Craft group celebrates Marion's 90th birthday

FORMER Moormbool resident Marion Tattersall recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a party attended by family members and her friends from the Heathcote Craft Group.

Tattersall’s crafty buddies followed up with a special presentation at the group’s next meeting, giving her a quilt.

They also plan to take her out to lunch – when she can find time in her busy schedule.

“I have been attending the craft group for 27 years,” Tattersall said.

“It is a very friendly group, we are like a family and I love them all.

“My daughter is married to (fellow group member) Cheryl’s nephew.”

Tattersall began attending the group, travelling to Heathcote from Moormbool, after her husband Roy died.

She moved to Moormbool after her marriage in 1957, then to Bendigo in 2010.

She still attends the group as often as she can, driving herself to the weekly sessions.

Marion Tattersall enjoyed a lavish 90th birthday party recently. Photo: Marion Tattersall/supplied.

The gifted quilt was made by Gail Meager, who died recently.

“I will treasure it,” Tattersall said said.

Tattersall has fond memories of living at Moormbool and being involved in activities at nearby Costerfield.

“We did a lot at the Costerfield school,” she said.

“I remember fantastic suppers at the Costerfield Hall, dances, attending the Uniting Church and raising funds for the fire brigade.”

The Heathcote Craft Group has been meeting every week since 1988.

They work on individual items as well as joint activities.

“Some of the things we’ve made are beanies for prem babies, turbans for chemo patients, clothes for African babies, poppies and trauma dolls,” Tattersall said. “We also have bus trips.”

The Heathcote Craft Group has been meeting since 1988 and recently completed a quilt featuring 729 hexagons. Photo: Sandra James.

Tattersall is known for knitting and crocheting beautiful baby clothes and is currently working on a rug after being given an unfinished project and some wool. She has six children, 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

The craft group recently unveiled another joint project, a quilt featuring 729 hexagons.

“We were given some pieces from another group on the Mornington Peninsula,” Cheryl Connally said.

“They were downsizing, so we have added our own patches to complete it.

“It took us about three months.

“Anne Anderson donated the backing fabric, and Liz Allen did a fantastic job quilting it.”

The group plans to raffle the quilt.