The Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA)

The Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) was established in Toowoomba in August 1922 by Mrs Ruth Fairfax. (The Federal seat of Fairfax is named after her.) Since then it has been the bastion of womens friendship throughout the State, and the community work done by the branch is often the 'glue' that holds the smaller communities together - even in modern times. The thing I like best about the QCWA is that each Branch has the choice to do what best suits its members, or is most needed in their Communnity. This means that across the State the types of assistance and services provided is widely varied, but it is all done with care and consideration for their community. Like their counterparts in the other States, they are known far and wide for their handcraft and cookery skills - but it is far more than that. I always say that "the thing the QCWA has done best - is keep a secret what we do." So I thought I would share with you some of the other wonderful State wide initiatives we have.  For a better idea I suggest you log on to their website at http://www.qcwa.org.au or better yet, get involved with your local branch - by becoming a member if you are a woman, or supporting their functions if you are a man.

I hope it gives you a glimpse of what a wonderful diverse organisation we are - and as relevant to today as we were in the early days. When you log on you can see what we do to help DV Connect, about our bursaries for students, about our network of Accommodation that stretches from Cairns to the Gold Coast and at which everyone is welcome to stay - and the myriad of other bits and things we do. As I said before "the thing we have done best - is keep a secret what we do" - but I think it is time people started to hear the real story.

In essence I have selected 4 important functions to tell you more about and highlight.