By Melissa Coleman
The Border Division attended the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Annual Conference in early November, which was not just a time for celebration but also a time to identify improvements to the operation of the association and of social and safety issues.
Hundreds of women from all over Queensland met in Toowoomba at the Empire Theatre.
President of the QCWA Border Division Irene Peachey said it was an honour to represent the division at the annual conference.
“QCWA Border Division has a bright and positive future,” Ms Peachey said. “We have welcomed many new members, which is exciting as they are bringing vibrant new energy into our meetings.“
QCWA women are practical women working within communities to share their skills, work ethic, and thoughtfulness.
The four-day conference consisted of sharing and learning new skills.
Demonstrations and workshops focused on cooking, handcraft, patchwork, floral art, knitting and crochet, sewing and a healthy lifestyle program.
The Gala Dinner at Picnic Point gave the women an opportunity to reflect on 100 years of friendship, fun and hard work.
In her speech, Ms Peachey said that she would like to take everyone on a hall crawl of must-see places around the Border Division.
She started with the Victoria Hill Branch, saying it was a place where you can sit quietly, sip your tea or coffee, munch on something wonderfully delicious, home-cooked of course, and look out the window.
“Which one? Pick one. You will be rewarded with the most stunning views,” she continued.
“The Cunningham Branch hall has yummy food but take a moment to check out the incredible ceilings in the main hall and cuddle up in a crochet blanket set out for visitors on those cold winter days. Might even be soup on the menu.”
Ms Peachey’s address to the women was positive, vibrant and fall of love for each and every hall in the Border Division.
“Honestly, I’m so happy every time I visit Leyburn. The building is sheathed in corrugated iron and is being renovated by some very talented women,” she began, “They have the biggest cast iron stove I’ve ever seen. A chap I recently met gave me the best vibe. He said he would like to thank the QCWA, especially the Leyburn QCWA.”
“Allora is such a cute little building with thirty-plus who love their craft days,” she said.
The Clifton Rooms, Texas, Broadwater, Glen Aplin and Wallangarra branches were mentioned for their beautiful surroundings and the committed ladies in each of these communities were honoured.
“The Granite Belt Weekenders do not have a hall,” Ms Peachey said.
“They meet monthly to choose places of interest in the area.”
Each and every hall in the region were mentioned including the Dalveen, Killarney, Mt Collier, Emu Vale, Hermitage Yangan and Condamine Valley Warwick branches.
The Border Division of the QCWA are the grandmothers, the mothers and daughters and sisters that help keep our communities alive by supporting as many people as they can.
Drought, fire and tragedies have been made easier for many people as these innovative and lively ladies bring in the spirit of resourcefulness and provide aid where and how they can.
“We are an active community of women who help improve the lives of people living in our region by offering friendship and connection,” Ms Peachey said.
Even though these women offer friendship and are great craft makers and cooks, what they do for our community is certainly valued far more than that.
