Celebrating powerful women’s voices, scones and knitting

QCWA Centenary

Mary Banfield

Journalist

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Vivienne Ruffles is President of Port Douglas QCWA. Image: Supplied

This year the Queensland Country Women’s Association celebrates its centenary, that’s a hundred years of strong women’s voices resonating throughout the country.

Baking and tea cosies have knitted this community together, but behind the image that most people have of the CWA, there is a powerful group of women who will storm the political corridors to fight to improve the lives of Queensland families.

“Most people think that the CWA is only about scones and tea, but we are so much more than that”, said Christine King, QCWA, Coordinator of the Centenary celebrations.

Christine King is QCW coordinator of the Centenary celebrations. Image: Supplied

“The CWA is often ahead of the times,” said Christine.

After joining the QCWA in 1992, Christine watched as rural women have led the nation in demanding better services for rural areas, many of which are taken for granted today.

Many take for granted the work of the QCWA

In the 1920s rural roads were little more than dirt paths and the only news was through the Bush Telegraph

“A century ago, for many families going to town was a major event, yet there was nowhere for women to meet. Back then faculties catered mainly for men; the hotels and bars. After recognising a need the women organised for restrooms to be built, as a safe place to meet others and for their children to play.”

A great leap forward for women and children.

Port Douglas QCWA celebrates it’s achievements

In 1927 the Port Douglas Branch held its inaugural meeting. “Over the years, our branch has achieved so much,” said Vivienne Ruffles, President, Port Douglas QCWA. “One that I’m proud of was in the 1980s we realised that there were no disabled toilets in town.”

As the plans for their new hall were being drawn up in 1984, the ladies insisted that everyone should have access to a bathroom and soon the doors to the first disabled toilet were opened.

Breaking down isolation and lack of services has been a pillar of the work of the QCWA, and while there have been significant gains, there is still a long way to go.

“It’s outrageous that women need to leave their communities to get cancer treatments. We have inadequate midwifery services. Why does a woman have to go to major cities, leaving her family, to have a baby? It’s just terrible,” said Christine.

The fight must go on, but that won’t stop the celebrations.

In May 2023 the Port Douglas branch will be hosting a themed Garden Party. While discussions are still being held the organisers are considering ‘a century of fashion’, inviting people to wear costumes from their favourite decade.

‘Sconversations’ in August

On the 11th of August 2022 the Port Douglas branch, along with other branches from across Queensland will be holding a ‘Sconversation’.

“Whether you work in a fire station, a shoe shop, or a community centre we are asking workplaces to organise a scone morning tea with their staff”, said Christine.

To document this momentous occasion Christine has asked women to take a Sconversation photo and send it to her at [email protected], where she’ll create wallpaper made up of all the images. A magic idea from an extraordinary organisation.

For more information on the Port Douglas Scone morning please contact Vivienne: [email protected] or visit their Facebook Page.

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