Anglesea group sews with purpose

VOLUNTEERING their time to make a difference in the community, the Sewing with a Purpose group out of the Anglesea Community House are motivated to provide for those in need.

From grocery bags and aprons for Feed Me Surf Coast to book bags, toiletries bags and single coverings for beds for Geelong Mums, the group are dedicating their time towards charitable services for the community.

“I’ve always been a volunteer since I was around twenty years old and have always wanted to make a difference in my local community,” group convenor Deb Elliot said.

“After having a successful campaign in 2021 by putting 17,000 scrub hats in hospitals around the state and having sewers coming from all around Australia to help the cause, we thought why not do something in our own locality.

“We have between three to eight sewers coming to each session at the Anglesea Community House and essentially we sew what charities or community groups are in need of whether its bags, kangaroos pouches, toiletry bags or bed sheets.”

Deb Elliot and Anglesea Ward Councillor Mike Bodsworth pictured with the new products the Sewing with a Purpose group bought with their recent grant support. Photo: NATHAN RIVALLAND

The Sewing with a Purpose group have been humbled by generous donations of material, which in turn have assisted the team in making a variety of products.

The Anglesea action group were also fortunate enough to receive a $1,200 grant from the Surf Coast Shire as well as a $500 donation from the Barwon South Water and Resource Recovery Group.

The grant was able to buy Ms Elliot and her team three new sewing machines and an overlocker to make the sewing process much easier and streamlined.

“Our group is all about meeting new people and helping those people who need it,” Ms Elliot said

“We have sewers from Torquay, Anglesea and even Portarlington who are helping us out.

“We are opportunists and when there is a chance to help, we always want to say yes and get on the front foot.”

If you would like to get involved with the sewing with a purpose group at the Anglesea Community House meetings are the first, third and fifth Friday of the month from 1-3pm at the Anglesea Community House.