Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has visited the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) to personally deliver a $100,000 donation from Brisbane City Council for drought disaster assistance.
Cr Schrinner said the QCWA helped almost 8000 families across Queensland through its drought relief fund since August last year. They were also heavily involved in caring for flood victims and emergency services during the 2011 floods, providing meals, opening halls and providing linen and cleaning products to families.
“When Brisbane was on its knees, devastated by the floods, Queenslanders helped get our city back on its feet. They donated to flood appeals and stumped up to be part of the famed ‘Mud Army’,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Drought is having a terrible impact across the State and it’s Brisbane’s turn to lend a hand. This donation is a message from our city to our country friends – we are here to support each other in times of crisis and disasters.”
Members of the QCWA Annerley-Yeronga branch whipped up a traditional CWA morning tea for the cheque presentation and talk about how they support drought affected families.
Queensland CWA president Christine King said the donation would go towards grassroots help for people struggling to survive as the drought bites.
“We are providing essential help to the people who need it most, including food vouchers and payment of urgent telephone, electricity and car registration bills,” Mrs King said.
“There are people who spend their last few dollars feeding stock and having to ask for food vouchers because they can’t afford to feed themselves.
“You hear heart rending stories which make you realise how hard the drought has been on families and how close it is to our back door. You only have to drive to Ipswich now to see how bad it is.”
Drought affected Queenslanders can apply for a $1000 one-off grant or $500 for urgent funds, such as car repairs.
Mrs King said the QCWA had also been involved in the bushfire effort, providing grants and on ground support as bushfire sites across Queensland.
“When we had the fires, members of the CWA were emptying their own pantries and making meals 24 hours a day for 10 days straight to feed firefighters and people impacted by the fires,” she said.
The QCWA has 3500 members and 240 branches across Queensland. They have launched ‘twilight branches’ to engage a younger group of women.