President’s speech as given at Boadle Hall, Incinerator Complex on July 18th 2017, on behalf of Essendon Quilters Inc.

This is for the launch of Moonee Valley City Council Children’s Services quilts, as made by Essendon Quilters ‘Quilts for Others’ program during 2016.

Good morning everyone!

My name is Jan Stewart, I’m the President of Essendon Quilters Inc. In early 2016 our group was approached to consider making a quilt from the images children completed at the Moonee Valley festival last year. That quilt became the 11 quilts displayed here, encompassing 14 square metres of the creativity of generations.

The most important part of being here, is that I represent a passionate group of ladies who come together up to three times a month, to be enriched by guest speakers and the creative company offered by each member. Our group have been active since 1989.

With our absorbing past time, many of us make quilts for our relatives and friends hoping they will revere their gift for years. Before 2000, our “Quilts for Others” group developed. There is a part of our creative time, that involves being able to gift to others and even though we don’t personally know the recipients of our gifts, you will understand the satisfaction that comes from giving to some one needy and knowing that we have made their life better.

At our quilts for others sewing sessions we also revel in the skills and camaraderie shared, enjoying each other’s achievements and problem solving together.

In making quilts for others, we know that someone will get as much or even more pleasure from a quilt, than we did in making it. They’ll be wrapped in obvious cosiness and we hope that our quilts give them a sense of “some one has made this just for me!”

This year we are benefactors to the following organisations:

• The Caroline Chisholm society
• Baptcare (children)
• Sunshine hospital
• Wintringham at Ascot Vale
• Gregory Lodge
• St Bernadette Nursing Home
• A women’s refuge - which is part of the Safe Steps project
• The Masonic Lodge, and the
• Essendon Historical Society

Quilts were made for a sporting group who raffled the quilt for their Royal Children’s Hospital appeal and for a kindergarten.

We have also been making “ fidget quilts” that are used by dementia patients.

We’ve been very busy!

At this point I’d like the QFO ladies present to raise their hand, so that others may recognise the faces of our charity work. Feel free to applaud the efforts of these wonderful ladies!

Being part of the Moonee Valley Festival is important to us, as it allows local citizens to know of our existence, and know that they would be welcome to develop or share their skills in our group.

One of our past presidents, Heather Bonney, remembers a foster mother coming to our Moonee Valley Festival display and saying to the two children with her, “These are the ladies who made your beautiful quilts!” You can only imagine Heather’s delight seeing their resplendent faces!

This Moonee Valley City Council launch shows the end result of children’s creative endeavours, and the commitment of the Council to present their art work in a medium that children can celebrate, feel proud of and connected to their community. One can only wonder at their family’s delight, when they find their artwork on display in one of the Moonee Valley buildings.

From Saturday 9th December to Sunday 14th January an exhibition titled ‘Contemporary Quilting – Colour and Community’ will be displayed here at the Incinerator Gallery. This exhibition will include these quilts along with colourful works from the Essendon Quilters Paint Chip Challenge. We’re very excited about the opportunity to display the work of members in this venue.

In ending, thank you to our Essendon Quilters “Quilts for Others” members, thank you to the council for the opportunity of this collaboration, and a wholesome welcome to anyone who wishes to join us.

Thank you!

Launch of Moonee Valley Children’s Services Quilts, as made by Essendon Quilters, ‘Quilts for Others’ program.

Thank you ladies for representing EQI!