Longford Craft Group celebrated its 20th anniversary recently, with members coming together for a special morning tea to mark the occasion.
In 2003, the Sale branch of the Australian Cake Decorating Association hosted a craft display in Sale where Shirley Fyfe, Longford Crafters founding member, displayed a variety of her scrapbooking projects. It was here that fellow cake decorator, Kaye Melrose, asked Shirley if she could teach her how to scrapbook, and as they say, the rest is history.
With other expressions of interest from locals, it was decided that everyone could meet fortnightly at the Longford Community Centre, and Shirley would share some of the scrapbooking skills she’d learnt.
Shirley undertook creative work for two online scrapbooking stores and had work featured in numerous scrapbooking magazines. Her pride and joy were a For Keeps magazine front cover and feature of her grandmother in 2003 and another Mother’s Day front cover feature in 2009.
Whilst initially named Longford Scrapbookers, the group diversified over time and was renamed a few years ago to the Longford Crafters.
Longford Crafters continues to meet every fortnight on a Friday at the Longford Community Centre and welcomes anyone who enjoys any aspect of craft to come along and share their passion. Even COVID didn’t stop the group from being creative and sharing with one another, with Longford Crafters moving to sharing and conversing online.
Whilst work commitments currently prevent Shirley from attending regularly, long-time friend and member Jan Kotrba has ensured that Longford Crafters not only continues but is a social get-together that is thoroughly enhanced by everyone who attends.
Jan often brings along a project or two that members can undertake themselves, or members can simply choose to bring along their own crafting projects to do.
In celebrating 20 years, Shirley and Jan extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all those current and past members of Longford Crafters who have shared their lives, loves, and passions and made the group what it is today.
