Queensland Country Women’s Association celebrates 100 years, Joy Guymer says organisation her ‘salvation’

A lifesaving organisation that helped a grandmother push on after the sudden loss of her husband has celebrated a special milestone. Read her story here.

At 93 years old, a Toowoomba grandmother has dedicated 72 years of her life to helping other rural women survive in a sometimes difficult world.

Joy Guymer remembers being involved with the Country Women’s Association as a young girl, and having to catch a horse from the paddock to attend meetings with her sister.

In 1950, Mrs Guymer married her first husband and moved to Wieambilla, where her family would run a sheep station.

In 1962, her husband suddenly died from a heart attack, five days before he was meant to undergo a heart assessment.

“It was a bit of a blow … but (QCWA) was my salvation,” she said.

Joy Guymer from Kingsthorpe QCWA, a member for 72 years. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“They were very supportive, and (encouraged me) to carry on, and do the good work I had been.

“I just thought, there is a tomorrow and we have to survive and keep going.”

Battling through drought and flooding rains, Mrs Guymer said she had held every position through the QCWA west division, before moving to Toowoomba in 1996.

“The time has gone quickly, and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it,” she said.

“It’s so different to what we did when we first started … we used to travel all over the place on the train.

“I’ve seen so many changes, and I think the next 100 years will have a lot more changes.”

During her 72 years with the organisation, Mrs Guymer said she would travel across the state to judge machine knitting in country shows, including the Brisbane show.

“I’ve always been involved in shows, crafts … I did hundreds of wedding cakes,” she said.

“Looking back, it was all a great journey. I could never say I was ever bored.”

The Toowoomba branch recently held a celebratory high-tea in honour of the QCWA’s centenary.

See the photos here

Natalie Bugden, division vice president (left) and Mary Cole, president Toowoomba Branch with the new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II supplied by Garth Hamilton, Member for Groom. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

(from left) Val Mason (left) and Lesa Bradshaw. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Robin Johnson (left) and Lorna Higgs from Crows Nest QCWA. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Alison Wilkes (left) and Joy Guymer from Kingsthorpe QCWA. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

(from left) Jeanne Christian, Frances Tilly and Valerie McNamara. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Sue Kenny (left) and Phyllis Zirbel. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

(from left) Frances Tilly, Clive Berghofer and Garth Hamilton, Member for Groom. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

(from left) Shirley Huth, Lurlene Flint and Elsie Reynolds from Middle Ridge QCWA. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen

Anne Wardill (left) and Barbara Harth from Goombungee QCWA. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

(from left) Greg Kowald, president Darling Downs QCWA Elaine Kiesker, and TRC Mayor Paul Antonio. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

(from left) Adelaide Graham 11yo, Megan Graham, Libby Gardiner and Maeve Petrie 10yo. Adelaide and Maeve are members of the Junior Associates Craft Group. High tea to celebrate 100 years of the QCWA. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.