Gifts of love

By Monique Ebrington
HEALESVILLE’S Patchwork Collections Friendship Group members have been overwhelmed by the support of interstate and overseas quilters.
The group of 12 volunteers created and collected quilts for the Royal Children’s Hospital each year.
Since the Black Saturday bushfires, the group has focused its efforts on collecting new quilts to give to victims of bushfires.
They registered their intention with the Victorian Quilters Inc and have since received quilts from across Australia and overseas, with 250 coming from New Zealand.
Patchwork Collections store owner Pat Biggs said the group decided to give donated quilts as a gift to people who had lost their home.
“We aim to give the quilts as a gift with love, from quilters around Australia and New Zealand,” she said.
“People have been so kind, we’ve had overwhelming support.”
Mrs Biggs said she couldn’t get over the generosity of the quilters and the quality of the quilts they had received.
“We’ve been astounded at the size, the quality of quilt fabrics, backing and the making,” she said.
She said that most quilts took several months to complete and some they had received were valued at more than $500.
Patchwork Collections Friendship Group members have already given away more than 200 quilts to individuals and families from Marysville and Dixon’s Creek, Yarra Glen Primary Schools and residents from Castella and Narbethong.
To add a name of someone who has lost their residential or business property due to the recent bushfires or to donate please phone the store on 5962 4256.
The group meets each Monday from 10.30am if anyone would like to volunteer their services.
Patchwork Collections is at 205 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.