More than 40 federation members, leaders, and New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institutes national president Jude Vaughan gathered for a celebration earlier this month at the Mosgiel RSA.
The event included a chance to view memorabilia and the cutting of a celebration cake made by Sunshine WI member Jo Knowles.
The Eastern Otago Federation of Women’s Institutes represents a grouping of five local WIs, including Kia Ora Katoa, Port Chalmers, Peninsula Bays, Tomahawk/Burkes/St Leonards and Sunshine (Musselburgh) institutes.
Eastern Otago Federation WI 70th birthday organising committee members Cynthia Duncan, Jo Kilgour, Alison Moodie, Mary Fahey, Yvonne Preston, Pat Harvey and Julie Robinson worked together for months to create a fun event.
Eastern Otago Federation WI president Cynthia Duncan said WI had been in New Zealand since 1921, and the Eastern Otago Federation had been formed in 1954. At its height, there were 18 member clubs.
The central philosophy of Women’s Institutes had always been to benefit families and the community, while also empowering women, Mrs Duncan said.
Among the recipients of donations recently had been K9MD, St John health shuttle service, Breast Cancer Foundation, the rescue helicopter, and more.
Other projects included baking for people in need, making comfort packs for people in the emergency department, knitting and making blankets, beach clean-ups and more.
"WI members don’t just get together to sit and eat scones, we are very much a service organisation," she said.
"And although we are getting older and our numbers are dwindling, the fun and friendship remains the same."
• For information, email joanne-kilgour@yahoo.com.
