Precious Pouches: A Community Effort
They say a stitch in time saves nine, but for the Eumundi community, their stitches will help save the lives of local wildlife burned in the recent fires.
For two weeks, sewers and volunteers from Eumundi have gathered at the PlayShed to sew and knit mittens and pouches for injured wildlife. The effort is in response to the Rescue Collective and Animal Rescue Craft Guild’s call for making pouches for baby sugar gliders, baby brush-tail and baby ringtail possums, joeys and koalas.
The PlayShed has just opened in the heart of Eumundi and this was the best way to start their workshops and classes. A quick call out to the community saw a group of locals quickly gather to help out. Sandy Bradley of the PlayShed said the response from volunteers has been uplifting in such a trying time.
“It has been so very sad and heartbreaking to see these poor animals in such pain and distress, to know so many have been burnt, injured, orphaned and it is absolutely devastating that so many koalas and other marsupials have perished,” she said.
“These animals are icons of our country…We have to protect and save these beautiful, helpless creatures and help support carers, rescuers and wildlife agencies.
“It’s been a privilege to receive such a heartfelt contribution from our beautiful Eumundi community and an extraordinary experience of people pulling together in times of crisis.”
Sandy said she was so grateful for the help of locals who donated their time to help make the mittens and pouches in what has become a worldwide effort.
“For those that have been coming to our group – thank you for your time, commitment, kindness, generosity of spirit, conversation, fun and a huge sense of connectedness in a united need to do something worthy and good,” she said.
“How wonderful that we can all be as a global community when we all work together. It’s powerful.”
Sandy said if anyone wants to help, they can gather their “tribe” and get busy sewing. Join the Animal Rescue Craft Guild group to see what is needed or check-in with groups such as Wildcare Australia to see can be donated or created to help.
