This month we would like to highlight Donna Formosa from QCWA Freshwater Branch in Far Northern Division. Here are a few words from Donna about being a Country Kitchens facilitator:
My name is Donna Formosa and I have been a QCWA Country Kitchens facilitator for three years now. I
am also the Country Kitchens Division Convenor for Far Northern Division. I became a Country Kitchens facilitator after a presentation at one of my branch meetings. The program aligned with my passion of volunteering and my love of cooking, so I thought perhaps I could get involved and make a difference by sharing the 5 key messages with my community.
I’ve facilitated a number of Country Kitchens activities during my time with the program. This includes various health promotion displays and presentations with community groups and organisations such as Playgroup Queensland, Freshwater Markets and Bunnings Warehouse. I’ve partnered with St Andrew’s Catholic College in Redlynch to deliver a healthy lunchbox demonstration to prep parents, followed by a hands on nutrition workshop later in the term. I’ve also worked with the school to introduce fruit to the breakfast club menu. Additionally, last year I worked with James Cook University UniLodge to facilitate a healthy takeaway (aka ‘fake out’) cooking workshop with university students living on campus.
Outside of QCWA and Country Kitchens, I have 2 young grandchildren who I love to spend a lot of time with. I am looking forward to welcoming another grandchild in August. I also spend time with my elderly father in Caloundra during the school holidays, and enjoy to cook. I am very involved as a volunteer committee member of Myasthenia Gravis Association of Qld (MGAQ). I have had this autoimmune disease for most of my life and am fortunately in remission. Each month, I submit a Country Kitchens recipe to the MGAQ) newsletter.
I believe that other people should get involved with the Country Kitchens program as life is getting faster, and people are becoming more time poor. QCWA Country Kitchens is a great opportunity to make a difference in the health of your community by promoting the 5 key messages.
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: qcwacountrykitchens.com.au
