Facilitator Spotlight

Wendy Gordon, QCWA Oakey Branch

This month we have a chat with Wendy from the Oakey Branch who started her Country Kitchens journey back in 2019. She was drawn to the program because she loves cooking, sharing new skills and helping her community. She took to the Facilitator role like a duck to water and so it was no surprise when she accepted the position as the Darling Downs Country Kitchen Division Convenor in 2022.

In this role, she supports Facilitators and QCWA members across the Division undertake activities while developing and fostering partnerships with community organisations right across the region. Under her leadership, the program has flourished both at a branch level and in the community with over 200 activities being undertaken across the 2021-2024 funding cycle with an estimated reach of over 3400 people. Wendy was named 2021 Southern Region Facilitator of the Year and was one of the first Facilitators to complete the Country Kitchens training PATHway in August 2023.

Wendy delivers and supports activities that reach all age groups and demographics, from working in schools to doing recipe demonstrations in Residential Aged Care facilities. She also works closely with the refugee community through a partnership with St Vincent de Paul, delivering frequent cooking workshops. She is an enthusiastic advocate for the program, even taking on a cooking challenge with Chef Paul West at the local Toowoomba Show.

What does she enjoy most about being a Facilitator?

“I thoroughly enjoy delivering workshops and interacting with kids, while passing on knowledge about
healthy eating”. In her down time (not that she has much!) she enjoys handcrafts, growing her own vegetables and flowers and running around after her Grandkids. Thankyou, Wendy, for all that you do for your community, your branch and the Country Kitchens program … we appreciate it!

If you or someone you know is keen to work with the QCWA Country Kitchens program, we are always
looking to increase our volunteer workforce. To learn all about what we do, please get in touch with the
team on 0417 539 663, or head to our website.

Other Country Kitchens Facilitators

Sandy Machan, Emu Park Branch

Sandy Machan, Emu Park Branch

This month we would like to highlight one of our Fabulous Facilitators in Capricornia Division. Keep reading to find out what inspired Sandy to get involved in the Country Kitchens program. My name is Sandy Machan and I am a member of Emu Park branch in Capricornia...

Chaille Twine, Gayndah Branch

Chaille Twine, Gayndah Branch

Chaille Twine from QCWA Gayndah Branch recently reflected on her journey with Country Kitchens. She said “good intentions are never enough; we need some action. I’m glad now that I was given that impetus to get going. It has been so rewarding on so many different...

Margaret Laughton, Gracemere Branch

Margaret Laughton, Gracemere Branch

This month we would like to highlight Margaret Laughton from QCWA Gracemere Branch in Capricornia Division. Here are a few words from Margaret about being a Country Kitchens facilitator:I have been a Country Kitchens facilitator with the Gracemere branch since 2019,...

Margaret Gallagher, Middle Ridge Branch

Margaret Gallagher, Middle Ridge Branch

This month we would like to highlight Margaret Gallagher from QCWA Middle Ridge Branch in Darling Downs Division. Here are a few words from Margaret about being a Country Kitchens facilitator:I joined Country Kitchens as a facilitator in 2018. Country Kitchens has so...

Michelle Donohue, Quilpie Branch

Michelle Donohue, Quilpie Branch

This month we would like to highlight Michelle Donohue from Quilpie Branch in the Warrego Division of the QCWA. Here are a few words from Michelle about her time as a facilitator:I have been a part of the wonderful Country Kitchens program as a facilitator for 4 years...