Faith Macale
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people were stuck at home due to lockdowns, so picking up a hobby or two was how people kept busy.
In Melton, a craft group was formed during this time — the CommuKnitty Crafters Group.
It started with a callout for volunteers to knit teddy bears for the Red Cross and Sandra McMenemie, CommuKnitty Crafters Group lead volunteer, took up the challenge.
“Yarns, et cetera were delivered to our doors by the council,” she said.
“After this was finalised, I contacted (Melton council positive ageing officer) Darren Cunningham and asked if there was anything else we could do?
“He came back asking if we were interested in knitting knee blankets for Peter MacCallum Hospital, and I said yes straight away.”
The group handmade blankets at home, and Mr Cunningham delivered them to the hospital.
When the lockdowns eased, Mr Cunningham organised a room at the Bridge Road Community Centre for the crafters to meet once a week.
Since then, they have continued to craft handmade goods like blankets and beanies for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and were finalists for the 2024 Victorian Public Health Awards.
“We heard that Peter Mac had nominated our group for the Healthcare Volunteer Group of the Year award,” Ms McMenemie said.
“We were very humbled by this as we all love what we do, and also very excited.”
CommuKnitty Crafters Group also makes sure that the needs of patients who require specific items or modifications are met.
“We asked if the hospital required anything,” Ms McMenemie said.
“We thought of hats and scarves, and Peter Mac gave us a hat and scarf that they would like specific style and sizes.
“We managed to find patterns and started doing them also.”
The group continues to make handcrafted items all year round, and in December, they will deliver another load of knitted and crocheted items.
“We have been told that the patients really enjoy receiving our blankets,” Ms McMenemie said.
“Peter Mac has requested more knee blankets so that is what we will be delivering in the next couple of weeks.
“This year, we were also asked to make two blankets for one of the new SES centres which we did with pleasure.”
CommuKnitty Crafters Group members said they would like to thank the community for the donations in the past, especially those who continuously donated in the last four years.
