50 years of service to the QCWA

Betty Cocharine - Photo credit; Sian Bantock

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By Sian Bantock

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Betty Cocharine holds a remarkable accolade within the Tully branch of the Queensland Women’s Country Association (QCWA) - she has been apart of the group for the last 50 years and is the longest serving member.  

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Betty and her husband moved to Tully in the mid-1970s for his work selling fertiliser.  

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“Coming to a rural town was quite daunting at first and I only knew my husband; back then I wouldn’t have spoken to a goose,” Betty said.  

“One of my neighbours invited me to the next meeting and when I arrived I felt like I was their grandchild ‘cause they were so nice to me.”  

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Across the last five decades, Betty has seen the QCWA branch play a steady and practical role within the local community - from making sandwiches for schools sports day, supporting expectant mothers, hosting social nights, playing card games, group yoga and collecting donations local causes.  

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“The old motto is: it’s what we can do for the CWA not what CWA can do for us”  

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For residents like Betty, the Tully QCWA became a lifeline - a place to build confidence, find friendship and support the local community.  

The branch remains active today and continues to welcome new members. Reach out to the secretary at: tullybranch@qcwa.org.au  

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