Coffee crew sew up support

ON the first and third Thursday of every month, about a dozen women get together for craft, coffee, and a chat.

Meeting at the Brown Hill Uniting Church, the group was formed by congregation members with the aim of providing a social outlet for women in the region.

Church treasurer Judy Wainewright established the get-togethers about six years ago following the passing of her husband.

“We got approval from the church council to start running these. There was definitely a need for this sort of thing,” she said.

“We make all sorts of things. I do some patchwork, bags, cross-stitch. A lot of us knit, and knit for fun. Put it like this, you can knit and talk at the same time.”

Since forming, the sessions have grown from eight to 12 regular attendees.

Liz Mason is the church’s secretary and also one of the founders of the group. She brought in three members of the old Brown Hill Country Women’s Association, where she was also a member.

Ms Mason said she always looks forward to potentially meeting new people in the community.

“It’s a friendship group,” she said. “Most of us live alone. We’re aware now that loneliness is an issue in the community and we feel this is something the church group can address.”

“I probably wouldn’t meet some of the members of our community if it weren’t for this. One of our newer members needed a push to join but she’s really enjoying herself now.”

Ms Wainewright said their get-togethers have gone beyond their initial aim.

“A lot of the women knit for charity,” she said. “We’ve got a couple ladies who knit scarves for the Soup Bus and that sort of thing.

“Another lady makes knitted dolls for children in hospitals.”

The get-togethers generally cost a gold coin which are pooled together to be donated once a year to the Brown Hill kindergarten.

The coffee, craft and chat group meets fortnightly from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.