Greetings to all members of EQI! …

by EQI President: Kerry R.

Welcome to the May 2023 edition of President’s Chatter.

May means colder weather, Mother’s Day celebrations and the Cancer Council’s “Biggest Morning Tea” More on that later.

Bus Trip

I want to thank those members who took the time to complete the Bus Trip Survey. If you haven’t completed the survey, please do. The results are to be announced at the end of May No leaks! But these data graphs tell the story so far.

Then the planning and organizing begins. Big bus or little bus? Lunch or no lunch? It all depends on how many members (and friends) sign up.

Our two “Friendship Group” activities: ‘Take a Chance” and the “Magical Mystery Quilt Tour” are off and running. It’s not too late to join in! I have just started my “Take a Chance” blocks and have cut out the February blocks… remember to bring yours along to show us.

The Biggest Morning Tea:

May is when we all get together, bring a plate of scrumptious food, our gold coins, our “Lime for Lymphoma” completed blocks, dress up our tables with a nice cloth and purchase some raffle tickets for a good cause. The committee will be setting up the hall the day before our May Gathering and is asking for some help from members. Please let one of the committee members know if you can spare some time to help.

Bev Bannard and her daughter, Clare, will be talking about their quilt-collecting (and making) journey as our Guest Speakers

High Tea:

On Saturday, 26th 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. There will be scones, cake, and other goodies. We have invited members of the Freemasons along to celebrate with us.

More importantly, we need you, the members to attend and celebrate this significant milestone in EQI’s History. All Members are welcome. The MVCC Grant is contributing towards the refreshments, so for catering purposes please let the committee know if you will be attending by letting us know, in person, or by emailing: info@essendonquilters.org.au

The August Quilt-In/Vic Quilters Winter Gathering:

On Saturday, 26^th 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. Vic Quilters will look after the bookings. “Try Booking” will be the site utilized to book to come to the event. Vic Quilters take the “Door” takings, but they pay for the Hall booking and our Guest Speaker, Rae Telfer.

We can raise funds, on the day through any other means! So, Hiam needs your 5” squares, as many as possible, Robyn needs those patterns, gadgets, books, fabric packs, rulers, and other items you may have in your stash and will never use. We are preparing the 10 bags for the $10 sheet of tickets as a Special Effort to raise funds for EQI.

Also, we need members to make new, colourful Table Toppers to replace those 22-year-old cloths that need to be retired. A pattern is available, each cloth will measure around 48 inches square to cover the top of each table.

Also, at the May Day Gathering, Evening ‘Sit and Stitch’, and Saturday Stitching Day, we will ask as many members as possible to help complete the Finger Pincushions which will be our gift (as is EQI’s tradition) to those attending. Other Quilt-In/Winter Gathering news to come!

Other news:

Membership fees are due by June 30^th. 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 annual Membership Renewal Form and complete the membership survey.

EQI is 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 are on display at the library and looking very good, may I say. I encourage everyone to go and check them out.

Our next major raffle quilt, “Shoo Fly” blocks are increasing in numbers, please continue to make them. The more (and I mean, more!) the merrier! Thank you to those members who have contributed so far.

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 all members to nominate for the committee to help EQI thrive and grow into the future.

I will catch up with everyone on Wednesday, May 17^th. and Saturday, May 27^th.

Kerry Roe

President.

Essendon Quilters Inc.

Recover, Recharge, Regroup and Rebuild