CraftExpo has been heaps of fun and aside from the great shopping and workshops as well as the range of displays and special features. Friday was a bit of a VIP day!
| Victorian locals Anne Galetti and Judy Gipps were acknowledged today at CraftExpo for their extraordinary efforts in staging a massive bushfire appeal during the Victorian bushfires The women activated the world-wide quilting community calling to action hundreds of quilters from as far as New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the USA stitch to sew for the greater good. |
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We were lucky enough to have the Federal Member for McEwen, The Hon Fran Bailey MP presenting special CraftExpo certificates of appreciation to Anne and Judy at 11am this morning.
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These two women set themselves the enormous task of giving every person that had lost their homes to the devastating fires a handcrafted quilt. To date Anne and Judy have collected 1500 quilts and distributed them across fire affected areas.
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Having witnessed the devastating effects of the bushfires so close from the quilting shop where she worked in Healesville, Anne Galetti like so many others wondered how she could possibly help. At a loss given the magnitude and far reaching effects of the bushfires, Anne approached Judy Gipps of the Victorian Quilters Guild. Utilizing the resources of the Victorian Quilters Guild and the quilting community at large they staged a massive nationwide call out to quilters asking for quilts and sewing materials. Hoping that each quilt would be like a loving hug and provide some comfort to those that had lost everything, it wasn't long before the message spread overseas with quilting guilds all over the world embracing the duo's efforts and sending in quilts.
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As you can see there was heaps of media from a range of outlets attended and covered the presentation. Channel Seven, the ABC and SBS all turned up as to did AAP news wire service.
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Quilts arrived in boxes and packages from guilds and individuals touched by the call. With Judy's garage turned into a sorting and distribution centre, Judy coordinated the effort from Melbourne whilst Anne identified the needy from the coal face.
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Anne explained, "Some of our most treasured items in life are the ones that are made, with love, by complete strangers". So congrats ladies and all involved for a great job. Don't miss this weekend's fun at CraftExpo!
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