"If you join you'll get the answer to our biggest secret," Turner says. "One of the most common questions we get asked is, 'How do you cut onions without crying?'. We know all the tricks."

Masonic Lodge secrecy aside, helpful life hacks are just one element of the new era of the CWA – the largest women's organisation in Australia. To date there are about 44,000 members, 9000 of whom are in NSW, continuing the founding values of fighting isolation and the lack of health facilities in rural Australia.

Following the controversial sale of its head office and 50-room "residential club" accommodation in Potts Point for $18 million in 2014, the CWA has had a renaissance in the city.

"It was dilapidated beyond repair," Turner says. "It was a member decision to sell it and at the time it was only operating at about 15 per cent occupancy."

Now there is a CWA Sydney City branch that is striving to "raise money, awareness and support for women and their families".

The city-dwelling members have had a busy year.

As well as creating jams and garnishes from this year's official CWA flora – the quandong – highlights include a creative canape workshop hosted by a member who was once a tour manager for the Beatles.

The CWA's Sydney branch has also supported women attending the University of NSW by joining forces with the Support Women in Engineering committee to raise awareness, funds (thanks to a sausage sizzle) and encourage more female representation in the maths and science faculties.

While cooking is at the core of the CWA – Turner recently made a 600-kilometre round trip to source the produce for her famous quandong and macadamia creation – these days members and office bearers of the 94-year-old organisation also stride the corridors of power lobbying for marriage equality and internet connectivity for the regions.

According to Turner, the CWA has been lobbying for causes like the legalisation of medical marijuana and free breast checks for women for more than 10 years.

"Within my first week in the job, I met with three NSW ministers," she says. "We are a powerful group that has direct access to officials."

Access is so direct that Turner frequently catches up with Nationals MP Kevin Humphries over a pie at Cobar's famous bakery during her visits to NSW's 400 branches.

Driving is something that comes naturally to country members. Since taking over the presidency six months ago, Turner has clocked up more than 25,000 kilometres.

Good preparation perhaps to one day take part in a demolition derby, like the Kyogle Evening branch did earlier this year.

"We'll have two cars next year," president Odette Nettleton says. "We've had people now join the branch off the back of us taking part in the derby."

The 35-member-strong club based in northern NSW entered the demolition derby in October after decorating an old Commodore with lace doilies, crochet flowers and the phrase "More than tea and scones" on the bumper.

"I don't think there's many opportunities to get in and do this stuff generally for women, and why not create some more," Nettleton says. "I'm sure we'll be baking as well, but there's no reason why we can't bake and smash cars."

The Kyogle Evening branch was launched 18 months ago after local women requested after-hours meetings. The day branch at the time had only eight members and subsequently closed, with many joining the new chapter in town.

"Our meetings are fun, we have food and wine. Most work or are busy mums and grandmothers," Nettleton says.

"So far we've raised enough money to send one member to complete a chainsaw operation course, we've secured a LandCare grant and our youngest member, Mikaela Kerwin, who is 18, has developed a water awareness program, WADE, aimed at culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds."

These diverse achievements are something the CWA's newly installed NSW chief executive Danica Leys is excited about.

"[We've] had a busy year, raising awareness of and lobbying for a variety of improvements and changes for families in the bush," Leys says.

"From better digital connectivity to native vegetation reforms, we are at the forefront of improving conditions for country women and children and will continue to provide a voice for country families across NSW."

Interested in joining the CWA? The only requirements are being a female over the age of 18. Attending every meeting is not mandatory and registration can be done online.