Robyn Atkins never expected to start a revolution.

But in just two years, she has helped grow Jamberoo’s Country Women’s Association (CWA) juniors from six members to a staggering 55.

It all started with a realisation: there were no young people entering the CWA’s famous handcraft, cookery or cultural competitions.

“I was sitting here with my sister Wendy and my friend Robin Alexander, and I said, ‘There’s no juniors! No one’s learning these skills anymore!’” Robyn recalls.

“We have all these amazing women with so much knowledge to pass on – knitting, sewing, cooking – and no one to teach.”

Determined to change that, Robyn started spreading the word.

She rallied support, reached out to local families, and before she knew it, the idea had taken on a life of its own.

“We started with six. Now, we have 55 kids, from five years old up to 18,” she says.

The community has embraced the initiative wholeheartedly.

Parents have signed up to help, local businesses have donated supplies, and even a generous benefactor stepped in to buy four brand new sewing machines and overlockers.

“The kids are learning to sew, put in zippers, bake scones, and do all the traditional crafts,” Robyn says. “One of our ex-teachers even dresses up in her chef’s uniform to teach them baking.”

The impact has been enormous, not just for the children, but for the older members of the CWA too.

“It has brought new life into our group,” Robyn says. “The kids make us smile.

They keep us on our toes. And it’s wonderful to see them so excited to learn.”

With strong community backing and a secured junior Facebook group to keep families connected, the program continues to thrive.

“The best part is the enthusiasm,” Robyn says. “Just yesterday, two little girls turned up with a crate full of competition entries. Not just one entry – a whole crate!”

For Robyn, the mission is clear.

“These kids might grow up and move on, but they’ll never forget the Country Women’s Association,” she says. “Just like I never did.”