The 2022-23 year period marked the centennial of the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). Despite their 100-year-old history, many people think the CWA is only about tea and scones, but it is much more than that. If people have a need, the CWA will help them. During their 100 years, they have successfully lobbied governments for road safety improvements, created a rural crisis fund for people impacted by natural disasters, supported victims of domestic violence, provided financial and hands-on support for families in need, catered for weddings, funerals and epic bike-riding events, raised money through cent sales and cared for so many women and families across Australia. And yes, they’re great cooks.
This project is a celebration of the QCWA’s achievements and what lies ahead. It’s been my privilege to be welcomed into their halls and their homes. To hear their stories, their histories and witness their camaraderie. The amazing women who make up the QCWA have achieved so much, and continue to empower other women, throughout the far north and across the State. I am bringing their stories to life.
This project has taken place over a series of stages.
Research & Development (Stages 1 & 2, Aug 2021- April 2023) – oral histories were taped and transcribed from interviews with QCWA members from the Far Northern & Atherton Tablelands Divisions including, running a soup kitchen in Cooktown, line dancing at Mossman and disaster support provided in the aftermath of cyclones.The stories reflect resilience, strength, friendship and history. Audio files complement the photography of QCWA members and Halls. The collated material underwent a creative development (March 2022) with actors, a director, the writer and a projectionist, culminating in a presentation of outcomes to QCWA members, creatives and the public. It showcased the work, gathered feedback and production ideas. Exerts of the work were shown at the CWA’s Northern Conference in June 2022 and to the public in November 2022. After which further changes were made and the project advanced to the next stage.
Professional Production (Stage 3, May 2023 – June 2023 – FNQ Tour) – This work is a form of verbatim theatre, where real stories, based on recorded interviews, are blended with dramatised scenes. While the stories were edited, they kept the truth and of the original voices, ensuring the work’s authenticity. A rich, diversity of CWA journeys was condensed into chapters, and united by actors, choreography, projection and music. It toured QCWA Halls in Far North Queensland and where possible, was performed in-situ, using authentic CWA Hall sets. The camaraderie, gritty moments and the laugh-out-loud recollections of what these generous women do, was revealed at the Freshwater CWA Hall, Clink Theatre Port Douglas,Tolga CWA Hall, Cooktown Shire Hall, Mareeba CWA Hall, Tully CWA Hall and Millaa Millaa CWA Hall.
Professional Production (Stage 4, October to November 2024 – State Tour)
In 2024 the show toured Western, Southern and Northern Queensland. Including Toowoomba, Chinchilla, Roma, Mitchell, Charleville, Lowood, Samford, Oxley and Redcliffe.
In North Queensland, the show toured to Halifax, Townsville (3 shows), Charters Towers and Gordonvale. As with the 2023 show, accolades from audiences flowed in after every show. People were in awe of what the CWA women have achieved, the quality of the performances, the heart-warming connections and the funny stories that brought them joy.
Reflections
In 2024 the show was supported by:
In 2023 the show was supported by:
