Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Local knitters make a differrence

Heart-warming new photographs from Germany have arrived showing displaced Syrian refugee children now based in Europe wearing items lovingly made by local knitters, crocheters and craftspeople.
A large number of Mid North Coast residents responded to the call to create warm, cozy items, including the Kendall Craft Group, who supported the Knitting the Future community arts project last year.
Community members moved to help asylum seekers can be involved in the next MNC Refugee Support Group fundraising event on Saturday April 16, 2016.
There will be a market at the Wauchope Arts Hall from 3pm selling preloved items and afternoon tea.
Live music will feature Styx 'n Stonz.
Anyone can donate items in good condition- please call Krissa to arrange 0429 854 733.
A shared meal will follow the market and everyone is welcome to bring a plate of food to share.
After the meal there will be an evening screening of the film Stormy Waters, which reviews the history of migration to Australia and the treatment of asylum seekers today, and asks “is there a better way?".

For more information on the fundraiser contact Krissa Wilkinson on 0429 854 733.
To be part of stage 2 of the MNCoast Refugee Support Group's knitting project please contact Mavis Barnes on 6559 4339.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Knitting the future

750 refugees will be settled in Newcastle this month.
When the cooler weather arrives, many will need warm clothes.
To assist our Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group community knitting program will get back into gear.
This time we are putting a special call-out for knitted items for children up to school age.
We'd also like to implement a 'Sharing Shawls' program whereby local women donate one of their warm shawls or scarves. Surely we all have a spare one in the wardrobe!?
Mavis Barnes will coordinate the knitting this year - her number is 6559-4339.

A reminder about last year's 'Knitting the future' campaign
Pictured below are images from last year's 'Knitting the future' campaign, which included a session at the library where artists painted and drew women knitting, as a way of celebrating the centenary of Grace Cossington Smith's famous painting of her sister knitting for the WW1 troops in 1915.
 


 And below is a pic of some of our knitting arriving in Berlin!