FOR nine decades a group of ladies in Queensland have dedicated themselves to an association that upholds community values, supports women in both rural and urban areas, and holds out a hand in a time of crisis.
The Queensland Country Women’s Association was one of the most iconic organisations to evolve in the 21st century. Ninety years on, it continues to attract confident, capable and generous women to its ranks so they, too, can become part of a group that works tirelessly for the prosperity of Queensland’s women and their families, in particular, those in an isolated or rural setting.
One of the most respected achievements of the association is the QCWA Country Woman of the Year (CWOY) award – given out annually to a recipient who has gone the extra mile as a branch member, and acted as an ambassador for the organisation as a true role model of the QCWA.
CWOY entrants are humble, generous and all involved in their various community and branch activities so it can be hard to pin them down for a nomination, but actions speak louder than words when it comes to rewarding the deserving winner.
This year 16 finalists, each representing their own division, made their way to Toowoomba from 247 branches all over Queensland, to be recognised for their achievements at the annual gala conference dinner on Tuesday night, but it was the Maranoa division’s Susan Gale, from the Gurulmundi branch, who shone through as this year’s winner.
In the association’s 90th year, it is an added coup to win the coveted award as Susan will spend the next 12 months promoting her branch, the Maranoa division and the QCWA, riding the cloud of accomplishment during the association’s milestone birthday celebrations.
Joining the association in 1986 Susan has held many significant branch and division level positions, not least the Maranoa division vicepresident’s role for three years.
Susan said she was overwhelmed by the announcement on Tuesday night.
“I entered the competition to support the CWA and winning it wasn’t my paramount objective so I just feel a bit blown away by it all,” she said.
“I’ve been around CWA all my life; my grandmothers and their mothers were foundation members of the Dulacca branch.”
The humble mother of eight, including two sons and six daughters, does not boast of her achievements, including home-schooling all her children.
She has also been awarded life membership of the Charleville School of Distance Education.
Susan is looking forward to the opportunities her new role as Country Woman of the Year will bring, including promoting the QCWA and increasing branch membership, across the state and in her home branch of Gurulmundi.
“I’m looking forward to trying to increase our membership because we’re only a little branch and I’m the youngest member and I’m over 50.”
Like every QCWA woman, Susan says there are many aspects to the organisation she loves.
“I think it’s the friendship, the companionship and the bringing together of women, regardless of anything – non-secretariat, non-party political.
“Regardless of status of life, and just accepting everybody for who they are and their contribution.”
QCWA Country Woman of the Year runner-up was the Border division’s Rosemary Peterson, Killarney branch, and third was Katrina van den Brenk, Gympie and South Burnett division.
As well as recognising the star Country Woman of the Year recipient, QCWA members eagerly awaited the other announcement of the week – the Fundraiser of the Year award.
Not an easy task for most, one lady is recognised for her tireless fundraising efforts of the past 12 months.
It can take a special type of character to get involved in all those bake sales, sausage sizzles and raffle draws and it’d be safe to say that this type of dedicated volunteer work is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Sara Faddy managed the top prize this year, raising an impressive $9830 for her branch.
It is a nod to Sara’s position in the community that she has been given such valued support by her friends in the district.
“It’s particularly special this year because the Nambour and North Coast division won last year as well,” she said.
The Maleny branch member said they held a movie day, cent auction and garage sale to reach and exceed their fundraising goal.
Ladies often don’t go to the movies alone and so the movie day proved a great success. They aimed for 30 ladies and instead 91 attended.
“It’s my first year running for fundraising and I’ve been a member at Maleny for eight years.”
Sara has moved between England and Australia a number of times and said her involvement first started with the Women’s Institute, in England.
“That’s the wonderful thing about the CWA – I have been able to pick up a group of women and instantly feel at home with them.
“I just like being out there with other women and meeting old friends again and making new ones.”
Her unofficial motto for the QCWA stems from the jubilee promotion in England: ‘Keep calm and carry on’.
“I would say Keep CWA-ing and carry on. We’ve got to keep the CWA going because it is important.”
