President of the Port Macquarie Evening Branch, Gay Cowan, said members all over the state have had to adapt since major country shows have been cancelled, in line with changes under the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gay explained the CWA of NSW has run the Tea Room at the Royal Easter Show for more than 70 years, raising on average $150,000 from the sale of about 50,000 scones, tea, coffee and products made by members.

"There's no doubt the show's cancellation was an enormous disappointment and not only from a fundraising perspective," she said.

"The Easter Show Tea Room is a big part of our heritage and this year would have been our 73rd year in running it.

"Hundreds of volunteers from across the state, and from our area, assist over the two weeks the Tea Room is operational each year."

However, like many other groups, the CWA has decided to embrace the use of technology to ensure their fundraising efforts can continue.

"With technology playing such a huge role in helping us make the changes required, we decided to use it to our advantage and are now offering people the chance to buy a 'virtual scone' from the CWA of NSW website, or even a whole 'virtual' Devonshire Tea," Gay said.

Gay is keeping busy in self-isolation by maintaining regular contact with CWA members, her family and also carrying out her daily walk, knitting and reading.

She said it can be a lonely time for people but is encouraging them to reach out to their friends and family in whatever way they can manage.

The Port Macquarie Evening Branch has also launched a newsletter as a way to connect to their members.

To support the organisation at this time, people can go onto the CWA of NSW's online shop and purchase a plate of 'virtual scones' for $5, a 'Devonshire Tea' for $10, a dozen plain 'virtual scones' for $20 and a whole batch of cyber delicacies for $50.

Anyone who makes a donation in this way will receive a PDF copy of the CWA of NSW's famous scone recipe, to try their hand at home at whipping up some of these much-loved treats.

"This year is going to be enormously difficult for everyone, but with the ongoing generosity of our community, and with the small purchase of a 'virtual' CWA scone, we can ensure the CWA of NSW grant schemes and assistance programs continue to deliver where they're most needed across our local area," Gay said.

To purchase a 'virtual' sweet treat and scone recipe, go to shop.cwaofnsw.org.au

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