Women Walk the World - FULL ARTICLE
Excerpt from Sumpton’s Gold Rush Gazette - Friday 2nd of May 2025
Helen Molony, Jackie Braddrick, Carol Ralph, Suzi Harwood, Marg Murley, Gloria Battle, Lyn Toohey, Ailsa McIntosh. Jenny Potter and Maxine Leggit at the Women Walk the World Event within the Goldtower Precinct
Charters Towers QCWA members took part in the Women Walk the World event, passing the mosaic mural at Goldtower’s Poppet Head Plaza.
The event is held to raise funds and awareness for rural women through the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).
QCWA’s participation reflects its deep ties to the international movement supporting grassroots projects in more than 70 countries.
Charters Towers QCWA publicity officer and executive team member Jenny Potter explained the significance of the walk and its connection to a global cause.
“Queensland ‘QCWA’ is affiliated with the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), an organisation based in London,” she said.
“The ACWW's ‘Rural Women in Action Fund’ receives donations to connect and support women and communities worldwide.
“Women Walk the World is an annual event held on or around the 29 April.
“The idea is that groups of people from 70 countries will walk across time zones raising awareness of the work ACWW achieves and to raise much needed funds.
“QCWA is very proud of our founding President, Mrs Ruth Fairfax, who as early as 1930 traveled to London to be our representative at the International Conference of the Rural Women's Organisation.
“This was the beginning of the ACWW.”
2025 marked the fourth time the Charters Towers QCWA branch participated in the event, having first taken part in 2014 at Centenary Park and most recently at the Miners' Memorial Walk.
Jenny Potter also emphasised that the QCWA’s work extends far beyond tradition, highlighting their broader community projects and international contributions.
“QCWA is more than tea and scones,” she said.
“The QCWA supports not only our local community, but is part of a worldwide body that shares our goals and objectives.
“QCWA branch members contribute through their local international activities and fundraising.
“Our other ACWW activities include a monthly raffle, Kits for Kids (school supplies), clothing for toddlers and primary aged children, and currently we are assembling sewing kits in recycled glasses cases which will be going to our Pacific island neighbours.
“Monetary donations can be made at our branch or online at acww.org.uk.”