Crafting group creates tight-knit culture

FROM 10am to midday each Monday, Smythesdale’s The Well becomes the meeting point for about half a dozen people looking for a chat, craft, and cuppa.

Marg Frazer has been attending the get-togethers since COVID lockdowns.

Following her retirement about two years ago, she said it’s been a great way for to stay active in the community.

“It’s a good outlet for us to keep involved in something because many of us are retired women and widows and it’s a great way for us to be part of the community,” she said.

“This started, I think about 10 years ago or more, when council were doing promotions to get people out of their homes during so I think a couple of the locals started it up.”

As well as their social component, many of the group’s excess wools and crafted clothing are donated to Uniting Care Ballarat to provide relief for people experiencing homelessness and family violence situations.

Ms Frazer said she “fell in” to organising the meetings earlier this year when she applied for a grant to enable the group to continue operating at The Well for a 12-month period.

Previously, the group was able to gather at the site for free.

With the group especially active during COVID and attendance having dropped since then, Ms Frazer said they’re keen to see more people join them.

“When I first started coming, there were about 10 to 15 members at first,” she said.

“Now we get between five to seven people on a regular basis. We’ve put flyers out and advertised on the Scarsdale and Smythesdale community news page on Facebook.

“Even if people don’t really have an idea of what they want to make but just want to get out of the house, it’s a brilliant thing we do.”

Entry to each meetup is $2 with the first session free and contact Ms Frazer on 0434 647 076 for more information.