Older Women's Network Queensland Inc.

09/06/2026

04/06/2026

OWNQ held two key events last week.

Our Housing – Which Direction Is Right for You? workshop, supported by the Queensland Government's Empowering Queensland Women Grant Program, brought together 80 women in Mackay for a full day of learning about housing services and living arrangement options as you age.

We were very privileged to have expert speakers from Q Shelter Caxton Community Legal Centre, Services Australia, Footprints Community, Relationships Australia Qld and who presented on a range of topics including older women and homelessness, the legal aspects of over-50s lifestyle villages, downsizing, financial information services, planning for retirement, housing services for older women, and financial abuse.

We also held a special panel where four women shared their personal housing experiences moderated by Deb Rae.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, in particular our OWN Mackay members, who played a key role in organising the day.

We hope the women who attended left feeling more informed and confident about where to go for support and advice.

OWNQ also held its annual Face-to-Face Branch Support Team Meeting at the Brisbane Libraries Nundah Library. These in-person gatherings allow OWNQ to thank and acknowledge the important work our teams do in their local communities. They also provide a valuable opportunity to share ideas and learn from one another.

We were fortunate to have Shirley Edwards, a new member and Hearing Loss Advocate, join us. Shirley spoke about the importance of making our communities inclusive and accessible. One way to achieve this is by providing real-time captioning at our branches.

Captions support people with hearing impairments, language barriers, and information processing difficulties. Shirley demonstrated how easy it is to organise live captioning, and the significant, life-changing impact it can have on our friends, family, and community members. Watch this space as we'll be sharing more with you as we learn more from Shirley.

28/05/2026

Older women in The Leap and nearby communities are invited to celebrate the launch of a new Older Women’s Network (Qld) Inc. branch for the Mackay region.

Make friends, support each other, learn new skills and enjoy life. Members shape what we do, from get-togethers and outings to speakers and shared interests.

Enjoy new opportunities, great company and connection close to home.

Yakapari Country Crafts and Community Centre Mackay Regional Council

19/05/2026

The Older Women’s Network (Qld) Inc. is largely volunteer run, with just the equivalent of one full time staff member. Yet every day, incredible things happen across our branches and through the dedication of our Management Committee.

The real strength of the organisation comes from older women creating welcoming spaces in their communities. Places of friendship, support, belonging and shared experience. Places that matter.

This is made possible by members who generously give their time, knowledge, care and lived experience to others.

During Volunteer Week, we recognise and celebrate the women who keep these spaces alive. Women who show up for others, make time for others, and help build stronger, more connected communities.

You are inspiring, and we thank you.

13/05/2026

National Older Women's Network Inc President, Beverly Baker on ABC Radio National this morning speaking with Sally Sara on what the latest budget means for seniors and older women in particular.

Intergenerational fairness is a key focus of Labor's budget this week - with changes to tax concessions aimed at helping young people get a foot in the door of the property market. But it's not just young people who are struggling with the housing crisis - older women have been recognised as the fas...

12/05/2026

Today we proudly celebrate International Nurses Day!

With so many of our members having worn the nurse’s uniform during their working lives, we couldn’t let this special day pass without a heartfelt shout out.

Nurses are the beating heart of our healthcare system.

Thank you for your compassion, your courage, and everything you do!


Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Queensland Health

07/05/2026

Something exciting is coming to The Leap!

We’re getting ready to launch a brand new branch for women in The Leap and surrounding communities, our second branch in the Mackay region.

If you’re looking to expand your social circle, enjoy guest speakers, stay connected to community life, and be part of positive ageing in a welcoming space, this could be just what you’ve been waiting for.

Watch this space for launch details coming soon.

We can’t wait to welcome you!

Yakapari Country Crafts and Community Centre Mackay Regional Council

06/05/2026

Older women.

Mums. Grandmothers. Aunties. Sisters. Friends.
Yes.

But also
The ones who show up.
Sleeves rolled up.
Steady. Reliable. Present.

Beautiful.

April continues our 2026 Queensland Seniors Calendar and series - each month pairs a portrait with reflections that challenge ageist assumptions.

This month we’re reflecting on the words of Betty Friedan: “Ageing is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” This quote reminds us that later life brings its own strengths, shaped by experience, confidence, and resilience 🩵🪻

28/04/2026

A lovely way to mark a big milestone!

On Thursday we celebrated OWN Gympie’s 30th Birthday, an afternoon of shared stories, photos, a few speeches, and plenty of laughter (with the choir adding something truly special).

We were especially grateful to welcome June, one of our founding members, alongside other long-time members who’ve helped shape the branch since day one. Hearing how it all began, and how far it’s come, was a real highlight.

Thirty years on, OWN Gympie is still a welcoming place for older women to connect locally, find helpful information, and enjoy friendship and fun in a supportive setting.

We’re mindful that this milestone is built on the work of many volunteers over the years, too many to name. Thank you for the time, care and energy you’ve given.

Thank you to the Gympie Bowls Club for the wonderful set-up and generous hospitality, and to the Gympie RSL Choir for the beautiful performance, and for getting us all singing along.

To everyone who joined us (including those who travelled from afar), thank you for being part of the celebration.

Here’s to the next chapter. If you’re an older woman in the Gympie region and would like to connect, you’re warmly invited to come along to a meeting and see what we’re about.

Send us an email at [email protected] to find out when and where we meet.

Queensland Women

Gympie Regional Council

25/02/2026

SAVE THE DATE – Tuesday 26 May | Mackay

OWNQ is pleased to share that we’ve secured funding through the Queensland Government’s Empowering Queensland Women grant program to deliver an important one-day housing workshop for older women in Mackay.

As housing becomes more complex and costly, having clear, practical information matters. This workshop will explore a range of options and considerations as we age — recognising that every woman’s circumstances are different.

Topics will include lifestyle village contracts and their legal and financial implications, selling or downsizing, relocating, living with adult children, and the housing support services available to older women.

Importantly, women will have the opportunity to hear from and speak with a range of professionals — all in one place. Our aim is simple: to ensure women feel informed, prepared and confident about their next steps.

More details coming soon. For now, mark your calendar — this will be a valuable and practical day.



Queensland Women Mackay Regional Council Queensland Government