Compass: May 31

On Sunday ABC’s Compass begins a six-part look at influential religious and social movements in Australia’s recent past.

From Sunday Schools to the Maharishi, from the RSL to Women’s Lib, it begins by asking Whatever Happened to the Country Women’s Association?

Australia’s grande dame of the outback, the Country Women’s Association turns 93 this year but is showing no sign of ageing or retiring. Instead she’s having something of a facelift. But the CWA mission remains the same – ‘to improve life for women and children living in rural and remote areas’. Meet members from the first branch in Crookwell NSW and from the new chapter in Sydney’s Greystanes whose members call themselves ‘Chicks With Attitude’. CWA women have helped throughout wars, droughts and floods as well as lobbying governments for change. But today they must decide if they will sell their beloved headquarters in one of Sydney’s most desirable real estate locations. Can they embrace change, retain their core values and still go on to make the best tea and scones at the Royal Easter Show?

6:30pm Sunday ABC.