Sew dedicated
IN RESPONSE to the huge impact bushfires had on wildlife early this year, the volunteer organisation Boomerang Bags Phillip Island and San Remo (BBPISR) hosted a two-day sewing bee in January to make animal wraps and substitute pouches for carers who were nursing vulnerable and orphaned joeys.
More than 130 volunteers turned up and produced 1200 items to be distributed by the Phillip Island Hub for Animal Rescue Collective Craft Guild to volunteer groups and carers involved in the essential and heartwarming rescue efforts.
BBPISR is continuing to help with the provision of these items as required and, as part of our bushfire pledge, the Australian Geographic Society is helping them continue their efforts by donating muchneeded funds to keep the sewing machines whirring.
“From supporting local businesses, community organisations and charities, to getting involved in local environmental activities, we do it all, with a smile, a sewing machine, a cup of tea and a slice of cake!” says BBPISR member Gayle McMurray.
“We are a totally volunteerbased group and, to raise funds to keep the machines sewing and purchase haberdashery consumables, we sell bags and other sewn items. The main venues for this are the regular markets held on Phillip Island and the various festivals and environmental days held here. This also gives us the opportunity to engage with the community and start conversations about our work and the environment.”
All of this, however, is presently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. As with communities Australia-wide, the BBPISR volunteers are not able to meet for now at their local headquarters, at the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre. But they are continuing to sew at home.
“Our focus for the moment is on providing bags for our local health authority, Bass Coast Health, to distribute to all their clinical staff for transporting their scrubs for laundering while we continue to sew items for wildlife and animal rescue.”