Some of the History of the Helidon Branch which was founded in the year 1933.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Mrs Lellie Hickmott for her foresight in caring
for the book which records the report of the Third annual Meeting of the Branch
dated 30th November 1936.
The monthly meetings are also reported in this book up to the date of the Branch disbanding on December 9th 1940.

Helidon also had a Younger Set at that time.
I have tried to gather names of the members of the Parent Branch from the report book:-
Mrs J. Graham, Mrs J. Grayson, Mrs McErlean, Mrs W. Hedges, Mrs Shelvey, Mrs Pickersgill,
Mrs Cheetham, Mrs A. Bourke, Mrs Stephenson and Mrs Styles.

Younger Set members were, 1936 - 37:-
Miss K. McGovern, Miss J. Graham, Miss L. Graham, Miss K. Gorman, Miss L. Conley, Miss E. Smith and Miss Ratcliffe.

Mrs J. Graham was Branch President on and off during the period the branch existed. She was also
Younger Set Supervisor and at the time of her death she occupied both positions.

We have a lady here today who was a Vice President of the branch during 1936-40,
Mrs McErlean.
We also have a lady by the name Mrs L. Hickmott who was a Younger Setter during that period.
When she was President of the set there were thirteen members. The younger Set eventually
disbanded and those girls who were interested joined the Parent Branch.
One of their fund raisers was a "Crettone and Flannel" dance.

When the Branch disbanded in 1940, the ladies became involved with Red Cross work.

The Branch was reformed again during 1944.
Mrs J. Wilkinson was President at the time of the opening of the building on 16th February 1957.
I have gathered some names of members of the Branch at that time, if I have missed any I apologise.
President - Mrs D. Krause, Secretary - Mrs A. Paroz, Treasurer - Mrs R. Andrew, Mrs Wilkinson,
Mrs R. Kelso, Mrs J. Barclay, Mrs M. Greer, Mrs D. Wedrat, Mrs L. Hickmott, Mrs Hedges, Miss Fairbanks.
If there are any others I will be pleased to add them for future reference.

Today we think of those ladies with great respect knowing how hard they worked to raise the 40 pounds to purchase the land which the building stands upon.
The money to pay for the building was borrowed from the Darling Downs Divisional loan fund
and was paid back as the money came to hand through the management of these ladies.

We must not forget the men who worked in a voluntary capacity, under the guidance of Mr W. Werth
(a builder) to erect the building. Those men worked hard to make the project an accomplished fact.
We have kept the photo of them on the wall to remind us that Country Women cannot progress
without help from the men. Sadly, only one of those faces is left to tell the tale.

The final payment of the loan was made in June 1960, when Mrs Andrew was President.
The Plaque that is mounted on the front door honors the officers at the time of the opening.
It was presented to the branch by Mr. E. McCormack, the then Chairman of the Gatton Shire Council.
It was presented at the 1959 annual meeting and placed where it is to this day and unveiled at the
1960 Birthday Party.

Mrs E. McIntyre performed the official opening. She was Vice President of the Division and Younger
Set Supervisor at the time. She later went on to become State President and for years was Editor
of the Journal.

Mrs Marie Speed O.B.E., was Divisional President at that time. She also went on to be State President.
Mrs June Kapernick was Zone 2 Vice President up to 1957. She was a busy dairy farmers wife with
small children and had to give up her position. Mrs Margaret McKay took over from her, and we have
her with us today.

Mrs McIntrye had an interest in the building as there was a thriving Younger Set here under the
supervision of Mrs Bessie Loveday for six years. One of the highlights of her experience with the
girls was a Debutante Ball. Mrs Pattie Turner, who is with us today, was their Chairman at the
time. The Helidon Younger Set won 1st prize for their display at the 1937 Gatton Show.

During the year 1963-64 the "Save the Trees" Committee gave each Branch in Queensland a
tree suitable to the locality to plant in their grounds. We planted ours on the left hand side of the door and then were asked by the Rockmount-Stockyard Branch to plant theirs as they had no one to care for it.

State President, Mrs Chrissie Atherton visited the Branch in 1958, when Mrs Wedrat was
President of the Branch. Dame Alice Berry visited us in October 1961. There were so many
of us here that day that we felt like sardines in a tin, which decided us to enlarge the building.
Money was borrowed from the Divisional loan fund again and paid off by catering for cattle sales, auction sales and anything that raised money. Mr G. Corbett carried out the extensions and since then we have used part of that space to install septic toilets.

In 1964, the Branch won the Baldock Sheild which is awarded to the Branch in the Division
who has the most increase in membership during the year.

During 1974 the Flag of the Associated Country Women of the World travelled through
Queensland. Arrangements were made with the other Branches ot Zone 2 for the flag to
be unfurled at Helidon. The flag arrived at Helidon at 9am on the 29th July 1974.
Mrs Parlour, Divisional President for Darling Downs drove her car carrying the flag and
scroll. Mrs Kenny, State International Officer who was responsible for the flag travelled
with her. The procession passed through a guard of honour formed by local school
children and teachers, CWA members and friends and was handed to Mr McCormack,
Shire Chaiman by Mrs Kenny. The flag was hoisted by Mr McCormack and Mrs Kenny
addressed the gathering.

The year 2000
The Helidon Branch still meets every third Wednesday of each month with a
membership of 10 members.
Bingo is played every Wednesday. We also have cent sales.
We have cookery competitions and have had members in the State Finals which we
have won for our cakes and jams.
The hall is rented for meetings and parties.
Helidon Progress Association uses the hall for meetings also.
The Presidents position is held for three years.
The positions for Secretary and Treasurer are held for six years.

The Present Officers for 2007 are:
Mrs A. Walterson - President
Mrs Kawinowski - Secretary
Mrs D. Wedrat - Treasurer