Facilitators in the Spotlight

2021 Southern Region Facilitator of the Year

I joined the Country Kitchens program because I love cooking, teaching others new skills, and helping my community. I have been a Country Kitchens Facilitator for two years and am now the Darling Downs Division Country Kitchens Convenor as well.

Locally we have delivered showcases at shows, run workshops with kids through the day care and with the refugee community through St Vincent de Paul. in each activity/event I have been able to promote the 5 key messages aimed at reducing lifestyle related chronic disease.

As a facilitator I thoroughly enjoy delivering workshops and interacting with kids, while passing on knowledge about healthy eating. I also enjoy handcrafts and growing my own vegetables and flowers.

2021 Central Region Facilitator of the Year

My absolute passion for cooking made it a no-brainer to join the Country Kitchens program, and I have been a Facilitator for over 12 months now. I recently completed Level 4 training in the Country Kitchens PATHway.

I deliver the program with fellow Emu Park branch facilitator, Vicki. At every branch meeting, we share the Monthly Munch, highlight the 5 key messages and update members on recent and upcoming Country Kitchens events. We also usually provide a delicious Country Kitchens recipe for morning tea on the day!

Vicki and I have delivered a range of activities across our Division including a display with taste testers and cookbooks for sale in the local supermarket; a showcase demonstrating healthy breakfasts at the Emu Park Markets; and a cooking workshop at a retirement village. We have plans to cook for the local Men’s Shed, promote the program with the Girl Guides and introduce healthy lunchbox ideas to schools in our area.

In 2012 I became a member of the Toowoomba City Business Women Branch and when the Country Kitchens program was announced I jumped at the opportunity to contribute to something that QCWA women have always done best – supporting their local communities.

Through the Country Kitchens program we aim to support people in our local communities to improve their health by learning to cook healthier meals at home and increasing their vegetable and fruit consumption. By becoming a facilitator, not only have I learned and improved my own cooking skills, but I get to meet and share with lots of interesting local people.

Through the Country Kitchens program, QCWA women can still be acknowledged for their skill in the kitchen, but these days we aim to spread the word that home-cooked meals and treats can not only be delicious but super nutritious too!

I became a Country Kitchens facilitator because I enjoy working with people and rolling out the program through the QCWA; it’s a great opportunity to showcase healthier eating and lifestyle options. I am also Country Kitchens Convenor for Maranoa Division. My favourite part is the Hands on Nutrition Workshops because these allow participants guidance in healthy eating while preparing healthy meals.

My favourite thing about being a facilitator is knowing I am a small part of the big picture in improving community health and wellbeing. I also enjoy the wonderful support from the professional and tireless Country Kitchens team.

I have run workshops with Girl Guides in Chinchilla, showcased the program with the University of the Third Age and various state events. I am enjoying my role and can support any members who wish to start their journey with the Country Kitchens Program.

A facilitator for five years, I enjoy sharing my skills in cooking, gardening, and all forms of handcraft, especially with young people. And the Country Kitchens program offers a wonderful extension of the QCWA’s commitment to supporting the health and well-being of Queensland families.

Supported by the Country Kitchens team, and fellow members I am able to promote the 5 key messages through attending training days, supporting Hands on Nutrition Workshops; conducting showcases and demonstrations at branches, open days, agricultural shows, schools and community groups.

Every Country Kitchens activity or event supports members and the community in maintaining healthy, happy lives and reaching their full potential.

I love that the program offers opportunities for me to help improve the health of my community, all while being supported by the Country Kitchens team of professional dietitians and nutritionists.

In order to reinforce the 5 key messages of the program, I usually have them on display in our QCWA hall for members and other groups who use the space to see. Occasionally, I have also seized the opportunity to set up a showcase for our local agricultural show (the sugary drinks display makes a real statement!), and with the help of the team, run some Hands-on Nutrition Workshops.

Usually, I am a quiet person who prefers to be in the background doing handcrafts, but I find it very exciting and encouraging to see how quickly these community workshops book out! I am even planning some more workshops for early next year!

In 2017 I joined the Country Kitchens program because I am passionate about health and healthy eating and believe we can make a difference in our communities, especially among young people. I am ardent about getting our kids to eat less sugar and get back to basic, natural foods. I enjoy marketing and publicity; knitting, photography, craft, floral art and writing.

I became a facilitator after attending the first workshop four years ago. I enjoy working with members, collaborating with other community groups and looking for opportunities to show case activities.

As a Country Kitchens facilitator I have held events/activities at the Charleville Healthy Ageing Centre, Thargomindah’s and Charleville’s School of Distance Education sports week, a Quilpie QCWA workshop, Charleville Show Foodie Talk and many cooking demonstrations across several years. I enjoy reading, gardening and cooking new recipes to enjoy with family and friends.

2022 Central Region Facilitator of the Year

I joined the Country Kitchens program almost two years ago. I am a wife and mother to four children. I work part time, and originally joined the program to improve my knowledge about nutrition and good food, as well as learn easy ways to make good nutritious choices.  However, I soon found I was getting much more from the program than I imagined. I have proudly accepted the role as Country Kitchens convenor for Capricornia division. As convenor I have been working on fostering support, good communication and sharing resources amongst our division. I firmly believe the more people practicing and spreading the 5 Key Messages, the more we will be able to help improve the health of our state.

I have been a QCWA Country Kitchens facilitator for five years now. I registered to learn more about healthy eating and nutrition myself, with the goal to then be able to pass on the knowledge in my community. In 2022, I delivered two hands on nutrition workshops with a total of 30 students as part of the Longreach School of Distance Education’s cluster week. The students enjoyed learning about the 5 key messages, as well as how to make healthy sausage rolls and apple crumble. Everyone should get involved with Country Kitchens as it is a great way to learn skills for a healthier lifestyle, and to positively influence the health of others in your community.

I have been a Country Kitchens facilitator with the Gracemere branch since 2019, completing all five levels of the training PATHway. I have worn many hats with QCWA over the years including Branch Treasurer, Division International Officer, Division Treasurer and former Division President for Capricornia. I am a community minded person, I love travelling, especially overseas and I am also passionately involved with the Royal Flying Doctors Service Rockhampton Auxiliary. I believe Country Kitchens is a great health promotion program to improve the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders. I think the 5 key messages; to get more fruit and veg into our meals, to cook at home, to check our portion sizes, to be aware of sugar in our drinks and to sit less, move more, are important to help us change our habits for healthy outcomes.

I have been a Country Kitchens facilitator with the Howard branch since 2017. Over the past 22 years I have worn many hats within QCWA and am now the State Vice President of the Central Region. I’m all about teamwork and love seeing QCWA members have their day brightened by seeing their QCWA friends and joining in one of our activities.

I believe the Country Kitchens 5 key messages strike a chord in all our hearts – we all want our loved ones to be healthier and happier. The 5 key messages encourage us to get more fruit and veg into our meals, to cook at home, to check our portion sizes, to be aware of sugar in our drinks and to sit less, move more. Everything we do at Country Kitchens comes back to these 5 key messages.