Trees in Walcha are set to receive a colourful winter makeover as locals of all ages come together for the second year of the town’s growing yarn bombing project.
What began as a simple school holiday activity at the library has blossomed into a community-wide initiative, bringing together school students, knitters, crocheters, volunteers and local organisations to create a vibrant display that will brighten the town throughout winter.
Coordinator Anne Young said last year’s event was a whirlwind introduction to yarn bombing.
“The first year was just an activity, an after-school activity or holiday activity for school kids in the library,” she said.
“We had a mad, hysterical day of running around putting up stuff.”
This year, however, the project has evolved into something much bigger.
“This year is more of a community event,” Ms Young said.
The Walcha Men’s Shed has contributed wooden animal cut-outs for the display, while one group member has written a poem to accompany the installation. Students from Woolbrook Public School will travel to Walcha to decorate a tree with their own creations, while the library’s after-school club has once again been busy crafting pieces to add to the display.
“It’s just a lot of fun,” Ms Young said.
Behind the colourful creations is a dedicated group of local volunteers who have spent months knitting, crocheting and preparing decorations.
“We’ve become a really lovely group of women,” she said.
“We’ve got these helpers who are saying they’ll turn up to help us hang things and they’ll turn up to tie stuff up and things like that.”
The project has also become a catalyst for teaching traditional skills to a new generation.
Last year, around a dozen children attended a Learn to Knit workshop, with volunteers returning throughout the week to continue teaching eager young crafters.
“Some of those kids are still working on things,” Ms Young said.
People are now teaching their grandchildren to knit and crochet, with interest continuing to spread throughout the community.
“It’s been growing,” she said.
The project has also created valuable social connections for participants, particularly older residents.
“It’s a very social group,” Ms Young said.
“We have an afternoon tea, and everyone comes in, and everyone’s really enjoying what’s going on here.”
One participant in her 80s, who has limited vision due to macular degeneration, has become one of the group’s most enthusiastic contributors.
“She’s a ferocious knitter, only knits in wool and just keeps knitting and knitting and knitting,” Ms Young said.
While creating the decorations is one challenge, keeping them attached to trees through winter weather is another.
After learning valuable lessons from last year’s display, the group has developed new ways to secure the installations.
“We’ve actually created some special cords and things to make sure they stay up,” Ms Young said.
The yarn bombing display is expected to remain in place until early September, providing a colourful backdrop throughout the winter months and leading into the town’s winter celebrations.
The project has also received support from Walcha Council through a community grant to help purchase materials.
As the initiative continues to grow, Ms Young and her fellow volunteers have formally established themselves as the Walcha Yarn Bombing Community Group, with plans to keep expanding the project in future years.
“We intend to keep the community involved,” she said.
And if Ms Young’s enthusiasm is any indication, Walcha’s trees can expect even bigger and brighter winter wardrobes in the years ahead.
“I’ve got such plans,” she said with a laugh. “Always have plans.”
For anyone interested in becoming a part of the Walcha Yarn Bombing group, contact Anne on 0477 458 772 or Lyn O’Connell on 0402 444 794.
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