Greetings to all members of EQI! …
Welcome to the July 2023 edition of President’s Chatter.
July means: Half of 2023 has actually come and gone!
Colder weather, rose pruning, warm quilts, and the season for soup and…for members of EQI, thinking about joining the committee.
Our AGM is fast approaching. It will be held on Wednesday, September 20th. This is also the day of our monthly Gathering. We have a very small committee that has and is doing, an amazing job. Robyn, Glenda, Hiam and Anita are a great team to work with. But, yep, always a “but” EQI needs a bigger committee, to help carry the load and look to the future. Nomination forms are available at the front desk (and linked in eNews). Meetings are via Zoom once a month, (Yes! That means we talk a lot!) It is the place where the planning and decision-making for the organization occurs. It is a place where members, who join, can play a role in the future of EQI. The EQI committee has both a management and a governance role.
Members also need to look at the Valued Volunteer list and start filling in the gaps. As a V.V. you do not have to be on committee. You do consult with the committee and, at times depending on the position complete certain jobs when requested or required. (Just a reminder that your 2023-2024 Membership of $45 is now due and can be paid online or at the July Gathering via cash/eftpos with our new Tyro machine)
Speaking of membership, the committee has been very busy, both in the Moonee Valley and Merri-beck council areas distributing flyers advertising EQI to libraries, neighbourhood houses, and public noticeboards in shopping centres and distributing “show bags” with our information to interested businesses in order to promote us and encourage new members. Soon there will be a visit to the Brunswick Tafe and the School of Textiles to promote our organization to younger stitchers, a meeting with the Community Liaison at Moonee Valley Council, and hopefully a spot-on local neighbourhood radio!
Our future depends on increasing our membership and members are encouraged to do their bit and spread the word. Bring along friends and guests to gatherings, maybe you have a niece/granddaughter interested in stitching? Or a group or business that you can give a flyer to?
Personally, I am looking forward to building up our membership to 100 in 2023-2024 and celebrating Essendon Quilters Inc.’s. 40th Birthday in 2029. It’s always positive to have goals.
Our events held during May included “The Biggest Morning Tea” and I am pleased to announce that members raised $111.00 which has been sent, as a donation from EQI to the Cancer Council. Well done.
June was also a notable month for EQI. Members donated over 20 quilts from the Community Quilt Program to Abacare’s Foster Care Program. It was great to have Jacquie come along to our June Gathering and share a story or two with us, including how these quilts give the children in their care not just a warm hug. But something they can keep as their own.
GV 03 Baptcare
Moonee Ponds Sewing Centre also provided members with a slice of what they have to offer. That Brother straight stitch sewing machine was impressive Zosa will be returning to impress us in the near future.
GV 04 Moonee Ponds Sewing
On Saturday, June 24th, our Saturday Stitching Day, a High Tea was held to celebrate the 25-year relationship between EQI and the Freemasons. It was a great success and an enjoyable afternoon for everyone attending. A future, joint quilt project idea is bubbling away for 2024! Also, we have a request/commission from the Freemasons for 10 or so of our new, Table Toppers! They were very impressed with them.
The “member” tested pattern (thanks to Irene Goulden) for the new “Table Toppers” will be made available at the July Gathering. EQI needs, at least, 7 more of these new “Toppers” made for our use. I will make up some 61/2” squares packs for distribution with the patterns. Members can also make use of/choose and cut their squares, from our fabric boxes, in the storage to make their own and also for sashing and backing.
HT 08
We have a great Guest Speaker coming along to our July Gathering. Andrea Taylor aka (on Facebook): bitternbythebug will be chatting to us about her textile journey, which has lots about Japan included in it. Got any good ideas for our Guest Speakers in the future???…. please let the committee know!
The Bus Trip is happening!!! Previously, this has been a popular EQI activity, and we hope it remains so in 2023! On Saturday, September 9th, we are off to Bacchus Marsh (Crafty Sisters), Ballan (Millrose Cottage and Chrissies Timeless Treasures) and Ballarat, (Gayles Patchwork Emporium and Eureka Patchwork) via Moreland Bus Services 53-seater, modern, comfortable seatbelts included coach. The cost is $35 per person and it is open to members and guests. We need at least 20 people to ensure this activity goes ahead. Please let us know if you are interested by filling in the “expression of interest” page at the Front Desk and/or paying your $35 via cash or eftpos at the July Gathering.
October is the month that EQI heads off to Castlemaine for our annual Retreat. It is held at The Castle Motel, 1 Duke St. Castlemaine, where we have exclusive use of the large conference room and facilities. You can bring your sewing machines and hand stitching. It will be held from Thursday, October 19th to Monday 23rd. You can come for the 4 nights/5 days or your choice of how many nights/days you wish to retreat!
Personally, getting away for 4 nights/5 days to stitch, shop, eat and have the odd glass of wine is my mini holiday heaven! The only thing members have to do is book their room at The Castle Motel (phone: 54722433) I suggest you book your room ASAP as it is a popular place to stay when visiting Castlemaine. Members and Guests are invited. As I am the V.V. coordinator of the Retreat, please let me know if interested, if you have booked or have any questions. More details to come!
On Saturday, 26th August we are holding our Quilt-In and hosting the Vic Quilters Winter Gathering. “Celebrating Creativity” In the past, this event has been a showcase for Essendon Quilters. It is a fabulous, busy day of activities such as Show and Tell, Guest Speaker, Challenge, mini raffles, Lucky Number Prizes, shopping at the invited businesses, great food and all sorts of fun!
At the July Gathering, the Roster, for the Quilt-In will be available, for members to sign up to help. We need help with the Kitchen, Raffle Table and Show and Tell. Members are requested to bring a plate for the morning and afternoon tea to the event. EQI has quite a reputation when it comes to providing a fabulous “spread”.
Hiam needs your 5” squares to fill that fabulous, large glass container that has been sitting at the Front Table. Hiam is also in charge of our special effort: “10 bags for the $10 for 10 tickets” and needs those patterns, gadgets, books, fabric packs, rulers and other items that you may have in your stash and will never use. Especially any patterns and fabric packs! I am cutting up my Liberty Tana Lawn to make some packs to donate. Anyone who follows me on Instagram knows how much I love those!
There will also be Finger Pincushions to fill and sew up. These are our gifts to those who come along to this event.
I will catch up with everyone on Wednesday, July 19th and Saturday, July 22nd.
Kerry Roe
President.
Essendon Quilters Inc.
