The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 10. 

Ms Gray said it was likely that elections for local positions such as president, treasurer and secretary will not be held until the following year. 

This would give members a chance to learn procedures and to know each other more. 

In June last year the Mount Isa CWA branch was closed. QCWA state president Robyn McFarlane said in a letter at the time that the closure would be made “until the good name of the CWA is restored in Mount Isa.” 

Ms Gray said that the QCWA now followed new regulations which meant that the organisation had to operate like a business, and therefore had to abide by strict procedure. 

“Where we have small places where we have got a couple of members, sometimes these procedures fall down a bit, but we have to try to strengthen that,” Ms Gray said, although was not specifically referring to the former Mount Isa branch. 

“That’s when we need younger members and their input.” 

Ms Gray was pleased with the number of new members that attended the QCWA meeting held in Cloncurry at the weekend. 

She described it “an outstanding success” and estimated about 110 members in attendance at the Cloncurry Shire Hall. Members included the state president, Ms McFarlane and vice president of the northern region, Marie Baulch. “We had good representation from the Gregory despite the river races being on,” Ms Gray said. 

Some of the highlights included the Country Kitchen’s Program, a performance from a classical trained violinist, line dancing, and competitions in dress making, photography, and public speaking. Ms Gray said the council contributed to the success of the meeting through financial support and lending the hall.