The Knitting Club presented its first instalment of blankets and scarves to the St Vincent de Paul Society on 4 July.  Olivia L and Layla E (our most prolific knitters) were our presenters and spoke on behalf of the students. Room H13 was turned into a kaleidoscope of colour with our blankets displayed throughout the room. One special touch to our knitted items this year was a new cotton label which reads ‘Handmade with love by the St Patrick’s Knitting Club’ which has been sewn onto each item.

Forty two blankets and 28 scarves were presented to Jane Willoughby, Patrick Jordan (ex-staff member) and Cynthia Fenemore of the St Vincent de Paul Society. These ladies spoke to the Knitting Club about the types of welfare cases where these blankets and scarves would be given. These include the homeless, women fleeing domestic violence and the elderly in the local Macarthur area. The students also had an opportunity to ask questions of the St Vincent de Paul Society members.

The presentation gave us an opportunity to spend some time with the volunteers who give up much so much time to assist the students. Special grandmothers Mrs Jan Vacchini, Mrs Pam Poole and Mrs Lynn Carlin knit prolifically for the group and always send in squares and blankets. Mrs Judith Andrews, who has been knitting for our group for over five years, sent her apologies.  We are very fortunate to have many ex-staff and friends of the College volunteer their time each Thursday lunchtime to teach the girls to knit, fix up those dropped stitches and sew the squares together. I  would like to acknowledge Mrs Maxine Evans, Ms Lorraine St John, Mrs Maureen O’Brien, Mrs Maureen McCann, Mrs Janine McLeod, Mrs Cathy Johnson, Mrs Shirley Mills, Mrs Jean Mills, Mrs Glenda Gaskell and Mrs Dell Costa.

This is our first instalment of knitted items for the year and we will continue to knit each Thursday lunchtime until Term 4.

Fran Musico Rullo - HSIE Teacher