BORDER Division held its annual general meeting last Tuesday with a good attendance. Cr Sheryl Windle chaired the meeting and the guest speaker was Ms Suzette Ross from the Stroke Foundation who gave an interesting presentation.

Margaret Grayson is the division president, vice-presidents are Jacki Harvery (Granite Belt Zone), Elly Beasley (Karara Zone) and Jan Peterson (Killarney Zone).

Diane Walsh is the secretary, Sandy Styles the treasurer, Michele Slater the international officer and Jenny Whitsed the marketing and publicity officer.

This is an excerpt from Margaret Grayson's annual report:

"The activities of the division and branches have been many and varied. We began with our annual meetings where new executive members were welcomed to their roles. The Jumpers and Jazz stall was a great success with branches contributing baked goods for sale - this is always appreciated by the public.

Branch activities over the year included international days, competition days, Melbourne Cup functions, high teas, market days, women's health forums, country kitchens workshops, craft days, friendship days, catering, entertaining, quilt shows, workshops for cheese making, preserving and fermenting (to name a few), games days, Christmas parties, cake stalls and bus trips.

This is quite a diverse list, which begins to show the variety of talents and interests our members have.

Conference 2017 in Brisbane saw 14 of our 16 branches represented.

For some members this was their first conference and I am sure they enjoyed the experience.

There was success in all the competitions and I congratulate all members for participating at all levels and showcasing their talents.

Division finals this year were held in Stanthorpe at the wonderful venue on Amosfield Road on a very cold day with very warm hospitality.

This was a very successful day showcasing our association.

During the day James Lister MP and SDRC councillor Cameron Gow were presented with the Public Rural Crisis Fund packages.

The information is now available through both council and James' office.

Thank you to these gentlemen for their support of our association.

Many branches have contributed to the Care Packs for domestic violence victims distributed by the Warwick Police District liaison officer. Thank you to Mrs Michele Slater who coordinates this project.

Kits for Kids, sewing kits, birthing kits and other international projects have been supported by the members of border division this year. Thank you for your commitment to these important projects.

This year, with the assistance of Mrs Christine King, the state team leader for new branches, we welcomed a new group in Goondiwindi.

Thank you to Mrs Diane Walsh who accompanied Christine and me to Goondiwindi to meet these wonderful ladies.

At this meeting my view of the formation of new groups and branches was gradually changed.

This is a great way to introduce our association to interested ladies.

Until you are put in a situation where you are trying to explain the association to ladies who have no concept of QCWA you don't realise how much is involved in the learning curve - so, slow and steady is the way to go.

We are all struggling with attracting new members within our branches so, in the coming year we will be investigating ways to welcome more ladies to this great association.

Border division members have always been prepared to step up and take positions on state committees - this year is no different. Mrs Kath Brown is state cookery chairman and Mrs Diane Walsh, Mrs Jenny Whitsed, Mrs Rosemary Peterson and Mrs Kris Cole are on the photography committee.

Mrs Diane Walsh is also on the state membership team. Mrs Sharon Hannah is on the state handcraft committee. Thank you, ladies for your commitment.”

Total volunteer hours for the year were 33,376.

Remember to contact QCWA state office on qcwa.org.au or 30261220 if you need assistance from the Public Rural Crisis Fund.

Donations to the fund have been more than $1million in the past few weeks so there is money available to help those in drought or any other crisis.

Information on this is also on the QCWA and QCWA Border Division Facebook pages.