Members of Mount Isa Quilters’ Group (MIQG) donated brightly coloured quilts, blankets, and placemats to the Laura Johnson Home (LJH) for their dementia ward.

Members created the quilts as a way of giving back to the organisation that houses them each fortnight, in the old dining room at the former LJH on Lucy Street.

LJH Director, Betty Kiernan, and Councillor Jean Ferris attended a beautiful handover ceremony on August 6.

Experienced quilter and Vice-President of the Mount Isa Quilters’ Group, Bev Wilmot, thanked Betty for the use of the shared space, also used by the Pensioners Association. 

“We thoroughly appreciate this space. I think we are one of the luckiest quilting groups in Queensland, and it is wonderful to be able to give back to the residents,” Bev said.

A recent grant from Mount Isa City Council allowed the group to host a two day workshop with expert quilting teacher Peggy Phelps from Toowoomba.

It was during Ms Phelps' workshop that the group presented the colourful array of handmade needlework.

Councillor Jean Ferris was thrilled to see the grant had been put to good use.

“It’s great to be able to give community grants, and it’s pleasing to know how the money is utilised,” Cr Ferris said.

Mount Isa Quilters’ President Dianne Maschke expressed the group’s gratitude to Mount Isa City Council.

“Living in remote North West Queensland, it is expensive for us to travel to workshops on the coast. The grant provides a wonderful opportunity for bush quilters to have good quality quilting teachers fly in to do these workshops,” Ms Maschke said.

“Funding grants such as the Mount Isa City Council’s make this possible and helps with the affordability of the workshops.”