Stories of people’s lives over a quarter of a century formed a common thread at the Beaudesert Quilters 25th anniversary celebrations.
The room where the group meets each week behind the Beaudesert Visitor Information Centre was buzzing with nostalgia as members from across the decades gathered to celebrate.
A special 25th anniversary wall hanging embroidered with the names of members past and present, and when members did a show and tell of their creations there was a story behind every quilt.
Story continues after photos, below
There were stories of passion projects years in the making and zero to hero quilting, but what really stood out was the creativity, design flair, determination and friendship shared by the local quilting community.
One member showed off her very first quilt, which she started 18 or 19 years ago and only finished two weeks before the celebrations (but she had done many other projects in between).
Another shared a quilt she made 20 years ago, for her now 60-year-old daughter’s 40th birthday.
There was a quilt one member quilted for her husband when he was in care at Star Gardens, and a quilt another member started in 1998 and finished in 2016 for her son who loves dogs.
There was even a work in progress quilt covered in Australian wildlife, which Secretary Carol Elliot was working on at the celebrations, to send to family abroad.
President Robyn Vine reflected on the history of the group.
“The first meeting of Beaudesert Quilters was held on Tuesday 18th March 1997, the meeting opened at 12.05pm at Everyday Café,” she said.
“The first attendees were Pauline Rodgers, Wendy Hanson, Andre Evans, Jessie Young, June Costello, Ellen Logan, Ingrid Mevisson, Ann Cahill, Mary Magro, Val Love, Wendy Venz, Dianne O’Neill and Margaret Harden.
“To the present, I would like to thank Ann Cahill for her idea for our 25th Anniversary wall hanging and all the members getting behind Ann and helping with the embroidery. Thank you to my committee, Secretary Carol Elliot and Treasurer Chris Cumming and to Joan Smith for her input and help.”
