'Benalla Rugged Up' 2019 was installed by the Benalla Yarn Bombers on Friday 2nd August. There has been an overwhelmingly warm response on NEA's Facebook Page to posts we have shared, however we are aware that some people are perplexed, asking questions about the event and that the reception has been mixed on some social media sites. The 'Benalla Rugged Up' planning portal on this website received a question through the contact us page ' ' "People have been asking why we are wrapping trees etc. Can you email me the purpose of Yarn Bombing and what it is supporting please. (Name Supplied)" We asked Joy Shirley from Benalla Yarn Bombers to reply to our reader - here is Joy's reply: 'Benalla Rugged Up', an annual yarn bombing event, came about in 2018 when thinking about something that could involve the community at a quiet time of the year - winter. As the ideas developed, we realised that the end of winter meant that the streetscape had little colour and that yarn bombing could bring colour to the street. There are a number of people in town who knit and crochet and this would give them an outlet for their creativity. As the ideas developed further, we found that homelessness week occured in August as well, so the thought of encouraging the community to be aware of homelessness in the north east while warming up our town also developed. So the thoughts behind the event became warmlng/rugging up Benalla while encouraging awareness of the need to help to rug up people who are homeless." The reasons underpinning yarnbombing events and the chosen sites vary. Bendigo yarn bombers yarn bomb a tram; while on the weekend of the Chiltern Jam Session festival in late July the pillars in the streets of Chiltern are yarn bombed with colourful squares containing music 'notes'.. In Benalla, trees and elements of the streetscape in the retail precinct are the focus of the yarnbombers' attention. Would you like to read more:about yarn bombing?
'Knit one, Purl One - the mysteries of yarn bombing unravelled' Alyce McGovern, The Conversation Bendigo Tramway = 'Yarn Bomb Tram' 'Yarn Bombing Lifts Spirits of Drought Hit Warwick '
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Friday was a busy but successful day, “rugging up” Benalla. The majority of the installation was complete by around 3:30 on Friday. This included installations on trees and bollards along Mair, Nun and Carrier streets. Saturday a small group checked the installation and made adjustments and additions as available. This included some extra bollards covered in Carrier Street and a few repairs.
Thanks to everyone who contributed, and particularly to those who helped with installation activities. A special thank you to the ANZ bank volunteers who did so much of the installation work. "Wandering around with her camera on Saturday I spoke with a few locals and visitors. In general everyone was positive. One gentleman even commented that it felt it warmed up the town. So good work to everyone." said Joy Shirley, Coordinator. There are also some decorations outside Cooinda, the Uniting Churchand out in Swanpool. So get out and have a look around. Over the next few weeks, we need to keep an eye on the installation and make repairs if necessary. We do not want things to start looking untidy – not a good look for our town. If you see a problem, and you cannot fix it yourself, send me a message and I will see what can be done to make sure all still looks good. The removal of the work will take place on 31 August., coordinated by Chris Dunster will be co-ordinating . If you can helplet Joy know = Joy pass on your details to Chris. Well done to all! Joy Shirley Hello All
We are now in the final stage of preparation for the “Benalla Rugged Up” yarn bombing event. The last week has seen good progress, but there is always more that can be done. Here is a summary of where we are at (updates from last week’s status information in green; effort still required in red):
The outstanding tasks are:
As you can see there is still some work to do. The fun part of actually producing the material has been great. To date the hard work of organisation has been done by a small group of people. Further assistance from people who are available on Saturday, 3 August to help with the installation would be of great help. We will be meeting on Wednesday, 31 July at 10:00 to review and finalise the plans for the installation on 2/3 August (that is the coming Friday and Saturday!). Everyone is welcome to come to this meeting. We will be meeting in our “work room” at the Gliding Club. Call me if you have trouble finding the work room (0417 065 351). If you can help with the finishing work on the material (mainly sorting and sewing) or with the installation on either Friday or Saturday, please come along on Wednesday or call me on 0417 065 351. I have cancelled all my other commitments this week apart from Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon, so I should be available to talk with you if you have any questions. And you can always send me an email. I hope you have enjoyed any part you have played in the journey to get us to this point, and even if you cannot help with the installation, come along and say hello to those who are working on this essential part of the event. After all, this was the goal for the work we have all undertaken. Thank you all Joy 0417 065 351 Hello all
Here is the latest update around the progress towards our yarn bombing event – Benalla Rugged Up.
The outstanding tasks are:
If you can help with any of these tasks, let me know. We are still working out of the Gliding Club building, but have moved to a ground floor room – actually we have three rooms. I plan to be there Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and Friday afternoon this week. The building is open form around 9:00 to 3:00 Monday-Wednesday and Friday. I can also arrange to be there on Monday afternoon and part of Thursday, or even later afternoon, early evenings on any day if anyone can help at those times. Just give me a call on 0417 065 351. Our major priority now though is to identify extra volunteers to assist with the installation process. Without volunteers to help with the installation, all the effort to get us to this stage will not be successful. Please contact me as a matter of urgency if you can assist with the installation on either Friday 2 August or Saturday 3 August. An hour or two on either day is all that we ask, or more if you are available. Just let me know what time/s you can help so I can set up a roster. We are near the end, and with the material that we have received, we are quite excited about being able to achieve more than last year. Our town will be brightly coloured for August. Joy 0417 065 351 Hello All
We have just under three weeks before the installation days on 2/3 August. This is just a brief update around the progress to date for our Benalla Rugged Up yarn bombing event.
For those who are able to help with some of this, the Gliding Club room will generally be available from 9:00 to 3:00 Monday to Wednesday and on Friday while the office is open. Please let Rhonda in the office know if you are there. I will be there:
If anyone is only able to help on Thursday, please call me so we can work out if there is a time that I can be there – at the moment I am not planning to be there as I have another commitment, but may be able to work around this. Joy Shirley 0417 065 351 |
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