MOUNT MORGAN BRANCH UPDATE

Submitted by Arlene Roberts - President

Hello what a busy time we are all having yet it is the best feeling when you can connect with people from different areas at functions such as our Golden Mount Festival. Our Branch was very happy to hold a stall at the festival as we have done for many years. With a 7 o’clock in the morning start to set up it was going to be a rather busy day. We set up the gazebo, put up the tables and set up our display of country kitchens, cook books that were for sale, history books and a raffle for the day. Then it was time to have a quick cup of tea and wait to greet the people who would come along and enjoy the day. We have had the pleasure of being a part of this events since our branch began 73 years ago and each year, we try to take part showcasing what Q.C.W.A. is all about and how we help and can help in our community. At the festival this year it was a real pleasure and it was very interesting meeting ladies who had been members of Q.C.W.A. and many of these had been members of the Mount Morgan Branch in past years. Some families looked at the history books and found images of family members who had been members. So it was nice to see them take a copy of the history book to read. Our branch cook books were very popular and we are looking at increasing these in the near future. Our next book is already in the planning stages. We also had for sale other Q.C.W.A. Cook books including the well-known Bundaberg cook book which has been in print since 1928.

It was also a joy to meet new members of our community who wanted to know more about our branch and who hope to come along and possibly join. This brings ladies from all parts of society together and it shows that no one needs to feel alone we are a community based organisation who is there for all women. As I told some of the ladies yesterday the jug is always on and a smile will meet you as you come in the door. We welcome all ladies and children. This year we are again continuing to package domestic violence packs and several donations have been made to our branch from businesses and individuals to make these packs the best we can make them so victims know they are cared for. This includes the children who are victims as much as the adults are. Thank you to our supporters of this project. As we move forward with this project we hope to improve the packs to allow victims to feel they have what they need to support them at such a hard time.

On 13 May at the Mount Morgan Railway Station ‘’Ride4Lives ‘’ Suicide Prevention will be stopping at the Railway Station for morning tea. There will be approximately 300 motor bikes participating - big road bikes, dirt bikes, push bikes and support vehicles. The group is based in Gladstone. The bike riders are here to meet with the town’s community and are happy to talk with people. Some of the riders are trained counsellors. This is a big opportunity for our town to meet with the riders. Our branch is supplying morning tea. Mark Brookes is the man in charge of the riders and is looking forward to meeting people on the day. They will start coming around 11 am. To find out more about Ride4Life please look at their website.

On 22 May we are looking at holding a Country Kitchens Workshop. This will incorporate our country of study which is Trinidad Tobago this year. Dragon Fruit is our product of study for 2023 and this will also be featured. We have many projects in mind which include world tree day, Mount Morgan Show, Mount Morgan Wattle Day and we are having a giant centsale on the 18th of November. We lobby to the governments to improve living conditions, education, health care, road conditions, water supplies, street lighting, school zones, food labelling, food security and any important issues that are brought forward and agreed upon.

Don’t forget on the fourth Monday of each month we are holding our craft days. These will also include our Gardening section and if wanted we can include cooking. This is a social function and is for any women who would like to come along. You can bring your own crafts to do if not we have some craft supplies to get you started. We start at 10 am. As I mentioned earlier our branch has written cookbooks these are as follows—Fruit Cakes, Biscuit delights, Main Meals, Deserts, and our new cook book is Jams and Preserves. These are all available through our branch and at the Mount Morgan Railway Museum and Explore Centre.

Our aim is to bring together ladies in the community to meet with the members and if they would like to join that would be amazing. Our meetings and functions are held at the green shed near the swimming pool on Thompson Avenue. If you would like to find out more please contact Arlene Roberts branch president on 0428 457 461 or email me on arleneroberts@ bigpond.com