The CWA has launched a branch in Brisbane city and is debunking preconceived ideas about the association, with most of it's members unable to bake a scone "if their life depended on it."
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On Wednesday night the Queensland Country Women's Association, popularly known as QCWA, Brisbane city night branch reached 42 members, making it the second largest inner city branch in Queensland.
The QCWA was established in 1922 to advocate and provide opportunities for women, focused on education, health, community and support.
The association was originally established in rural towns across the state but has since flourished, with more than four associations set up across Brisbane.
QCWA Brisbane city night branch president Ann Bullen, who runs the Spring Hill branch with members ranging in age from 22 to 92, said while the concept of the association was still the same, the format has adapted to meet the needs of younger members.
"We have a meeting once a month and it is a nighttime meeting because most of the girls work. We have attracted a much younger demographic compared to other parts of Queensland," she said.
"The girls these days, we are all working so hard, we are working longer hours than what we have been in the past and the pendulum has swung a little bit too far, and some want to ground themselves and become more centred with a friendship group and learning skills that our grandmothers learnt."
During each monthly meeting, over supper and wine, the members discuss where they can best direct their energies.
"We lobby the government of the day as women on what we think could be improved in the community that could create a positive change," Ms Bullen said.
"We have a lot of fun, we have international banquets, we have special speakers, we still enjoy all the knitting, crocheting and cooking but it is much broader than that, most of the girls wouldn't be able to cook a scone if their life depended on it.
"There is a preconceived idea that we are just a bunch of older ladies crocheting, well we certainly aren't that."
Ms Bullen said the charity aspect of the association was still very strong and the association regularly sent out birthing kits to New Guinea, stationary and educational kits to the Pacific Islands and donated to DV Connect.
"We make up birthing kits, clean pieces of equipment to help a woman to have a safer and more hygienic birth, we provide a sheet for when they are having their baby so they can be on a clean surface, we provide scissors, string, and items for the baby and hygiene products," Ms Bullen said.
"It goes to New Guinea and it is carted up to the Highland villages.
"We also have volunteers and fundraising where we bring products for ladies in DV Connect refuges."
Ms Bullen said the monthly meetings were a great place for younger women and older women to connect.
"We have grandmas, single ladies, we have teachers, a ship's pilot, engineers, architects, lawyers, doctors, professors, young mothers, people from all walks of life and all age groups," Ms Bullen said.
"Some of the younger women are using it as a relaxation, a friendship, a centring of their soul and it really is serving a very good purpose to provide that camaraderie with the girls as well as having the charitable arm.
"We are teaching the older women how to email, all about social media and they certainly enjoy the company of the younger women and the older women are very highly respected because of the mentorship that they give to the girls."
