Comedian Mandy Nolan and singer-songwriter Aine Tyrrell have been travelling the country with a production that is a call to action and conversation about contemporary social mores and politics. Their show is called Country Witches Association or, you guessed it, CWA.

Shock horror, right? How could they bag this sacred institution? Don’t worry, they don’t.

“Our CWA is a tongue-in-cheek reimagining of the traditional CWA, with full respect to this iconic Australian women’s association that has long pioneered the rights and equity of women and children,” Nolan says.

“The Country Witches Association, however, is very different. It is an anarchic melting pot of politics, comedy and song. It brings disparate and dispossessed women together, to share in the camaraderie of conversations and inspiration using a show-cum-meeting format where the audience gets to set the agenda.”

Nolan and Tyrrell live at Mullumbimby in the Byron Bay hinterland but Nolan is from Wondai in the South Burnett region of country Queensland. Her mum was widowed at 26. Nolan was a talented basketballer who got picked for the state team but the family’s finances meant she couldn’t go, at first.

“We couldn’t afford it, so I went thanks to the CWA who funded me by selling lamingtons,” Nolan recalls. “So, I don’t make fun of the CWA at all. We’re very clear about celebrating and acknowledging the amazing work they do.

“When we have toured out west, we have had the head honchos from the CWA come to shows in Corindi, Gunnedah, Glenn Innes and other towns. We love what the CWA does and I have joined my local branch and I get an email every week saying … someone has died we need 10 cakes or, the men’s shed is meeting we need seven cakes. They are first responders, with cakes.”

Nolan and Tyrrell go a bit further than the traditional CWA when it comes to politics and issues and they like to foment discussion and even a bit of controversy.

Tyrrell, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter is a popular act at festivals (you might have seen and heard her at Woodford or Splendour in the Grass) and she is currently recording her third album, due for release in 2024.

In the meantime, she’s on the road with Nolan stirring the possum. Tyrrell says the show aims to help women “find the witch within”.

“If you’re not doing something that you would have been burnt for 400 years ago, then you’re not trying hard enough,” she says.

Country Witches Association, presented by Aine Tyrrell and Mandy Nolan, The Old Museum Brisbane/Meanjin, November 24, 8pm

oldmuseum.org

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