Sewing for the Leukaemia Foundation

Airing of the quilts 15th anniversary

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

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The quilts are collected from all over the Far North and are being displayed over three full days. Image: supplied

Every year many local volunteers are buzzing around to collect quilts from all over the Far North to prepare something very special.

Over 160 quilts and crafts will be on display during the annual Airing of the Quilts exhibition held at the Indoor Sports Centre in Mossman from June 25-27.

The art exhibition in fabric is organised by the Mossman District Branch of the Leukaemia Foundation and the colourful patchworks will serve to collect funds for Douglas Shire families living with blood cancer.

Mossman District Branch President, Deborah Kachel, said this is the 15th year the branch is organising the exhibition. “We started in 2007 and in 2020 we couldn’t hold the event because of Covid,” she told Newsport.

“The idea for the exhibition initially came up as a replacement for the annual fashion show. We wanted to do something different and we ended up with 160 quilts and people from all over the place came to visit. It was very successful.

“Starting off as a two day event it has now become even more than a quilt show with three days full of workshops, stalls, craft displays and even a competition.

“This year people can make their own nic nak bag and win a prize. Our volunteers also cater food during the day, everything freshly made.

“We have busloads of people coming from up the Tablelands and Tully. Visitors receive a catalogue with information about all the quilts that are on display. Most people stay around for the whole day.”

Quilt a task

Collecting all the quilts for the exhibition is quite a task with volunteers driving around the Far North to pick up the patchworks.

“We are currently still collecting all the quilts. Some people send the quilts to us by mail but most of the patchworks are being picked up by car by our volunteers.

“It is a lot of work to set up the exhibition and hang up all the quilts. We have around twenty volunteers but friends come out and help as we need all the help we can get.

“A number of people are also staying at the sports centre every night as security because some of the quilts are worth quite a substantial amount of money.”

The Foundation

Ms Kachel said that in recent years, between $10,000 and $15,000 has been raised for the Leukaemia Foundation.

“The money raised is used to support people who have contracted blood cancers in the local community.

“They often can't be treated here and have to travel not just to Cairns or Townsville but also to Brisbane for treatment so we provide accommodation and support.

“The Foundation - which was established in 1979 in Queensland and is now Australia wide - also invests millions of dollars into research to find better cures for blood cancer.

“We also provide counselling services, just recently we have appointed a support coordinator in Cairns. Her role is to support patients who are having their treatment in Cairns.

“The money raised for the Foundation is much needed as there are many challenges faced by people with blood cancer in regional areas like the Far North.”

The Airing of the Quilts exhibition takes place on Saturday 25 June 9am-4pm, Sunday 26 June 9am-4pm, Monday 27 June 9am-3pm at the indoor sports centre, Front St Mossman. Tickets are door sales only and are $10 per adult and $8 for pensioners and high school age.


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