Mrs McPherson is the local branch’s longest acting member and an important part of the organisation.
CWA president Anne Wescott said Mrs McPherson was a delightful lady who doesn’t want to be in the limelight.
“She is a prolific knitter and crocheter, particularly baby clothing and rugs,” Ms Wescott said.
“A lot of the rugs she made have been donated to Mercy Hospital in Albury.
“She has taught her children the skills she's learnt and is a regular at every meeting.”
Mrs McPherson said at first, she was surprised to receive a commemorative medal.
“The Federation Council mayor was there, awarding 10 and 20 years of service badges to people and I thought ‘I never got any of those’,” Mrs McPherson said.
“And when she came up to 50 years, I was the only one; I was very proud.”
Originally from Kensington, Melbourne, Mrs McPherson has lived in Corowa with her husband Neville since 1972.
Only three months after making the move, she was introduced to the CWA while on a night out with her husband.
“I became a member of Lorelei, which was a women’s evening branch, after my husband invited me to a fashion parade at the golf club,” she said.
“Way back when you had to be nominated to join, the association secretary at the fashion parade looked at me and probably thought, ‘oh she’ll do’.”
When Lorelei and the Corowa branch merged, Mrs McPherson become an integral part of the Corowa CWA.
Throughout 53 years of service, she has served as club president in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994, as vice-president three times, and as treasurer in 12 alternating years.
Her passion for the association was not only for the local branch in Corowa.
When she and Neville travelled around Australia in their caravan, she would visit and join branches in the area she was staying in.
Mrs McPherson’s latest CWA project is knitting poppies in preparation for Remembrance Day in November.
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