Branch president, Ann Apthorpe welcomed local Cowra author, Julie Bayl, who spoke about how she came to write her historical family memoir, 'A Focus on Survival'.
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The book describes the lives of some very ordinary people, being Ben and Em Bayl and family, who endured life under German Nazi Occupation in Holland during WW2.
Julie spent five to six years listening to her mother-in-law, Em, recounting her personal stories from that time before starting to write her book.
Conditions for families were very harsh.
Extreme food shortages, no heating, no electricity, washing nappies in cold water without soap and no transport including no bikes allowed.
Mother-in-law, Em, was a midwife so was allowed to have a bicycle. People mostly lived on barley porridge. Many endured famine conditions.
Julie's father in-law, Ben, was a professional photographer, a skill which he put to good use when helping the Dutch resistance get passport photos.
This involved considerable risk so the family and the people who were being helped suffered some hair-raising experiences.
Ben had to stay in hiding as able bodied men were forced to go to Germany to work. His hiding place was not discovered despite several searches.
Julie read out selected excerpts describing some of these tense moments.
Branch Secretary, Cheryl McAlister thanked Julie for a very enlightening talk and presented her with a posy of flowers arranged by Kaye Kilby.
'A Focus on Survival' is available for purchase at Cowra Visitor's Centre.
Another significant moment during the meeting was the presentation of Certificates and Long-Service Bars to Louise Packer and Maureen Griffiths to signify their 20 years of continuous active membership of CWA of NSW.
For those looking for a unique gift for Mother's Day have a look at the lovely vintage aprons made by some of our members which are for sale at April Troy's 'The Apiary Art & Design' Gallery in Fitzroy Street.
