Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last month I enjoyed my second visit to the Country Women's Association Mermaid Beach Branch for their 60th annual meeting, albeit masked. At the meeting I had the opportunity to share updates regarding the vaccine rollout. Most of the women had already received their first dose of the vaccine, which was fantastic to hear.

In 2020, the wonderful and selfless members of the QCWA at Mermaid Beach volunteered for a total of 13,200 hours in our Gold Coast community. They supported those who needed it most during the pandemic. The community spirit is exactly what the Gold Coast is known for.

As part of these 13,200 hours, the ladies knitted small beanies for premature and stillborn babies in our Gold Coast hospitals and knitted toys for babies in the NICU to help provide small comfort for those families who experience heartache, trauma and uncertainty. They also make fidget blankets to support those with dementia to use when they receive their treatment. At the beginning of the pandemic, the QCWA in Mermaid Beach made hundreds of litres of soup and donated to HAVAFEED Community Relief in the Mermaid Beach Community Centre. They support those less fortunate, who are doing it tough.

I commend President Jan Woolmer and her team: Secretary Carmel Caswell, vice-presidents Cathy Walsh and Linda Mariner, Treasurer Dawn Johansen and all the members for the outstanding work they do in our community. QCWA Mermaid Beach truly deserves to be recognised. (Time expired)

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