We hear from retiring committee members about their experience.
This month, Donna Cumming, Jill Brake and Liz McKenzie
______________________________________________________________
Donna Cumming
After a long conversation with Catherine McDonald (when she was president) where she shared with me her goals,aspirations and vision for AQ, and being the only organisation that represented the whole body of NZ Quilters, I joined AQ and then came on the committee, in 2016, along with 6 other newbies.
I have looked after ‘membership’ during this time,watching it go from a paper-based renewal system to a totally website/internet based one, along with several system changes/improvements in between. I have also watched our membership increase and maintain a healthy level.
My personal highlight would have to be going to AilsaCraig (Canada) in 2019. Here I experienced our ‘works’ being greatly admired, not just a quilt show, but a full NZexperience being viewed and enjoyed by thousands. What shocked me was the number of young (younger than me) men who were not being dragged through the door, but were there willingly to see what inspired NZ’ers to create their artwork.
I have met (and not always remembered) lots of fabulous people at our AQ exhibitions and events – this I will miss.
________________________________________________________
Jill Brake
I have enjoyed my time on the Aotearoa Quilters committee.
My position on the committee has been “Sponsorship” and the Great NZ Quilt Show sub committee.
Being involved in the organising of the 2021 and 2023 Great NZ Quilt Shows has been very satisfying and a wonderful experience.
I’d like to say thanks to our current committee members and the past committee members for the time we have worked together inspiring one another and helping us all reach the goals to make AQ what it is today.
Warm Regards Jill Brake
___________________________________________________________
Liz McKenzie
I started quilting in 2004 and joined NANZQ the following year.
I remember the rebranding of NANZQ to Aotearoa Quilters in 2009, the decline and suggested winding up in 2013 followed by the rejuvenation that followed. In 2016 I was one of 7 new members elected to the Committee and took on the role of Treasurer. Being a member of the Committee has been an interesting experience – a lot of hard work but worth it to have seen the growth, increase in membership and financial stability that has been achieved by the Committee’s efforts, individual members’ support and numerous grants and donations received to enable existing and new projects to be, such as the Great NZ Quilt Show, residential seminars and more recently, due to Covid the necessity of taking advantage of the internet for webinars, online lectures and Zoom meetings. I hope that the Committee can continue to expand on its vision and use the resources and funds available to further promote patchwork and quilting in New Zealand at all levels.
One of the highlights of my time on the Committee was the trip in May 2019 to Canada to promote New Zealand Quilting organized by the Ailsa Craig Arts Group , South West Ontario. Five committee members and four tutors travelled to Ailsa Craig and were hosted by local families for 10 days. An amazing experience! As well as the exhibition of more than 150 New Zealand Quilts, we were all involved with six days of workshops, lectures, and daily floor talks, New Zealand food was featured in the cafeteria and visitors included ex-pats who had flown in/or travelled several hours to attend. One of my favourite sights was seeing a pushchair cover made of Kiwiana fabric!
Another interesting connection was with a Japanese group who arranged two challenges with AQ and a French Group – involving 30 quilters from each country and exhibited in all three countries.
I have enjoyed my six years on the Committee, made some wonderful friendships and had contact with some amazingly talented people. I will miss being part of the committee but am ready to move on.
I wish Committee and Aotearoa Quilters all the best in the future.