Rughooking comes to Surf Lifesaving Club

Who’d have thought they would be discussing rug hooking at a Lifesaving Club! 

In Bermagui a coastal town 380k (about a 5-hour drive) south of Sydney, the Bermagui & District U3A Rug Hooking group has undertaken a challenging project to create a 7m (23ft) hooked piece to be hung on the wall of the clubhouse of the Bermagui Surf Lifesaving Club to help absorb noise.

Dawn Hollins a member of this group has sent in these images and an explanation of the first stages of the project.

Rona Walker, our artist, with part of her design on paper.

Rona_Walker_artist_her_design_7m_wall_hangingThe 7metre wall hanging will be done in 1 metre panels and each hung close together but separately.  The weight will be considerable, however now the construction of the elevated wall section has been assessed the design is about to be transferred to the hessian panels.

Rona explains the process while rug hookers look on.

Rona_Walker_artist_explains_transfer_process_Here is the Surf Club building sketched in.

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and Rachel Colombo’s “Tree” gives an idea of the “look” of the finished hooked panels.

Rachel Colombos hooked tree

Below are some of the Bermagui & District U3A rug hookers who will be working on the wall hanging for the Surf Club  [Rachel Colombo (seated second from the left) Rona Walker (seated centre) and Rug hooking teacher, Lyn Potter (back row on right)

 Some of Bermagui&Dist_U3A_Rug_hookers working on project for the Surf Club

Dawn says:

We continue to attract new members and may even get a couple of men involved.

It’s clear that a community project gets people motivated.  If we had just advertised it as a craft group we’d be lucky to get half a dozen.  This way we get people hooked on the craft on a personal level but committed to creating something bigger than all of us to benefit the community.

We meet every Friday afternoon at the Bermagui Country Club but once we have built a large storage cupboard at the Surf Club we will need to meet there.

ArtFest Exhibition

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Milton-Ulladulla Artfest 19th Sept – 5th Oct

Annette White_NSW_Australia

The following report was forwarded by Annette White of New South Wales.

As part of the annual Milton-Ulladulla Artfest, the Narrawilly Rugmakers entered a substantial variety of rugs made by members of the group for Exhibition in Miriam Miller’s rug room and picturesque surrounds.   The Proggy banners made by Coral Christina, were a great help in directing people there.

NarrawillyThe beautiful spring weather couldn’t have been more favorable.  Even the setting up of the venue was fun to do; rugmakers equipped with hammers, nails and string, decorated the timber walls of Miriam’s cottage in vibrant colours, patterns and pictures hooked and progged into beautiful rugs.

Hand_hooked_rugs_Narrawilly_Milton_NSW_AustraliaRugs were hanging from trees, flowing in the breeze on the washing line, and draped over the kitchen garden fence.

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As one stepped into the famous rug room, they would be greeted by ever more rugs, including two rugs made and donated by Canada’s Karen Kaiser.   A couple of items made by blind people in The Gambia were also displayed.

People had a chance to see some rug making in progress, and also give the craft a try on a stretcher frame set up outside.  It was a pleasure to see how keen and interested our visitors were, especially some young boys who showed considerable talent.

Your couldn’t miss the sign to the tea & coffee stall.  Delicious homemade cakes were served and then enjoyed on the veranda; decorated with more beautiful creations of the rug making trade, together with a stunning view over the surrounding landscape.   It was nice to see happy people lingering and relaxing over their refreshments.  A nice amount of money made from selling these and the raffle tickets recovered the cost for entry of the Expo into Artfest and a donation to the Blind Ruggers in The Gambia.

The flow of visiting people was steady, and it seemed every one was impressed with what can be produced with up-cycled discarded clothing, old blankets, yarns, never ending resources.  The atmosphere was great, and hopefully people went home inspired to be creative.

Before the “big rush” on Sunday morning, Miriam drove a small group of us to Granite Falls to admire the lush abundance of the Boronia flowers and the spectacular view of the water falls.  A much appreciated treat.

Boronia_Granite_Falls_NSW_Australia

Granite Falls_NSW_Australia

We are very grateful to Miriam for initiating such wonderful events and opening up her beautiful home and surrounds for all to enjoy.

Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times
Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times