Southeast community knitting day to help injured Aussie wildlife
A tight-knit community has pulled together to help injured Aussie wildlife, threading the needle at Frankston City Council’s crochet day. And following success of the first day, the council is calling for others to join in and help at the next session.
South East
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A tight-knit community has pulled together in a bid to help injured wildlife hurt by fires which scorched the state’s country.
More than 100 kind-hearted volunteers threaded the needle at Frankston City Council’s crochet and knit-a-thon on Wednesday, creating more than 50 soft woollen nests for injured animals.
The needle-savvy helpers — who came from St Kilda to the Mornington Peninsula — gathered at Frankston Library to create the colourful pouches.
They will be used for baby birds, possums and other small creatures while they recover from burns and smoke inhalation.
All of the bright threads were donated by the Country Women’s Association Victoria Peninsuila Belles Branch.
Clyde North mother-of-three Emma Waters, who joined in on the fun with twins Lucas and Isaac, 6, daughter Isla, 4, and their grandmother, said they were proud to help the environment.
“I’ve seen the news about the bushfires and thought this was something practical we could
do to help,” Ms Waters said.
“I haven’t knitted in a while and it was something nice Nanna and I could do together … she taught me to knit when I was about nine.”
Mt Martha mother Sandra Wylie brought along her animal loving daughter Imi, 7, Elisia, 12, and friend Billie, 12.
“I grew up in Gippsland and even last year we holidayed in Yarrawonga … what has
happened down there is very sad,” Ms Wylie said.
“I know the girls are both very passionate about animals and knew they would like to help.”
All of the pouches have been donated to members of the Australian Rescue Craft Guild sewing group who will organise distribution to welfare organisations.
And following the first event’s success, the council has invited more knit-happy creatives to a second round on January 22 between 1-4pm.
“We’re so lucky to live in a community like this where people will come together with little
notice to help those in need,” Mayor Cr Sandra Mayer said.
“It is a great opportunity for people to chat and support each other while helping animals whose habitats have been impacted.”
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Ms Mayer said council’s “priority” was in affected areas and that officers who served with defence force and volunteer services including the CFA had been deployed to assist on the frontline.
She said the group’s community safety team worked closely with the state control centre and offered staff and vehicles to first responders.
For more information on the next crochet event, visit the Frankston City Council Facebook page.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au