QCWA 100 Years & Beyond | Community organisation

QCWA 100 Years & Beyond

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24.01.2022 GOOVIGEN QCWA REST ROOM This well-kept building belonging to the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) in Stanley Street, Goovigen, stands vacant. Sadly..., the Goovigen QCWA branch, which dates from 1932, met for the last time in April 2017. GOOVIGEN is a small rural town in the Banana Shire, Central Queensland, 120 km (75 miles) south-west of Rockhampton. At the 2016 Australian census, Goovigen’s population was 215. The Goovigen branch of the QCWA was formed at a meeting held on Saturday 10 September 1932. Mrs R Brown, President of the Biloela QCWA branch, presided. Six members of the Biloela branch also attended. Nine Goovigen women signed up as members of the new branch. Several nominated for the presidency and, after a secret ballot, Mrs L Nielson became Goovigen QCWA’s first President. Mrs T McNae was elected Vice-President and Miss Margery Adams Secretary-Treasurer. It was agreed that monthly meetings be held on the first Saturday of the month, commencing at 2.00 p.m. The group’s main objective was to assist the needy of the district. The first monthly meeting of the newly formed branch was held in the Goovigen School of Arts Hall on Saturday 1 October 1932. Nine members attended and one new member was welcomed. The School of Arts committee granted the branch free use of the hall for its meetings on condition that the branch help reduce the very heavy debt owing on the hall. (The Goovigen School of Arts Hall opened in June 1929.) The first of many dances in aid of the School of Arts Hall and the QCWA was held on 28 October 1932. Takings were split on a 75-25 per cent basis. The Goovigen QCWA went on to host dances in aid of local organisations and community groups, such as the Rannes Ambulance. A Goovigen QCWA Younger Set was formed a couple of years later. Its first meeting was held in July 1934. Miss G Bickhoff presided and six members were present (the number necessary for a group to be formed). Miss H. Craig was appointed Secretary-Treasurer. Mrs Shields, the group supervisor, attended the meeting. Pending approval of the parent branch, members planned to hold a dance in the School of Arts Hall on 10 August. Members also decided to make caps and aprons that they could wear when waiting on tables at QCWA functions. Over the years, the Goovigen QCWA Younger Set was known as a strong and active group. The Goovigen QCWA branch went into recess from 1941, due to the war. It reformed in June 1949. For 5 years meetings were held in the School of Arts Hall, then for about 2 years at the home of Mrs Petchat, President at the time. For a number of years, the Goovigen QCWA’s annual ball was held in the School of Arts Hall. In 1956 the Goovigen QCWA purchased from Mr Roy Bell a building and land in Stanley Street for the purpose of providing a rest room. The building was renovated and painted by the members’ menfolk. The rest room was officially opened by the Mayor of Rockhampton, Alderman R.B.J. Pilbeam, on 26 January 1957. Over the years, many fund-raising functions and dances were held in the building. In 1960, just four years after the Goovigen QCWA moved into its own building, the branch closed. After a long hiatus, in September 1974, the branch reformed. In April 2017 the Goovigen QCWA branch closed again. According to its then President, June Thiedeke, the branch’s closure was inevitable. Its few remaining members were quite old. June herself was in her 80s and others were older. June had been a member of the QCWA for 50 years (since 1967). For her and the other members of the Goovigen QCWA, the branch’s closure was very sad. It was the end of an era. I wonder if the Goovigen QCWA branch will reform. Time will tell. In the meantime, the QCWA building (as it appeared in December 2018) still stands, in waiting. REFERENCES ‘Goovigen’. In Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), Saturday 8 June 1929, page 13. Online: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/54655565 ‘The CWA. New Branch At Goovigen’. In Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Thursday 29 September 1932, page 36. Online: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23152439 ‘Country Women Branch Meetings. Central Division. Goovigen Younger Set’. In Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), Friday 10 August 1934, page 4. Online: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55602051 ‘Goovigen’. In Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), Wednesday 12 October 1932, page 5. Online: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55482236 ‘Goovigen CWA’. In Goovigen State School (1976). Goovigen and district schools: golden jubilee 1926-1976. Central Telegraph, Print, Biloela. ‘Goovigen CWA Ball’. In Central Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 13 September 1951, page 29. Online: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/75330607 ‘End of an era for Goovigen CWA’. In Queensland Times, 9 May 2017. Online: https://www.qt.com.au//end-of-an-era-for-goovigen/3173872/

22.01.2022 CWA Springbrook Branch....circa 1969....Courtesy Charles Hicks

16.01.2022 Some great old History Photos I found today about the (CWA) QCWA in Townsville Thanks for your support Ladies ----------------------------------------- IN GOOD ...TIMES AND IN BAD, FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS, THE QCWA HAS BEEN THERE FOR COMMUNITIES AROUND QUEENSLAND. Since 1922 the QCWA has been a prominent fixture in country and city towns alike. From the humble beginnings of providing an organisation for women to overcome the loneliness and worry of isolation it is now a society providing friendship and support to women across the world. Throughout the years women across Queensland have banded together to share in a history filled with love, care and of course we can’t forget our tea and scones. ________________________ Lost Townsville

13.01.2022 Back to Basics shopping - just like the QCWA. As the largest women's organisation in Queensland, we are getting back to basics and bringing friendship, fun, advocacy and community to the forefront as we have for 97 years. If your mum, grandmother, aunt, neighbour or family friend was ever a member of QCWA please tell us a special memory you have of their time in QCWA and think about joining a branch near you!

12.01.2022 Australian Womens History Month Interesting Fact #5!: Ruth Beatrice Fairfax OBE Founded by Ruth Beatrice Fairfax OBE (pictured), the Queensland Country Women’s ...Association (QCWA) has been a fixture in cities and country towns since 1922. From humble beginnings, the QCWA is now comprised of thousands of women from all across the state providing friendship and support to those in need. [Story and image sourced by Queensland State Archives] See more

11.01.2022 Now this takes us back (to 1978)! You've told us before how some of you used to ride the horse or cow to school... but what did you eat when you got there? : Anne Mulherin via Old Shops Australia

10.01.2022 Three ladies who influenced my growing up Joan Muller, Jean Hungerford (my mum ) Mollie Harcla , they loved the CWA great friends for life .

04.01.2022 ICYMI: We eventually confirmed the winner of the 1971 CWA knit-off. It was the Territory's own lightning fast, cardigan and jumper specialist, Mrs Smith #RetroFocus

03.01.2022 Thought you may all enjoy this original photo taken November 1946 (QLD State Archives) Ipswich Heritage House.