The battle lines were drawn early. And it was tense.
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You were either in the punk-like purple/pink icing camp or you were holding firm with the traditionalists.
Enter the judge. No white 10 gallon hat wearer but a snappy suit nonetheless with an eye on solving the final riddle of the day: just who did bake the best tasting blueberry muffin at the CWA’s agriculture and environmental day.
Come on down federal MP Luke Hartsuyker – the innocent seconded to the task by an enthusiastic bunch of CWA members.
In the corner – well, halfway along the wall anyway – the table was groaning under the weight of the muffins as they waited for the local member to taste test his way through the list of competitors’ entries.
Luke’s years of contesting the federal seat of Cowper, the hours of debate, considering, enacting tough choices and decisions for the betterment of all Australians, has never been truly bested. Until Wednesday.
As he turned to face the CWA membership to announce his decision, it was easy to see that there could only be one winner: Chris Blythe took the chocolates. Literally.
Junior member Lily Curtis was a close second – and likely to be heavily backed for higher honours in 2017 – while visitor Nan Bowman picked up the third prize. More chocolates.
With a sigh of relief, Luke the judge was done and dusted and on his way to Sydney while the members sat and participated in the five minute quick quiz.
And if you think it’s a simple quiz, think again. These CWA types really know their fruit in a cryptic way anyway.
Question: What’s a man going fast? Answer: Mango.
Are you still with me?
Somewhere in the day I missed the entertainment. A jazzy number with words to fit the day. From all accounts it was a winner. You guessed it, more chocolates.
As the cling wrap was skillfully unravelled from around the multitude of cakes, – and yes, muffins – biscuits, slices, cupcakes, quartered sandwiches and other homemade and store-bought goodies, the cup of old-fashioned tea was being poured along with an instant coffee, I had a revelation.
I’d just listened to two wonderful guest speakers – Penny Tideman from Ticoba Blueberries and Avocados and author Ian Ridgway on his passion for red cedar. I’d heard that the Regent Honeyeater is a bird facing extinction and that the Rhus tree is spectacularly looking but poisonous.
And as I sat and ate my home-made quartered cheese and tomato sandwich,it soon dawned on me that the CWA is a significant holder of the secrets to what makes us all tick: friendships are important but start at any time in your life, you can continue learning your whole life, age is no barrier to anything and life can be, and should be, enjoyed.
I can’t wait for next year’s agriculture and environmental day.