This month we would like to highlight Astrid Naughton from Blackwater Branch in Central Highlands Division. Astrid has been a Country Kitchens facilitator for eight years, and recently shared a bit about her time in the role with us.
Astrid got involved with Country Kitchens alongside another branch member when the program first rolled out a series of cooking workshops in Blackwater eight years ago. She was keen to share her love of cooking healthy meals with community members to help them develop skills and knowledge to improve their health. The Country Kitchens cooking workshops proved to be a practical way to get community members together, developing vital cooking skills in a fun and supportive environment with their local QCWA branch.
During her time as a facilitator, Astrid has organised a variety of activities in both Blackwater and Woorabinda; a remote Aboriginal community where she works. Astrid has completed cooking demonstrations at community events, set up showcases to promote the Country Kitchens 5 key messages and share healthy recipes, and has given educational talks as part of various health events.
In 2022, Astrid took on the role of Country Kitchens Division Convenor for Central Highlands Divison. Since then, she has started organising regular cooking workshops within her community. In Woorabinda, Astrid works with Queensland Health to run Country Kitchens hands on nutrition workshops for the tightknit community. In Blackwater, she runs workshops out of the Blackwater QCWA Branch Hall. The focus of the cooking workshops has included education on the 5 key messages, healthy cooking on a budget, and how to understand food labels. The next workshop is scheduled for later this month, and will focus on the QCWA Country of Study by featuring an assortment of healthy Moroccan recipes.
Astrid encourages other QCWA members to get involved with the Country Kitchens program, stating that ‘it is an opportunity to share your knowledge by organising activities or cooking workshops to improve the health of your community members – it’s both fun and rewarding!’.
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.
