By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
KAREN Martin knows first-hand the important work of the Monbulk CFA.
When they were called to her house to respond to an emergency several years ago, she found that many of the volunteers were former students from her days teaching at the local primary school.
Wanting to support a community organisation, Karen held the first Monbulk Quilt Show 10 years ago. Since then, the show has become a favourite among locals and quilters as well as an essential fund-raiser for the Monbulk CFA.
Karen runs “Mrs Martin’s Quilt Shop” and each year helps to organise the quilt show, which is to be held next month at the Living and Learning Centre.
Featuring an impressive array of handmade quilts by quilters of all abilities, this year’s event will also include stalls, Devonshire tea, a sausage sizzle, plants, flowers, cakes, crafts and a free showbag on entry for the first 100 guests. All proceeds from the event are donated to the brigade.
Each year the fund-raiser has helped the CFA to purchase and maintain essential services and equipment, including funding a mobile kitchen, new helmets and better lighting. This year the money will go towards storage.
Karen says she is glad to be able to give back to such a vital community organisation through the quilt show.
“The CFA are volunteers that work really hard and do a lot of their own fund-raising, so it’s great to be able to support them through a community event like this,” she said.
“We always get a great turnout for a fabulous day. It’s been a success every year so far.”
The Monbulk Quilt Show will be held on Saturday 14 March from 9.30am to 3pm at the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre, corner of Main Street and Moores Road, Monbulk. (Opposite Woolworths) Entry is $5 per person and all proceeds will be donated to the Monbulk CFA.
