The challenge is on for Rockhampton Embroiders Guild but it’s all in good cause.
Each year, the group holds a challenge with members secretly working on a project to be judged by externally and by popular vote.
The group’s members are currently working on Australian Flora designs which they have until very early April to finalise.
The event is one of the group’s major fund raisers with all money from the event going to a chosen charity each year.
This time around it’s the Women’s Shelter.
The group has a long tradition of helping in creating beginning early in 1987 when Gwen and Pam Ward of The Attic Gallery, called a meeting for expressions of interest to form a Guild in Rockhampton. There was a Guild operating in Gladstone and they expressed willingness to assist the new group. Later that year a night group was also proposed. The ladies met informally until 30 March, 1988 when a meeting was held to form a group under the umbrella of Gladstone.
Mrs Mavis Johnson was President, Mrs Kathy Johnson treasurer and Mrs Rosslyn McKendry secretary.
A day group was to meet at Walter Reid Cultural Centre while a night group for some time met at the Attic Gallery, later moving to Reid’s. The night group lapsed and some time later, a Saturday afternoon group commenced.
Gladstone Branch was of great assistance, allowing ladies to visit for lessons and sometimes coming to Rockhampton to teach us techniques. This greatly expanded our repertoire with Hardanger being very popular but Shadow Work and pulled thread also added.
Mrs Joyce Crane of the Gladstone Branch joined us after moving here and her fine needlework and teaching skills greatly enhanced the fledgling group. She is still an active member at almost 94.
As numbers increased, they formed their own branch and later assisted the Capricorn Coast Branch to form.
They still meet in Room 1.1 Walter Reid Cultural Centre on Wednesday mornings from 9am to noon and Saturday afternoons from 1pm-4pm offering free workshops to members several times a year. As these workshops focus on a particular technique, ladies are then encouraged to use our extensive library to commence further projects with the skills learnt.
This year as well as the challenge, they plan to hold Aztec Stitch, Pulled Thread, Shadow Applique and our ever-popular mystery workshop. The branch now has three accredited tutors in their membership.
In August, they hold a retreat at ‘The Haven’ Emu Park, where lots of sewing, chatting and laughter take place. About 20 ladies attend.
Like the challenge, the annual Christmas Party also supports their chosen charity with a multi-draw raffle.
Current office bearers are Mrs Rosslyn McKendry, Mrs Annette Cordell, Mrs Christine Tobin.
The group aims to provide the members with an entertaining morning including lots of eating, friendship and support as well as stitching.
