Placing joy in people’s lives

Dawn Morrow, 87, with her quilted place mat. (Joe Mastroianni). 311552_02

Recipients of Wyndham’s Delivered Meals service will receive a handmade placemat donated by the Wyndham Patchwork Quilt Group.

Vice president Tania Bodger said the group hoped the residents receiving the placemats felt “some kind of joy or happiness”.

“We just want them to know that somebody’s thinking of them at Christmas,” she said.

“There are lots of elderly people who don’t receive anything for Christmas.

“We’re not expecting anything in reply, we do these things so people know they are thought of.”

Ms Bodger said the group spent about “six to eight weeks” making the 260 placemats.

“We used cotton fabric and all the placemats were quilted to that they can be washed,” she said.

“We designed them so that they can use the year round and some members also made knife, spoon and fork holders.”

Mayor Susan McIntyre said that in the festive spirit, giving handmade placemats to council’s delivered meals clients is a “lovely way to brighten their day”.

“Wyndham city’s delivered meals unit will distribute the handmade place mats to customers in the two weeks prior to Christmas.”

“Across the festive season, the delivered meals service will continue to provide support for our residents with meals delivered for all public holidays.”

The patchwork group is made up of about 60 members and Ms Bodger said “it really is a lovely group”.

“We’re always welcoming new people … our youngest member is twelve and I think our eldest member is 92,” she said.

Membership costs $30 per year and the group will re-meet in the new year on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at the Manor Lakes Community Centre.

Fatima Halloum