Macedon Ranges Spinners and Fibre Group president Kerri Borg is a passionate textile artist and Sunbury resident. Oscar Parry spoke with Kerri about her connection to Sunbury and the joys of being involved with the spinners and fibre group.
What is your connection to Sunbury?
My husband Ray and I built our house and moved to Sunbury in 1984. We raised our two children in this area and both are still living in the region. Both Ray and I have worked in this region – Ray at Gisborne Secondary College and myself at Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School until I retired. I also taught swimming for several years and taught piano privately for many years.
We have been involved with the Sunbury Conservation group in the past. I love taking my dogs to the off-lead area and enjoying the fruits of our labour and remembering seeing our children getting involved, forming friendships, and having fun. I was also a volunteer with the Organ Pipes National Park, the Leprosy Mission and the Sunbury Winter Shelter through St Andrews Uniting Church. More recently, I have joined the Sunbury Art Society.
What do you like about where you live?
I love the walking paths that meander through the estates of Sunbury, the greenery, and the fauna in the area. The bird life in particular is so diverse and spectacular. The generosity of locals and businesses supporting the various volunteer groups is simply heart-warming.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I would like to slow progress a little, this town is exploding. But I guess you can’t stop progress – we all need somewhere to live and this is a pretty good place to do that. I would like to think with all the new developments we can maintain our open spaces and wildlife corridors. I would love to see some bike [and] walking tracks along Jacksons Creek, it is such a beautiful waterway.
What do you enjoy about being president of the Macedon Ranges Spinners and Fibre Group?
The friendship and support of the group, the knowledge base of the group relating to all things fibre and textiles is phenomenal. The group was started as a gathering for women affected by the 1983 Macedon bushfires. A group of women started meeting in members’ homes, then in venues in Woodend, Gisborne, Riddells Creek and now – Bullengarook. We are lucky to have a few sheep breeders in our group, producing high quality fleece that we can purchase our fibre from. As well as sharing our skills [and] crafting items both practical and beautiful, the social aspect is still our most important priority. New members are warmly welcomed by our group of talented [and] friendly women.
How did you get started with your craft?
On the first day of my retirement, I sat in my house and thought about the long list of things I had said I would do when I retired. Top of the list was to learn to use the spinning wheel that had sat in a corner collecting dust for about 30 years. I did a course at the Spinners and Weavers Guild in Brunswick, then took their advice and found a local group. It has been a great decision, it is a group I am proud to be part of and president of – a role I could not do without the assistance of an amazing secretary and treasurer and past presidents to assist me.
