Monday, July 19th, 2010
Our latest theme day, Creative Fibre, took place on Sunday 12 July where we had a variety of fantastic stall holders exhibiting and selling all things creative – jewellery, textiles, fabrics, felting accessories, handmade rugs, scarves and silk.
Congratulations to Kathryn Anderson the winner of our latest competition. She can keep the creative theme going as the new owner of Textiles: Complete Contemporary Craft, 75 Beautiful Projects.
Keep an eye out for our next competition – it could be your turn to win!
Monday, June 28th, 2010
We’re getting set to host our unique July creative theme day, Creative Fibre, on Sunday 11 July.
Creative Fibre stallholders will be exhibiting and selling textile jewellery, hand silkscreened textiles, vintage Japanese kimono fabrics, paper quilting, silk and wool felting accessories, handmade rugs, scarves and silk, textile screenprinting, contemporary handspun art yarn and more. The ANU School of Arts, Textile Design, and Megalo Access Arts will also be on hand, along with Canberra Regional Guilds, to demonstrate on the day and be available to answer questions.
To celebrate Creative Fibre, now in its seventh year, we’re running a competition. With every purchase made at the Old Bus Depot Markets until Creative Fibre is held on Sunday 11 July, you’ll go into the draw to win a copy of the book Textiles: Complete Contemporary Craft, 75 Beautiful Projects valued at $49.95.
Collect your entry form from any stallholder when you make a purchase.
Monday, June 21st, 2010
Greetings from a warm house.
Well, the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout happened on the 17th June and I am still here! I would like to thank those who provided sponsorship most sincerely for supporting me in this challenge. I managed to raise over $3000.00 –a thrill for me. You contributed not only financially, but with a great deal of moral support for which I am most grateful.
What happened on the night you ask? It was interesting and fun, as well as a challenge on a windy night with what we were told was a 1 degree celsius overnight minimum temperature. There were 111 Canberra business and community leaders who participated –all up for the challenge. As a group we raised over $332,000.
I saw some shocking sites with some people’s pyjamas and thermals! Glamour was not the name of the game! I enjoyed many interesting discussions and met some terrific people.
The Garden of Australian Dreams at the National Museum of Australia was our bedroom and for those who have not been there, it is a mostly concrete space with many alcoves and walkways. I bunked down with a group of about ten people and our possie turned out to be one of the better bets. Those who rushed to claim a spot in the “tunnel”, a cosy and sheltered space, found that snoring was amplified, so they didn’t get any sleep at all! The icy wind for most of us was the challenge, even though the rains had ceased earlier in the day. But as all Canberrans know, it could have been a lost worst—so we were thankful.
On the evening after registration, some mingling and an arrival greeting, we were asked to come into a room within the Museum to watch a short video on two people’s journey with homelessness. It was a very sobering experience to listen to the stories of two people who found themselves homeless for completely different reasons. We were then surprised when these two people, one by one, got up on the podium to speak to us directly and answer questions about homelessness. Amazing human beings indeed and it left this room full of relatively privileged people pondering all sorts of questions which it was meant to do.
Our wake up call was at 5am and we were served porridge and tea. Then off to hot showers and warm clothing and for those of us who did not have to work – even a nap in a warm bed. That is where our homeless journey ends ….BUT…. we are now more painfully aware that for the many others, their day will be completely focused on finding a place to stay warm, and seeking a meal.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and the Stallholders from the markets who donated a variety of beautiful warm woolen goods – I am sincerely most grateful for your friendship and support.
A message from one of our directors, Diane.
Monday, May 31st, 2010
Old Bus Depot Markets stallholders have got behind efforts to support the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Canberra to raise money for the homeless in our nation’s Capital.
As added support for the Canberra Vinnies CEO Sleepout, participating stallholders at the recent A Celebration of Wool day donated all things woolen and warm such as jumpers, beanies, hats, scarves, gloves and socks, to help keep the ‘homeless’ CEOs warm.
Old Bus Depot Market Director Diane Hinds said “I will wear a different beanie every hour during the sleepout. Everything will be given to Vinnies to distribute to Canberra’s homeless following the sleepout”.
The Canberra Times covered the story and you can read the full article and find out more information about the Vinnies CEO Sleepout here.
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
You may have heard about our competition that we ran during April to name our newest theme day at the markets. We asked for help to name a “Green Theme Day” – a special day that will be committed to stalls, talks, products and producers of sustainable, earth friendly, green, eco ideas and services. After receiving 91 well thought out, inspired and uniquely green entries we managed to settle on the winner….. “Green Savvy Sunday“.
Our winner was Jill Grant. Congratulations Jill, we hope you enjoy your 2 night escape down to Alpine Habitats on the Alpine way in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
Watch this space, sign up to the newsletter or follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date and get all the inside information on Green Savvy Sunday scheduled for later in 2010.
