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.
