QCWA Annual Report 2018-2019

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

STATE TEAM LEADER FOR NEW BRANCHES REPORT Christine King New branches have been launched at Mt. Tamborine, Sandgate, Burpengary Green Wattles and Beechmont and we welcome these members aboard. These branches had started as groups through to sub-branches and all have established and understood QCWA procedures and have attained solid membership. A new group has been formed at Yeppoon under the guidance of Central Region State Vice-President Marina Taylor, and Goondiwindi Group is operating under the guidance of Southern Region State Vice-President Margaret Grayson. New members joining are excited to know they can be involved in forming resolutions to present at conference, learning new skills and networking. Kenmore Sub-Branch is consolidating its activities, moving to securing a few more members to become a branch of Greater Brisbane Division. Mango Hill Group has been established for some time and is slowly attracting new ladies under the guidance of Heather Valentine from Sandgate Branch, Greater Brisbane Division. Toowong Group in Greater Brisbane Division is finding it difficult to attract extra ladies which is proving a recognisable issue in inner-city Brisbane. We must continue to identify areas for new Branches, especially Twilight Branches, to suit working women who will be a major component of our membership in the future.

SISTER BRANCH / PEN PAL / FRIENDSHIP LINK REPORT Arlene Roberts

Through the thick fog images are hard to see, yet, once the fog clears slowly, the beauty of the area you are in comes to life, showcasing the many images of nature, family and friends that we are so very thankful for! Many of these friends we have gained as members of QCWA. We often meet these friends at Regional or State Conferences. Many of these friendships would have been founded at these functions. Since the implementation of the QCWA Pen Pal Program in 2014 many of these friendships have increased and many ladies have undertaken the steps to sign up for a pen pal in QCWA or interstate with a CWA member. Members in other states have also been able to apply for a pen pal and, to date, there are approximately 139 Pen Pals taking part in the program. Well, ladies, it was a great honour to be asked if I would like the position as co-ordinator and I am very happy to answer all requests — and the more requests the better as this allows me to connect ladies in a short timeframe, not many months later. The QCWA Sister Branch Program is also doing well with 66 branches taking part. Ladies, the friendships that are formed between the branches and the special occasions you can share are a showcase to bringing the members together — and sometimes other ladies will join after attending some of these functions as they also enjoy the friendships made. Since 2014, many ladies have said that they have gained so much having a pen pal and branches have gained a lot from having a Sister Branch. Some members while on holiday have been able to meet with their pen pal and this makes the connection even more special. Some sister branches’ members take a road trip to meet with their visiting friends, sharing lunch and exchanging hints on many things from cooking to gardening and craft ideas — once again, forming even stronger bonds of friendship. Ladies, think about it and give it a go — it can do a lot for both you and your contact — and you can do this by mail or email. The numbers do fluctuate but I find they hold steady. At times, the links may be discontinued (for any number of reasons) but I am always happy to try and find you another pen pal or sister branch. So let me know if there is anything I can do for you: I am very proud to be the QCWA Sister Branch and Pen Pal Co-ordinator and I look for- ward to hearing from you!

STATEWIDE

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