Bernadette Madden MSS has been busy in Melbourne with fellow members of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Bayside Branch, taking part in an ever-evolving ‘bag-creating’ project that is supporting people in need across the community.
Bernadette Madden MSS at the ironing table.
The project began when Bayside Community Emergency Relief (BCER) requested bags for packing emergency relief supplies. Soon, Bayside Community Information and Support Service (BayCISS) was also seeking bags to distribute support packages.
A CWA Bayside Branch member receiving treatment at Peter Mac made the group aware of the need for bags to hold toiletries and pamper packs for patients. Other members volunteering with Impact for Women, which supports women fleeing domestic violence, were also asked whether the group could provide bags for emergency supplies for women and their children.
Several CWA members began making the bags at home, but it wasn’t long before they realised it would be much more enjoyable to work together—with plenty of conversation and some lovely food along the way.
CWA Bayside Branch member and long-time friend of the MSS Carmel Merrey says, ‘We started with a couple of “Bag-Sewing Days” at my home, but it soon outgrew my family room. We then moved it to the CWA meeting hall. We also extended the invitation to the wider community via word of mouth and the Bayside Senior’s Festival.’
Carmel Merrey (second from left) with some of the sewing ladies.
The various organisations require different-sized bags, which works well when it comes to making the most of the available fabric.
‘As the bags are for adults, children, males and females, we can purpose them for the best fit,’ Carmel says. ‘Impact have now asked for scrunchies to go in their packs—a great use for our smaller offcuts.’
Initially, fabric was sourced from op shops and people decluttering, along with a generous donation from Bendigo Community Bank. As word of the project has spread throughout the wider community, the donations have kept coming, including cotton for the sewing machines and cord for the drawstrings.
The bags themselves are simple, flat bags with a drawstring at the top, but their creation involves a well-organised production line. Before each working bee, the bags are cut and ready to go. They begin at the overlocking station, before being ironed and trimmed, having their casing sewn and cord threaded through, and finally being stacked ready for counting and delivery. Having bags ready at each station at the start of the day helps keep everything—and everyone—moving.
There is even a little friendly competition. The group has an in-house perpetual trophy for the person who makes the closest guess as to how many bags will be completed that day.
For Carmel, however, the real reward is knowing where the bags are going.
‘While we all wish that there wasn’t a need for these bags, we enjoy the camaraderie on the day, and we hope that the recipients feel the love and compassion with which they are made,’ she says.
‘And then the icing on the cake is the delivery; the organisations are all so appreciative and delighted to receive the finished products.’