you for an album she had created and donated to the Kalangadoo branch documenting its 80th birthday celebrations.
Former members Cecily Auld (1983), Rochelle Monoghan (2009) and Ms Guenther (2016) addressed the gathering with some funny anecdotes from throughout their time as members.
Following a few laughs and lots of chatter, those attending ventured outside to unveil a bench seat which had been donated to the branch by the Kalangadoo Lions Club and was inscripted with a commemorative plaque.
The celebrations continued with plenty of jazz music along with sherries and apple juice prior to a 1920s themed two course lunch.
This was followed by several branch members joining with guests to perform in a 1923 mystery murder play, which kept the audience on its toes and provided plenty of laughter.
There was a roll call from 1923 of Kalangadoo members, awards and in other WAB branches in South Australia awards were held.
The WAB song was sung which was followed by the cutting of a celebration cake.
The following day the state WAB annual meeting was held with Sandra Wischki from the Charlton branch taking over as the new president.
Apologies on the day were received from Member for Barker Tony Pasin and Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Clare Scriven who conveyed their best wishes for the celebrations and congratulated all involved in organising such an important event.
