Whitsunday CWA reaches out to fire victim

They’ve attracted the nick name "chicks with attitude" for a good reason you know.

They stand up for what’s right, they’re empathetic and they fight for equality. While times have changed considerably since the Queensland Country Women’s Association’s inception some 90 years ago, a small branch of the QCWA has proven once again they never steer far from their association’s core values.

Remember the woman whose home was burned down south of Bloomsbury a few weeks ago? Did you wonder what became of her?

The QCWA pioneer division president Marie Baulch heard of the woman’s plight and offered her free rent in their Midge Point cottage "Lethebrook".

"A member from the Calen branch called me and told me about the fire. It so happened that our beach cottage was empty so we offered it to her. She was so grateful. It was such a worry off her shoulders to be left with nothing after a fire would be so awful. That’s what our organisation is all about – helping women, children and families in times of need, be it cyclone, flood, fire or drought," Ms Baulch said.

QCWA member Vi Bradford who looks after the cottage at Midge Point said their guest was the most lovely person you’d hope to meet.

"I had a few cuppas with her. There were tears and then there was laughter. For the QCWA to be able to help out at times like this means so much to everyone," Ms Bradford said.

The guest did not want her name printed, but left a beautiful message for those who helped in her time of great need.

"To find yourself homeless and without possessions overnight is a huge shock and I really did not know where to go or what to do. The last couple of weeks have felt like an eternity as I try to get myself organised and gather the courage for the future. You have assisted me greatly in this – and for that – I am eternally grateful. Thank you and God bless," was the lovely message in the guest book.

There’s nothing left of the house that the woman had newly rented a few kilometres south of Bloomsbury, just the tin roofing and a few beams and the sad memory of a little old timber home that once stood proudly in the beautiful Taranga valley.