Bellarine gets crafty for bushfires

FEELING helpless as bushfires burned across the country and unsure how to help the country’s decimated wildlife, Sarah Muling began to sew.
What began as one simple, three-layer bag that orphaned or injured animals can rest and recover in, evolved into a mass sewing bee which ran over two days (January 11 – 12) at the Ocean Grove Pavilion.
“What started as a call out to on my local community Facebook page (Ocean Grove Barwon Heads) for additional supplies as I made bags on my own at home, has rapidly grown into a community of 145 people members (and growing),” Ms Muling said.
Sarah formed Bellarine Bushfire Crafters, a volunteer group made up of various members of the community from the surf coast region of the Bellarine peninsula.
“Australian rescue shelters responding to the bushfire crisis need bedding supplies for orphaned and injured animals. The group was formed in response to this need, and is part of the larger, now worldwide community known as the ‘Animal Rescue Craft Guild’.
“Everyone has come together to help in any way they can, be that through fabric donations, cutting fabric, sewing up items or other tasks. We had over 80 participants and have completed 753 joey pouches and 36 hanging joey pouches.
“Fabric has also been cut for an additional 225 pouches and 550 liners which is being distributed among sewers to complete.”
Ms Muling said alongside co-organisers Kym Scherf, Di Tatlock and Rachel Hammond, they will set about distributing the pouches.
“The bags are being distributed around on a needs basis. Some will stay locally at our very own Jirrahlinga koala and wildlife sanctuary; some will head up to New South Wales and some will remain in Victoria.
“There is some flexibility required as we are responding to carers as their needs arise  and/or change.”
The groups materials were donated by members of the local community and received support from local traders: Susty Hub, Feed Me Bellarine and Ocean Grove Pizza and Pasta; Parade Espresso Bar and Driftwood; Ocean Grove Home Hardware; Nerida Hansen print and textiles; Spotlight Geelong; local op-shops and osteopath services from James Muling of 13th Beach
Health Services.