Rockhampton’s Lorraine Beezley wins at 2023 Ekka for patchwork quilt

Lorraine Beezley, 74, began entering local agricultural shows when she was eight years old, from horse riding to school work. Check out her biggest win to date at the Ekka.

Lorraine Beezley at her Rockhampton home. She recently won third at the Ekka for her patchwork quilt.

Lorraine Beezley has been entering local agricultural shows since she was eight years old, from horse riding, school work to handmade quilts over the past decade.

Recently, she entered a quilt, Grandma’s Fairy Garden, in the Rockhampton Agricultural Show and was awarded “Best of Show”.

The Rockhampton show committee entered the quilt in the Brisbane Ekka in Class 11, Quilts Across Queensland.

The award-winning quilt by Lorraine Beezley on display at the 2023 Ekka.

Much to Ms Beezley’s pleasant surprise, she came third.

“I couldn‘t believe it, just couldn’t believe it,” she said about the award.

The quilt is described as “having an array of colourful hexagons in vibrant shades and patterns”.

“It was my first exhibit at the EKKA and I couldn’t be more thrilled with its outcome,” Ms Beezley said.

Inspiration for the quilt came from Ms Beezley’s late mother-in-law Mary, who founded the Patch Happy Circle Group in Rockhampton.

“She taught me the skills and the love of hexagon patterns has been passed down,” Ms Beezley said.

Lorraine Beezley getting a head start on the quilt she plans on entering in the 2024 show.

The colour combination of the quilt is what set hers apart, Ms Beezley thinks.

“I’ve seen other quilts done like that without the white, just all a massive of colour… that’s what I think made the difference,” she said.

The quilt took her 18 months to make, alongside making two other quilts for family.

“I have completed many projects including quilts for most of my grandchildren and for all of my great grandchildren,” she said.

Over the last few decades, Ms Beezley estimates she has made more than a dozen quilts.

The hardest part is “making your mind up what colours to use”, but it’s very rewarding.

“Just putting it together and seeing that it’s finished,” she said.

She has entered many shows in her lifetime around the Central Queensland region.

Lorraine Beezley with her champion quilt at the 2021 Rockhampton Agricultural Show.

She began entering the local Taroom show where she grew up, following in the footsteps of her paternal grandmother, Mary Bradshaw, who used to win the cooking trophy each year.

“I began by knitting a jumper and entering it and school work, then I progressed to show riding,” Ms Beezley said.

“I have continued to be involved in the local show where ever I have lived for most of my adult life.

“I then entered cooking and in later years, I won my beloved Aunt Martha’s trophy for sultana cake.

“Embroidery and crocheting were also done with pride and the results of this were eagerly awaited each year.”

Lorraine Beezley with her next quilt project.

The recent Ekka win has put a real pep in her step and the 74-year-old already has plans for her quilt she will enter next year, which will feature a “double wedding ring” pattern style.