Report from Port Macquarie Weavers
Our little group is working away under the guidance of Joyce Smith. Last year we became adventurous and worked on a tribute to Nancy van de Linde, a long time member of the guild. Nancy is now living in Wauchope a little too far to travel to our weekly weaving sessions but her influence and encouragement is still felt. During 2005 the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council ran a project called Her Story
to encourage the documenting of stories about local women. Nancy was an obvious choice having led such an interesting life and contributing so much to others.
The Port Macquarie Family History wrote a story, based on interviews with Nancy and Patrick. To go with the story the weavers told her life in woven panels. Nancy joined in the project and wove a depiction of her life in China where she was born a daughter of missionaries. June Burges wove a scene from England to represent the period in Nancy's life when she went to school there and completed her nursing training. Her love affair with Patrick began there where they were married at the beginning of the Second World War.
After the war Nancy, Patrick and their first child moved to Hong Kong where their other four children were born and raised. Joyce Smith wove a scene of the familiar harbour to depict that happy time in Nancy's life. Nancy and Patrick's move to Australia was represented by Rosalie McIlrick, who showed the different environments in which they lived from the sea to the mountains and plains.
The panels were displayed at an exhibition of the Her Story Project held at the local library in November. Together with the panels a DVD was produced with Nancy and Patrick talking about weaving and the way it has been a constant source of pleasure in their lives as a hobby they can share.
The booklet is called Weaving: A Life Thread
and is available from the Port Macquarie and Districts Family History Society.
Port Macquarie Weavers