General News
10 January, 2025
BEST OF 2024: CWA Windmill Yarners Friendship Group
CWA Windmill Yarners and Friendship Group continues to support the local community. Since 2018, the community group has been meeting weekly for morning tea and activities.
First published November 28, 2024.
Heather Thiele and Jane Coxsedge started the group out of interest in crochet and knitting. Since then, their Tuesday morning teas have become a regular social event.
“[We] started off as just a crochet group,” said Heather, “but it’s turned into a friendship group now.”
CWA Windmill Yarners continue to knit in support of local groups and those beyond our region. Rugs and blankets made by members of the group are donated to members of the community in need, and Macquarie Home Stay in Dubbo.
Members also knit for the Dubbo cancer ward, local students leaving for university, and blankets in the colours of the Aboriginal Flag are handmade for the Westmead Aboriginal Children’s Ward.
Made With Love – Murrum is another group supported by the CWA Windmill Yarners. Made With Love – Murrum is a Sydney-based group that supports parents who have recently lost a baby. They make gowns, beanies, and blankets for bereaved parents and provide them for free.
The Windmill Yarners knit and crochet a number of gowns and beanies to go to the group.
“A whole heap of women contribute,” said Heather. “Julie Prout [is one] who has been making small gowns for years.
“There are some ladies who aren’t well enough to come out [to our meetings], but still knit and drop them off,” she said. “Other ladies donate wool and yarn for us to use. We do greatly appreciate them.”
“Mental health, wellbeing, and self-care… that’s what [our group] is about,” said Heather. “Come when you want, leave when you want, that’s what we’re all about.”
