Growing green: Cathy Javier and Vivian Natale are proud of their potted plant designs. Photos: Nicola Ceccato
Photo by
Nicola Ceccato
Embracing their creative side during lockdown, the women of the Goulburn Valley Senior Association put their skills to the test by creating handbags, scarves and even embroidered towels.
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This hobby developed into a business soon after with help from the Duniya Behter program, which provided funding through Multicultural Arts Victoria.
The program gives women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds a chance to start their own business and receive the funding and training needed to do so.
Since July last year, the Goulburn Valley Senior Association women have worked alongside several others to make their businesses a reality, with the official launch of all the businesses taking place on Wednesday, April 13.
Lots of work: Jessica Carminati with her knitted shawl and Emmie Steinhouse with her macramé-held pot plant.
Photo by
Nicola Ceccato
Goulburn Valley Senior Association president Rosanna Rigoli said it had been a great experience.
“We get to sell the products that are our passion,” she said.
“For us, this is like encouragement ... As a group we need to develop something between ourselves.”
Some of the products on offer include handmade face masks, pot plants, as well as various embroidered and knitted items.
Talented: Lydia Gibbons shows off her two handmade knitted scarves.
Photo by
Nicola Ceccato
Mrs Rigoli makes handbags, using strapping material as the body and irrigation tubing for the handle.
She appreciates the opportunity to be able to share her craft as a business, rather than just being gifts for her friends and family.
Mrs Rigoli said arts and crafts helped her maintain her mental wellbeing during the pandemic, as the farm where she lives could be a lonely place.
Inventive: Rosanna Rigoli uses old strapping and irrigation tubing to make her unique handbag designs.
Photo by
Nicola Ceccato
She stressed the importance of individuality in the program and said it was a great support system between them.
“They’re so resourceful,” Mrs Rigoli said, referring to the women involved.
Mrs Rigoli was planning to keep going and hoped to even go global some day, while keeping her products locally made.
She said more colour variety would be needed in her handbags to satisfy the customers.
Macramé creativity: Benita Connelly and Rebecca Rid use twine to tie macramé pot hangers as part of their craft projects in the GV Senior Association.
Photo by
Nicola Ceccato
Green thumb: Mel Torney with her various plant arrangements.
Photo by
Nicola Ceccato
Many talents: Lorna Coucill is proud of her home-grown bonsai plant, which she has spent ages growing, and her embroidered towel designs.
Photo by
Nicola Ceccato
Christopher Lawless is a work experience student at The News
