Emotional gift of gratitude at Bacchus Marsh CWA meeting

THERE was barely a dry eye in the room at a recent Bacchus Marsh CWA Day Branch meeting, after a member was presented with a gift of gratitude for supporting a veteran family.

Beryl Leek made two Quilts of Valour for Bev Kummerlowe earlier this year – one honouring Bev’s service, and one honouring her late husband Hilmar’s – with about eight hours of work going into each of the quilts.

At the CWA meeting last Thursday, Ms Kummerlowe expressed her gratitude with a canvas print of a Moorabool News article about the quilts, Quilts honour veterans, as a permanent reminder of the family’s thanks.

Ms Kummerlowe said the works had brightened the lives of her and her daughter Kylie during a difficult time.

“I want to thank you so much for what you did for Kylie in particular,” she said.

“That kid lost her best friend…she was in a dark place, but after you gave us those quilts, she turned right around. You changed her life.

“The thought you put into making these for us was beautiful. So I want to thank you with this.

“You deserve a lot more recognition, not just for the quilts, but for all the things you make for this CWA branch.”

Ms Leek, who had the teariest eyes in the room, said she hadn’t expected to receive something in return for the quilts.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting to get something back. I’ll have to clear a spot to hang it up, maybe near the front door,” she said.

“It really hit my heart to hear Bev’s words. I’m really, really pleased that Kylie’s back.”

Mr Kummerlowe, who went by the nickname Irish, passed away last July.

He served from 1969 to 1989, including 13 months in Vietnam.