The challenge is on again as members from all corners of the state come together for the ultimate catering challenge.

Among the helpers will be Vicki Fraser, president of the Mulwarree CWA branch.

This will be her fourth year volunteering at the tent.

The experience is “full on” says Ms Fraser, describing the enormous queues for the event each year.

“It’s very exciting, we bake the scones on the premises, and the people just go berserk over our scones,” she said.  “The feedback is that these are beautiful.”

Two-and-a-half tonnes of flour go into the secret CWA scone recipe, presided over by more than 450 volunteers. 

And while 50,000 will take some beating this year, there’s no doubt scone sales will certainly approach the magic mark, accompanied by more than 18,000 cups of tea and 35,000 portions of jam.

With numbers like this, it’s no wonder the shifts can be exhausting.

It’s well worth it though, says Ms Fraser. Rewarding chats often come when people see she’s from Goulburn.

It’s also worth it to help with what is one of the CWA’s major fundraisers for the year, to support the work of the organisation, she says.

Ms Fraser joined the CWA after moving from Sydney to Goulburn six years ago, knowing no one in town.

“When I moved here I didn’t know anyone – I had no family, no friends, no nothing – so I joined the CWA to get involved, and we’ve gone from there,” she said.

The CWA tea room is a favourite rest and refreshment spot for the crowds that flood the Sydney Showground each year at Easter. In 2017 the iconic site marked its 70th anniversary.

President of CWA NSW Annette Turner is herself looking forward to joining members at the tea room.

“It’s a much-loved tradition within our ranks,” she said.

“CWA members have been manning the Easter Show tea room for more than seven decades, turning out morning and afternoon teas that have become a ‘must-do’ for so many show-goers. That’s something to be very proud of.”

Visitors will also have the chance to learn some of the CWA’s sought-after cooking secrets. The new Country Women’s Association Cook Book will be on sale, a publication first compiled in 1937.

And what’s the CWA’s secret of the perfect scone? 

“Don’t play with them!” says Ms Fraser.

But, she’s also not discounting a certain CWA scone magic, saying, “I don’t know what it is, but CWA scones seem to be the answer.”