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 Division. I have been a Country Kitchens facilitator for just over 12 months now and I have recently completed my facilitator training up to Level 4 of the Country Kitchens PATHway.
I grew up in Emu Park with my grandmother who was a founding member of the Emu Park QCWA, so I knew that one day I would join myself. I always wanted to get back to Emu Park to retire so I made it my mission to join. I was previously a member of East Palmerston branch in North Queensland before retiring.
My absolute passion for cooking made it a no brainer to join the Country Kitchens program as soon as I heard of it. I deliver the program with my partner in crime and fellow Emu Park branch facilitator Vicki. At every branch meeting we share the Monthly Munch with members, highlight the 5 key messages, and give our branch an update on past and upcoming Country Kitchens activities. We also usually provide a delicious Country Kitchens recipe for morning tea on the day!
Together, Vicki and I have delivered a range of activities across the Division. Recently we approached the local supermarket Drakes and set up a Country Kitchens display with taste testers to catch the shopping rush one Saturday morning. The stand was a great success and we sold our entire stock of cookbooks! The following day we also held a stall at the Emu Park Markets to demonstrate some healthy breakfast recipes. We had lots of great comments on the day about our set up and the food. In March, we catered for over 30 people at the Capricornia Division Executive meeting with a range of Country Kitchens recipes to great success. We also assisted at a cooking workshop for residents at Oaktree Retirement Village in Norman Gardens.
Outside of the QCWA I am the secretary of the Emu Park Ladies Auxiliary and have often been asked to cook for the local Men’s Shed if they are having a function. Aside from cooking, I really love a lot of crafts, but I would have to say my passions are hand stitching and card making.
I guess my strength is determination. I will never give up on something I am passionate about so I will always try to get my message out there where I feel it would help. I would really love to expand Country Kitchens out into the Emu Park community more broadly. I have already been approached by the local Girl Guides to talk to their group about the program and I endeavour to get healthy lunchbox ideas out to the country schools in the area. However, everything I do comes back to the people around me, and I could not do it without everyone’s help… teamwork equals dream work!
