{"id":125658,"date":"2015-11-02T12:24:18","date_gmt":"2015-11-02T02:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=125658"},"modified":"2020-11-09T18:54:13","modified_gmt":"2020-11-09T08:54:13","slug":"state-conference-wraps-up-a-big-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/11\/02\/state-conference-wraps-up-a-big-year\/","title":{"rendered":"State Conference Wraps Up A Big Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Janice Jameison, Sandra Chapman, Elaine Thompson, Lyn McEarchern and Olive Diefenback from the recently re-formed Wooroolin QCWA branch attended their first State Conference at the weekend (Photo: QCWA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 2, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Lois Thurecht<\/strong><\/p>\n

Members of local QCWA branches returned home at the weekend after attending last week’s State Conference in Gympie.<\/p>\n

Gympie Regional Council provided a lovely venue for the occasion, and there was plenty of space to show the public what QCWA members do.<\/p>\n

Competition displays were set up, and South Burnett members took out many prizes.<\/p>\n

Many thanks must go to Mayor Mick Curran and Councillor Rae Gate\u2019 for their tremendous support.<\/p>\n

The conference was opened by an ecumenical service conducted by Pastor Peter Rodriguez from the Lutheran College, and a collection of $930 was presented to the college.<\/p>\n

The gathering heard speakers on the topics of organ donation, isolated children, bullying and the Man Up prostrate cancer program.<\/p>\n

Dr Kate Gray spoke on women\u2019s health and Dr Jeannette Young spoke about Country Kitchen, an initiative of the last State Government.<\/p>\n

Dorothy Coombe, the National President of ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World) also gave an address.<\/p>\n

The State Conference heard that the QCWA\u2019s Public Rural Crisis Fund (PRCF) had assisted many drought-affected families over the last year with funds of $250,000, and a similar amount had been given to assist businesses in drought-affected areas to help them keep trading. <\/strong><\/p>\n

More farmers and other members of the public are now realising it is perfectly OK to ask the QCWA for help.<\/p>\n

$22,303 was also raised for the 2015 External Appeal for Blaze Aid, and another $5,000 was donated to them for a support trailer.<\/p>\n

An annual donation of $3300 was made to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.<\/p>\n

Next year the external appeal will be the Melanoma Project, which QCWA will study and raise funds for, and the country of study will be Greenland.<\/p>\n

The QCWA lobbied the government last year to have medicinal cannabis available for chronic illnesses.<\/p>\n

This year, with the ice epidemic ravaging many communities, the emphasis will be placed on drug education programs in schools.<\/p>\n

The QCWA will also be advocating that more fitting sentences be given to domestic violence offenders so that they are not released to offend again; that one vote, one value be bought into our voting system; and that there be clearer labelling of Australian grown and packaged foods.<\/p>\n

Members will also be urging the living away from home allowance for remote education be increased.<\/p>\n

Serenette Crombie, the State Young Leader, gave her exciting report for the last year\u2019s happenings and announced their summit for next year.<\/p>\n

The conference concluded with “The Happening” – a concert put together by members.<\/p>\n

The State Executive proved the most popular act with their Village People item.<\/p>\n