In the past 18 months the Blue Mountains Quilters Community Quilts Group has been able to donate 20 plus quilts to Wimlah Womens Refuge. 

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At the September quilters gathering we were excited to hand over a 'cheque' for $7000 to Wimlah Women's Refuge in Katoomba, this money being the proceeds from the 2019 Springwood Community Quilt Show held in April. 

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The manager of Wimlah, Rebecca Clarence, attended the gathering along with her colleagues, Ruth, Rachel and Helen.Rebecca spoke to the group about the important work done at the refuge and gave us some disturbing statistics regarding the prevalence of family violence in Australia. It reinforced the need for services such as theirs and how valuable our donations of both money and quilts is to them. 

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We also handed over another 10 quilts made by BMQ members both individually, and as part of the Community Quilting Group. The generosity of our members in donating their time, fabrics and finished quilts is amazing and ongoing. 

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As the coordinator of the Community Quilting Group, I am heartened by the appreciation expressed by Rebecca and her staff for the relationship which has been established between Wimlah and BMQ and for our quilt donations. I truly believe that they are making a difference to women's and children's lives at a very difficult time. The financial contribution we have made will also provide opportunities for improved services and experiences to be provided to Wimlah's clients.

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Thank you to everyone who made quilts for the display at the show, the Show Comittee, headed by Susan Dallas, and all the volunteers who helped out over the weekend during the show to make it the great success that it was. Thanks also to the members of the BMQ who each month help with the planning, cutting, sewing, quilting and binding of the quilts. 

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Bronwyn English

Community Quilts Coordinator.

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