Mooroopna Library buzzes with lively chatter every Friday at 10.30am as a group of women gather to knit and crochet.
When I visited, the room was alive with a warm camaraderie. Fourteen women were sitting in a circle, hands busy with yarn and needles, each with a cuppa nearby.
The group, founded by the late Maureen Vernon and Hanna Saville, started out with two members and has grown to 23 regular members over the years. But this is far more than just a craft circle — it’s a lifeline for many.
The Friday sessions are an opportunity for “a lot of problem-solving”, as Hanna puts it.
When three members lost their homes during the 2022 floods, the group rallied together, providing shelter and support.
“They had somewhere safe to come, and the rest of us helped as much as we could,” Hanna said.
The women have faced their share of challenges — cancer, illness, widowhood — but within this group, they’ve found a support network.
“Our group is a safe place; it’s non-judgmental,” Hanna said.
They celebrate each other’s wins, and “we celebrate birthdays with cake”, group member Alison Lower said.
Beyond the companionship, they also exchange skills, teaching each other new crochet stitches.
“We do our own stuff and help each other out,” Alison said.
One particularly heart-warming story is that of Jean Parry, who suffered a severe stroke. With the group’s encouragement and patience, Jean has been able to slowly pick up crochet again. When I visited, she was crocheting red flowers.
These women also crochet for a cause. One member was busy creating colourful blankets for St Vincent de Paul, destined for single mothers’ newborns. Another was knitting quilts for cancer patients.
While everyone works on their project, the group members also band together for communal ones. When they lost one of their members, they crocheted a quilt to be raffled at the church she attended, raising $200.
Their contributions to the community don’t stop there — the women have also crocheted 250 poppies for the RSL.
Despite their growing numbers, with some suggesting the need for two separate groups, most members jokingly indicated that they would attend both.
“Over the years, I’ve said to Michelle, ‘Stop advertising the group, we’re running out of chairs!’” Hanna said.
But even with such growing popularity, the group remains welcoming.
“Anyone is welcome, as long as you bring your own chair,” Hanna said.