Community & Business
23 January, 2026
Busy year ahead for Mareeba QCWA
IT will be a big year for members of Mareeba’s Queensland Country Women’s Association as the local group celebrates its centenary.
While the focus will be on centenary observances and displays, the Mareeba QCWA members will still maintain their year-round activities with their presence at regular markets, according to Mareeba QCWA president Helen Elmes.
The long-established community organisation began in 1921 and has grown to become a nationwide network.
Mareeba QCWA members began in 1926 and have been at the forefront of community activities across the town and region, with widespread community involvement and personal development benefits for members.
The Mareeba QCWA originally provided a welcome respite for women and children travelling from country communities and far-flung cattle stations on the then massive Far Northern railway network to Mareeba, or further to Cairns.
“Mareeba QCWA became a popular stop for women to freshen up during their long train journeys and also to have a chat about various matters and to just keep in touch in a welcoming environment,” Mrs Elmes said.
It also provided a venue for a baby and child clinic where trained nurses and medical staff checked up on the progress of young children, not only from remote areas, but also for the Mareeba township and environs.
“Mareeba QCWA members also championed the construction of the town’s original Pensioner Cottages, which closed a massive accommodation gap for aged people right across the Mareeba community who wanted to live independently,” Mrs Elmes said.
“With the arrival of World War II, Mareeba QCWA was at the forefront, together with many local organisations, attending to the needs of armed services with regular contacts with literally thousands of Army and RAAF personnel.”
These days, Mareeba QCWA members meet each month at their premises at the corner of Wilkes and Dempster Streets on the third Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 18 February.
Craft mornings are also held on the third Wednesday of each month, and will begin on 25 February. Regular markets are held at Mareeba Post Office Centre every second week, starting on 26 February.
“A special Mareeba QCWA Centenary commemorative calendar is currently on sale at our markets to mark the event and also assist our association as a fundraiser,” Mrs Elmes said.
“After our popular pre-Christmas calendar sales, there are a few left, and anyone seeking one, or wishing to join our group, can contact me on 0477 941 717.”
