Queer project to bring colour

BALLARAT’S natural resources are set to receive a splash of colour during Pride Month as part of a community initiative aimed at including everyone in the calendar celebration.

Throughout June, the City of Ballarat supported initiative will see select trees covered in colourful displays of crochet and yarn as a way of highlighting the region’s queer communities.

“The aim is to share the beauty and vibrancy of the local LGBTIQA+ community with the larger community and celebrate it,” said Ballarat Pride Yarn Bombing Project coordinator Caitlin Brown.

“Ten per cent of people in Ballarat identify as queer. Prep has been happening since February and we’ve been trying to get as many people and community groups involved as possible.

“We want this to be a thing that lots of people can participate in and enjoy.”

An initiative between Ms Brown and local crafter Kit Hamilton, the pair are working to deliver crocheting workshops to high schools as well as potentially at the Ballarat Library to help get the broader community involved.

Supplies have also been dropped off with community groups such as Rainbow Coffee Ballarat getting involved.

Community members are also encouraged to craft their own rectangles and squares to contribute, which can be dropped off at Town Hall until the end of April.

Sizes can range between 20cm x 20cm, 20cm x 40cm, or 40cm x 40cm.

“The hope is that anyone who lives in Ballarat will catch sight of a tree,” Ms Brown said.

“The yarn will be dispersed on trees at public property like parks or the library or on the street. We’re going to make a map of all the trees that’ll be decorated and that’ll go out on our social media.

“There’s going to be prizes too for the first 10 people who visit them all.”

Once removed from the trees the crochet and knitwear is to be repurposed into blankets for the Ballarat Animal Shelter.

To get involved, email [email protected].