Queensland Country Women's Association
The Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) is the Queensland chapter of the Country Women's Association in Australia. The association seeks to serve the interests of women and children in rural areas in Australia through a network of local branches. Established in 1922, local branches provide friendship and mutual support to their members while contributing to the betterment of life in their local communities. Over time, many branches have evolved to include support for wider issues such as domestic violence campaigns and fund-raising for international initiatives such as orphanages.
In 2019 the QWCA received a Queensland Greats Award from the Queensland Government.[1]
History
On 8–11 August 1922, the Brisbane Women's Club held an open conference for countrywomen in Brisbane's Albert Hall during the Exhibition (a time when many country people visited Brisbane). The conference was opened by Lady Forster, wife of Australian Governor-General and the Queensland Governor Matthew Nathan attended. On 11 August 1922, the outcome of the conference was to establish the Queensland Country Women's Association.[2] Ruth Beatrice Fairfax was elected the first President.[3]
The first meeting of the Toowoomba branch was held at the Toowoomba Town Hall on 12 September 1922. Ruth Fairfax attended and spoke about the objectives of the organisation. The meeting resolved to hold a conference as soon as there were sufficient representatives to attend.[4]
The objectives of the association were broad but included some specific items:[5]
1. To improve welfare and conditions of women and children in the country
2. To draw together all women, girls, and children in Country Districts.
3. To bring opportunities for recreation and enjoyment within reach of all Members.
4. To encourage the active study of Local, Municipal and State affairs and to promote a wise and kindly spirit.
5. To improve educational facilities in the Country.
6. To secure better provision for the safeguarding of Public Health especially of children, and the securing of more adequate Medical and Hospital facilities for Country Districts."
There was a call for a design for a badge and the winner was Mrs Mabel Chandler of Burra Burri who proposed the letters CWA within a large letter "Q"; this design is still used as the organisation's logo. It was decided that the silver and royal blue should be adopted as the colours for the organisation. Many QCWA buildings are painted royal blue and white to approximate the chosen colours.[5]
The Queensland chapter was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2013.[6]
In 2017 the QWCA created its own perfume, '1922', to mark its 95th anniversary. It was released at 2017 Ekka and was developed by Damask Perfumery in Brisbane. The artwork and branding of the bottle was supplied by Brisbane watercolour artist Michelle Grayson.[7]
In 2019 the QWCA received a Queensland Greats Award from the Queensland Government.[1]
Branches
As at December 2018, the QWCA has over 240 branches throughout Queensland.[8] The following list includes all branches active in December 2018,[9] and some of the former branches. (Note, if dates of founding and disbanding are not known, dates of known activity/inactivity are used to assist in identifying actual founding/disbanding.)
Honours
On 9 June 2003 in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, Mrs Jean Eva Anderson of Ballater Station at Stamford was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her "service to the community of Hughenden, particularly through the Country Womens Association". She had given 52 years of service to the Hughenden branch. Her award was presented to her by the then Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce.[69][70]
References
- 2019 Queensland Greats recipients, Queensland Government website. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- Pagliano, 3
- "FOR COUNTRY WOMEN". The Week. XCIV (2, 434). Queensland, Australia. 18 August 1922. p. 6. Retrieved 7 August 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- "QUEENSLAND COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION". The Telegraph (15539). Queensland, Australia. 16 September 1922. p. 12. Retrieved 7 August 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- Pagliano, 6
- "Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame | Queensland Country Women's Association". leaders.slq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- "What does the CWA smell like? Iconic group's essence captured in a bottle for 95th anniversary". ABC News. 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- "About QWCA". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- "Branch locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- Pagliano, 4
- Pagliano, p 18
- "Atherton". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "HOME CIRCLE". The Brisbane Courier (20, 415). Queensland, Australia. 28 June 1923. p. 12. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Biggenden". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Bli Bli". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Bli Bli Branch of the Q.C.W.A. fortieth Birthday Celebration, February 1970". 1970. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- Laws, Nicki; Alcock, Ann, (photographer.) (2015), Frocks, country halls and deb balls, PhotoVoice Australia, pp. 42–32, ISBN 978-0-9870493-7-7CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- "Buderim War Memorial Hall & Library". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Caboolture". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Calliope". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- Unknown (2012). "Landsborough Shire Councillor Miriam Westaway, ca 1965". Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "C.W.A. Branch Formed at Caloundra". Nambour Chronicle And North Coast Advertiser. XXXII (1730). Queensland, Australia. 30 July 1937. p. 5. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "MALENY". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 13 August 1937. p. 17 (CITY FINAL LAST MINUTE NEWS). Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "COUNTRY WOMEN". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 26 February 1923. p. 5 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 31 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Cardwell Divisional Board Hall (former) and Honour Board (entry 601768)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- "Soldier Statue, Chinchilla (entry 601269)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- "Dalveen". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Dayboro". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Dimbulah". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Emu Vale". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- Unknown (1929), Official opening of the CWA Rooms at Eumundi, 1929, retrieved 1 January 2019
- "Forsayth". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Gayndah". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- Unidentified (1927). "Members of the Country Women's Association gather on the verandah and steps of the CWA hall, Goomeri, ca. 1927". John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Goovigen". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "QUEENSLAND COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION". The Brisbane Courier (20, 326). Queensland, Australia. 15 March 1923. p. 12. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Herberton". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Highfields". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- Murdoch, Colleen (2008). "QCWA Hall, Hughenden, 2008". Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Kalapa". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Q.C.W.A. rest-room, Kenilworth, August 1962". 1962. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Kingaroy". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Malanda". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Maleny". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Marmor". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Miles". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Millaa Millaa". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Miva". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Q.C.W.A. Hall and Rest Rooms, Short Street, Nambour, 1960". 1960. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
- "COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION". The Brisbane Courier (20, 986). Queensland, Australia. 29 April 1925. p. 23. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Oxley". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- "C.W.A. REST ROOM AT PALMWOODS OFFICIALLY OPENED". Nambour Chronicle And North Coast Advertiser. XXXII (1748). Queensland, Australia. 3 December 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "PEAK CROSSING C.W.A. BIRTHDAY". Queensland Times. Queensland, Australia. 28 May 1947. p. 5 (DAILY). Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via Trove.
- Raymond, Kerry (31 May 2020), English: Signage on entering Peak Crossing from the North on the Ipswich Boonah Road, 2020, retrieved 3 June 2020
- "Pine Rivers". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Activities in the North". The Queenslander. Queensland, Australia. 20 February 1930. p. 51. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Ravenshoe". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Ridgelands". Queensland County Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Samford". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Sunnybank Coopers Plains". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- "Thallon-Dayman". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Tolga". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "Toowoomba". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "TULLY ITEMS". Cairns Post (5402). Queensland, Australia. 21 January 1926. p. 8. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Boyne Valley Branch, Queensland Country Women's Association". Boyne Valley. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Ubobo QCWA". Gladstone Heritage Register. Gladstone Regional Council. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- "Annual meeting of the Woombye Branch of the Q.C.W.A., September 1967". 1967. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
- "Annerley-Yeronga". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- "Portrait of Mrs Jean Anderson of Stamford with Order of Australia medal, 2003". Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- "ANDERSON, Jean Eva". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
Bibliography
- Pagliano, Muriel (1998). Country women : history of the first seventy five years : the Queensland Country Women's Association. Merino Lithographics.—full text available online.
Further reading
- The Queensland Country Women's Association, fifty years 1922-1972. Queensland Country Women's Association. 1972.