General News
5 February, 2024
Busy bees seeks new members
About 20 years ago, following the death of her husband, Cheryl Howlett found comfort in the seams of a local sewing community. She is now encouraging other Maryborough residents — who might be similarly affected or are simply looking for something...
About 20 years ago, following the death of her husband, Cheryl Howlett found comfort in the seams of a local sewing community.
She is now encouraging other Maryborough residents — who might be similarly affected or are simply looking for something to do — to join the tightly knit Busy Bees Craft Group.
Founded in 1993, under the umbrella of the Church of Christ, the group grew from half a dozen members in its initial years to about 60 women at its peak, all of whom would come together at the church’s hall to crochet, embroider and connect.
Still continuing to thread in support for its participants, the group meets every Thursday and Ms Howlett said it was a great opportunity for like-minded people to come together.
“We do all sorts of things including quilting, patchwork, needle work — all crafty things,” she said.
“Everyone is welcome even if they’ve never done any stitching and just want to learn because there will always be someone around to help them and you don’t have to be a part of the church to join us either.
“There are so many new people in town and they might have some time on their hands so they can give this a shot — it’s also a great place to form new friendships and it has benefitted so many people including me.
“One woman recently told a fellow member that this group saved her life when she was feeling down — that’s what we’re about.”
Apart from being socially enriching, the group also tries to host exhibitions every three years, raising funds for various organisations in the town.
“After COVID-19, we haven’t been able to set up anything unfortunately,” Ms Howlett said.
“We’re at a stage where our numbers have dwindled and putting together an exhibition is a lot of work — it’s not possible to do when there aren’t enough members.”
The group has, however, managed to hold small-scale fundraisers, with donations going to the Maryborough Ambulance Auxiliary as well as the Biggest Morning Tea — a cancer awareness event.
“We would love to keep doing more of that which is why it’d be amazing to get more people in,” Ms Howlett said.
Residents interested in joining the group can contact Cheryl Howlett on 0419 533 370.
The Busy Bees Craft Group meet every Thursday — from 10 am onwards.