Greetings to all members of EQI! …
by EQI President: Kerry R.
Welcome to the June 2023 edition of President’s Chatter.
June means half of 2023 has nearly come and gone! wow! …that was fast! It also means that winter has officially arrived! It’s a great time to break out and snuggle under cosy quilts.
I would like to remind everyone that your E-News is an important link to what’s going on at EQI. Not just for my thoughts and chat, but also for everything else that’s happening. Please read it.
June also means that the Cancer Council’s “Biggest Morning Tea” has come and gone. EQI had a great Day/Evening celebrating this event on Wednesday, 17th May, and I have some winners to announce.
The winner of the “Lavender for All” quilt, valued by Vic Quilters at over $1600 is Dianne Linforth and the second prize, the Aboriginal designer mug, mug-rug and mug bag was won by Jan Goodge. The winner of our “Lime for Lymphoma” viewer’s choice block was block number 8. Congrats to Margo Latimore. Winner of the $20 voucher from GJ’s Fabrics in Fairfield.
As soon as all the money ‘bits” have been added up, Anita will let us know our final donation for 2023 to the Cancer Council.
As May has ended, so has the 2023 Bus Trip Survey. Once again, thanks to the EQI members who filled in the form (either paper or online). The completed survey figures for members’ info will be presented at the June Gathering. Looks like we are on our way to Ballarat on Saturday, September 9th, visiting Ballan and possibly Bacchus Marsh as well. EQI has some seed funding for this activity through the 2023 Moonee Valley Council grant. More details to follow. Please add this activity to your calendars. Past EQI bus trips have been lots of fun with great shopping experiences and someone else driving!
At the June Gathering, Moonee Ponds Sewing Centre will be attending to let us know about the latest in sewing machines and give us a few tips on maintenance. Hopefully, our own Cindy Cudmore, an EQI member (and past President) may be presenting. Do you have questions regarding your machine? Bring them along and M.P. Sewing may be able to help.
On Saturday, 24th June from 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm we will be celebrating our 25-year relationship with the Freemasons by holding a “High Tea”
We need to borrow your “best” china and cake stands, your pretty tablecloths and vases of flowers to help. Please bring these along to the Wednesday, the 21st of June Gathering. This is a catered event, free for members to attend. So far, we have about 14 members who have put their names on the attendance list, which is great. Members of the Freemasons have also been invited.
Robyn Roberts and I attended the Vic Quilters “Autumn Gathering”, hosted by Seabreeze Quilters in Altona on Saturday, 20th May. It was a great day and nice to see EQI members both past and present were also in attendance.
On Saturday, 26th August we are holding our Quilt-In and hosting the Vic Quilters “Winter Gathering”. Planning is well underway, but we need members’ help to make this activity a success. At the June Gathering, the Roster, for the Quilt-In will be available, for members to sign up to help. Members are requested to bring a plate for the morning and afternoon tea in August. EQI has quite a reputation when it comes to providing a fabulous “spread”.
Hiam needs your 5” squares, as many as possible, Robyn needs those patterns, gadgets, books, fabric packs, rulers, and other items that you may have in your stash and will never use. We need to make up the 10 bags for the $10 for 10 tickets Special Effort that are being prepared.
More “Table Toppers” are required. Pattern to follow. Each cloth will measure around 48 inches square to cover the top of each table.
Membership fees are due by June 30th. 2023. They remain at $45 for the 2023-2024 Financial Year. You can pay online, in cash, or for your convenience, the EFTPOS machine is available at Gatherings/Saturdays. Please remember to fill in the Membership Renewal Form (and survey)
EQI was on show at the Coburg Library (Cnr. Victoria and Louisa St. Coburg Vic. 3058) for the entire month of May. The 2022 “Paint Chip Challenge” quilts were on display at the library and feedback was very positive. The librarians noted that there was a lot of interest and positive comments in relation to the display.
Our AGM will be held in September 2023, and nomination forms for positions on the committee will be available from June at our Gathering and online. I encourage members to nominate for the committee to help EQI thrive and grow into the future.
I will catch up with everyone on Wednesday, June 21st. and Saturday, June 24th. Oh! And don’t forget “Zoomies” on the 4th Wednesday evening of the month. When members can get together, from 7 pm to 8.30 pm, online using the Zoom link in E-News and have a sew, a chat, and a bit of show and tell.
Kerry Roe
President.
Essendon Quilters Inc.
