QCWA Annual Report 2018-2019

The Queensland Country Women’s Association • Annual Report 2018–2019

We have supported the Country Kitchens (CK) Project Manager, Fiona McKenzie, and the team at all Queensland Health meetings since November 2018. The CK program is now firmly embedded in our Association, included in the agenda and minutes at every level of our Association and our Strategic Plan . Results this year have been outstanding, including community engagement increasing – especially through our partner Oak Tree Retirement Villages throughout Queensland. Please do read the CK report and you will see the results of the work through the numbers of branches and facilitators active across the state. May Council Meeting was held this year at Cairns in the Freshwater Hall over five days. It was the first time the council meeting has been taken out of Brisbane; while this creates extra organisation it was the opportunity for local members to come to observe and learn of the work and discussions held at Council. We thank most sincerely the members of Freshwater Branch for healthy catering for lunch and one dinner, it was much appreciated. We also thank those who offered to drive myself and Marie Baulch around Cairns investigating venues for conference in 2020. All members should be proud of the Association being awarded and receiving the Queensland Great Award from Queensland Premier the Hon. Anna Palaszczuk mp on Queensland Day, 6 June 2019, before an amazing audience of influential Queenslanders. Whilst, as the State President, I was presented with the replica plaque, the award recognises our founder Ruth Fairfax and all the ladies she engaged and influenced to join an Association in 1922, those who continued to join, our present members and the welcome we will be extending to future members.

An Agricultural and Environmental Committee was appointed under the State Executive Board under the Chairmanship of Jennie Hill oam and this committee receives all information coming into the Association that can be covered by the members who nominated from different rural and environment backgrounds. It is early days for this Committee, and we hope that external resolutions will be forthcoming on topics that need our action at Conferences. The committee is also responsible for the Primary Product of the Year presentation. Attending our Southern and Northern Region Conferences was a pleasure to meet the members and see their communities – congratulations to Vice-Presidents Margaret Grayson and Marie Baulch for chairing excellent conferences. Our International Study Conference in February 2019, organised by Maria Keys, was well- attended, very professional and set the standard for the year. The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) Conference in April 2019 in Melbourne was also well-attended by our members, led by a delegation comprising State President Christine King, International Officer Maria Keys and including Marina Taylor, Robyn McFarlane oam, Meg Trimble, with ‘reserves’ Lyn Kelman am and Phoebe Mitchell. This delegation included experienced and new members. Country Women’s Association of Australia ( CWA of A ) meetings have not been attended by me this year as State meetings had been locked in when dates were announced. Maria Keys attended as a non-voting delegate in March 2019, however, and there have been teleconferences joined, including those regarding the drought. The Queensland Country Women’s Association achieved a seat at Major-General Day’s drought strategic planning meeting in Brisbane.

EXECUTIVE

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