4 minute read
THE START OF SOMETHING BIG
In the July issue of ZIGZAG we told the story of the genesis of our organisation, The Craft Nest Project. Started in 2012 by CEO Roz Holt and friend Jodie Behn, they taught craft skills to girls out of Fallon Cottage in Everton Park
Over the years of running workshops as a small business, Roz could see the benefits of intergenerational mentoring, with older girls showing younger girls what craft skills they knew
But as demand grew, it was obvious that there needed to be more women involved In 2014, through an article about women leading the call for sustainability, Roz met Rebecca Cason who was doing a similar thing teaching craft to women
A business manager by day, Rebecca volunteered running the Brisbane branch of Brown Owls, a craft collective concept that was started in Melbourne in 2007 around the idea of building a craft gang - a group of two or more people who craft together, make mistakes, have fun and share skills.
Jen Dainer, Roz Holt (Fenson), Rebecca Cason, Jan McMahon, Claire Schmeider, Charlie Finlay, Michelle Durelli, Sarah Murphy, Rachel van der Kaag,
Both Rebecca and Roz shared similar philosophies about the benefits of intergenerational connection and skill sharing and the power of craft to connect a community. They recognised their synergies and understood that they’d be stronger if they joined forces.
Rebecca says, “Joining forces with Roz provided an opportunity to further explore how bringing women together with creativity reduces social isolation in our communities. Grass roots initiatives like The Nest are essential to creating new ways of working together for longlasting change.”
They were on the same path, but what they really needed was a home.
As Roz said in an interview at the time, “Every community needs a nest, a home or nurturing space where women can gather and connect - with other women and their young ones.”
While Rebecca had experience setting up a not-for-profit, BrisStyle, she and Roz embarked on six months of research and networking to figure out how they could achieve their dream.
They eventually found an ally in Everton Park MP, Tim Mander As a father of three daughters and passionate about mental health issues, he understood the vision of needing a place where women could ‘do life together’.
In late 2014 The Craft Nest hosted a Community Open Day in the old West End Market to officially announce their move to become an incorporated association.
A video captured Tim’s comments on the day: “I’ve realised that it’s not all about me generating ideas, it’s about finding people in the community who are passionate about something and who have the get-up-and-go to do things and help them and support them to facilitate the process.”
By 15 December 2014, The Nest Community was successfully incorporated as an association with core values of sustainability, hand making and skill sharing.
They had 12 founding members ranging from ten to 80 years of age.
In one of the many funding pitch documents that followed, they summarised their vision: “The Nest - a non-profit community hub for women and children that connects everyday people through sustainable art and craft. We are the female pilot version of the successful organisation - THE MEN’S SHED.”
By March 2015, they were successful in securing funding to cover 12 months of rent and overheads. This allowed them to take up residence in a heritage-listed home, 720 South Pine Rd Everton Park to lay the foundations of The Nest Community.
