Residents at Tudor Village are once again showcasing their remarkable creativity and generosity, with the Tudor Village Craft Group producing a beautiful range of handmade Easter gifts to raise funds for charity. The group, a long-standing and beloved fixture of the village community, has been busy crafting festive items for residents and visitors to purchase, with all proceeds distributed among a selection of charities chosen by members.
This Easter fundraiser is a wonderful example of how community spirit and creative talent can come together to make a meaningful difference, right at the heart of the Tudor Village community.
Every item purchased supports real causes chosen by the group's own members. From local emergency services to wildlife care and health charities, the Tudor Village Craft Group ensures that the joy of Easter giving extends well beyond the village gates.
Founded in 1994 by a small group of residents meeting in a private home, the Tudor Village Craft Group has grown into one of the community's most treasured institutions. The group moved into the Community Centre shortly after its completion in 1995, and has been a creative and social hub ever since.
Over the decades, the group has been guided by several dedicated leaders. Current coordinator Roselynne Waghorn continues a proud legacy established by earlier leaders Carole Darby and Wanda Batchelor, women whose passion for craft and community helped shape the group into what it is today.
Meeting fortnightly at the Community Centre, the Craft Group brings together a lively and welcoming circle of women who share a love of handmade crafts. Their sessions feature a wide variety of techniques, including:
It's a space where members come not only to craft but also to teach, learn, and connect, making it as much a social gathering as a creative one.
One of the group's most treasured creations, a detailed quilt made in 2001, remains proudly on display in the Community Centre library. A testament to the skill and dedication of past members, the quilt narrowly escaped destruction during a 2013 fire, having been temporarily stored offsite. It stands today as a lasting symbol of the group's history and heart.
The Tudor Village Craft Group's generosity extends well beyond Easter. Throughout the year, the group produces handmade cards, seasonal items for Christmas, and a wide range of craft contributions that support other Tudor Village activities and community events.
Their year-round charitable efforts include:
In a standout community effort, the group produced more than 1,500 knitted and crocheted poppies to honour Diggers during the ANZAC Centenary in 2018; a remarkable achievement that reflects the group's deep commitment to remembrance and community. A poppy display has been a feature of Tudor Village's annual ANZAC and Remembrance Day commemorations every year since.
The Tudor Village Craft Group has a long and proud history of charitable giving, supporting a diverse range of organisations, including:
Emergency Services & Community Groups:
Lilydale SES, CFA Lilydale, Gruyere, Coldstream and Mount Evelyn, Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink, The Mustard Tree Op Shop and Café, Stable 1 at Wandin Baptist Church, Holey Fools and Share the Dignity.
Wildlife & Health Charities:
Jumpers for Penguin Rehabilitation, Joey pouches for Wildlife Victoria, KOGO, Spectrum Journey Inc, Tastyaz and Allity Aged Care.
Vulnerable Communities:
Treasured Babies, Box Hill Premmies and Red Cross Trauma Teddies, providing handmade goods and comfort to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Today, the Tudor Village Craft Group continues to thrive as both a creative outlet and a social hub, a place where members gather to craft, connect and contribute to something greater than themselves. The group remains deeply grateful for the ongoing support of residents who donate supplies and purchase handmade items, helping ensure their charitable efforts can continue well into the future.
Whether it's Easter crafts, ANZAC poppies or handmade cards for a worthy cause, the Tudor Village Craft Group is proof that community spirit, stitch by stitch, can make a truly lasting impact.
Interested in supporting the Tudor Village Craft Group? Residents and visitors are warmly encouraged to:
Learn more about life and community at Tudor Village at tudorvillage.com.au
