Celebrating a century of unwavering service to the community, Bundaberg Branch of QCWA commemorated its 100th anniversary this week.
On the 22 July 1924 the Bundaberg Branch of QCWA was officially opened and has continued in unbroken service ever since.
Bundaberg Branch of QCWA’s Edna Buck shares the history and dedication from the members of the local association:
The first service was to provide a rest room where women and children could come, while waiting for transport or feeding and changing babies etc., whilst in town.
Then a house was purchased for use as a hostel for boys, who were finishing high school or apprenticeships and who were unable to get into town easily.
When public transport became available the building was sold and helped cover the cost of bricking the building of the QCWA meeting rooms in Quay Street – as we know it today.
The Bundaberg Cookery book was first printed and sold in 1926 for 2/6 [two shillings and six pence].
It is still in constant demand!
Hundreds of copies are still sold every year.
Holiday units were available for many years at Bargara.
Bundaberg branch ran a very successful child-minding centre for 30 years.
Initially, one paid employee plus two or three volunteers, then later there were four paid employees plus volunteers.
This went on for about 30 years then was taken over by YMCA and eventually closed as being no longer really needed.
Many people speak very highly of this service.
Another popular service was the Emergency Housekeeper Scheme (EHS).
Bundaberg Branch QCWA 100-year history
1952 – Mrs C Haskard was president when the membership of Bundaberg Branch QCWA was 136. The Burnett Division had 34 branches.
1953 – There were 146 members in Bundaberg.
1958 – The Lueke Quads were invited to meet the Governor’s wife, Lady Abel Smith, at a garden party held in our grounds.
1958 – There were 157 members.
1981 – There were 101 members. A room was added for division archives and membership was $4.50pa.
1982 – There were usually 100 at meetings. Members entered a float in the Harvest Festival procession. Members donated a special bed to the Base Hospital for long-term patients, plus a unit for out-of-town families.
1985 – Lollypop Ladies began duty at school crossings – A CWA initiative.
1987 – The public speaking contest began and it is still alive today.
1990 – A storeroom was added for handcraft
2001 – Traffic lights were installed in front of our building allowing for safer crossing of Quay Street.
2004 – 60th birthday for Bundaberg Handcraft.
2005 – Helen Benn was named Country Woman of the Year.
2006 – Denise Scherer was Bundaberg Country Woman of the year and Beth Faint won the Floral Art contest.
2008 – Bundaberg Younger Set was reopened by Pauline Curson.
I, Edna Buck, was Country Woman of the Year for Burnett Division, also Lyn Tucker, our branch president for the past four years, won the award for her previous area.
2009 – The Victorian bushfires! Everyone helped either raise funds or put together items needed by victims of the fires or the volunteer firefighters. We sent 500 cases of goods over a period of three-four weeks, these included towels etc. for wildlife rescues as well.
2011 – The first of the devasting floods to hit Bundaberg. Again our ladies pitched in and were supported by others from the community who helped feed all those who were either homeless or other voluntary workers etc. for several weeks.
2013 – We saw the worst flooding ever for this entire district. Once again our ladies (on the city side of the river) came together and were able to feed the multitude.
The Younger Set disbanded a few years ago, unfortunately. We no longer have a regularly employed room attendant every day, as there is no longer any need.
Other Bundaberg Branch of QCWA history
We now take part in the Country Kitchens outreach with our current supervisor, Lyn Tucker, leading those who want to learn how to provide healthy meals for their families and districts.
This will be an ongoing service and we encourage everyone to come along and find out more of this healthy eating program.
Our main source of fund raising now seems to be through our popular cent sales or cent auctions as some call them.
Every year we help fundraise for cancer through Stephen Bennett MP with a Biggest Morning Tea.
Not long ago we celebrated the Queen’s bicentenary by planting a tree in the park next door.
The rooms are in constant demand by other groups who hire them from us- provided it does not clash with our own commitments.
We hope and pray that QCWA in Bundaberg as well as all our sister branches will continue for many more years to come.
Due to many of our newer members still working during the week, we have changed our regular monthly meetings to the second Saturday morning in the month.
I read somewhere that it has been said that “Where there’s a need – there’s a CWA”.
Let’s hope that the new influx of younger members will continue with the work and enjoyment of previous year’s achievements.
To find out more information about Bundaberg Branch of QCWA click here.
Other news: Loraine shares fond memories on 100th birthday
