Felting hands on the MorEE PLAINS
Arts North West, Moree Plains Shire Council and Primary Health Networks collaborated to deliver four wet felt hat-making workshops as part of the project ‚‘Felting Hands of The Moree Plains‘, with artist Joanne Barr and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP).
‘Felting Hands of The Moree Plains‘ was delivered in the community halls of Mungindi, Boomi, Pallamallawa and Garah. These workshops provided an opportunity for 30 participants to reconnect, checking in with each other and with their mental health as well as learn a range of felt-making techniques with artist, Joanne Barr. Joanne has extensive experience in a range of areas including textiles, education and training, and agriculture and is willing to share her creative skills with all workshop participants. Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Coordinator Letitia Cross attended the workshops to provide informal support and a point of contact for information and resources on health and wellbeing.
In the one-day workshops over participants went home with a newly created felt hat, new friends, and reinvigorated connections in their community.
This project has been made possible with funding from the Boosting Rural Resistance Program and Create NSW.
FELTING HANDS ON THE NAMOI
June 2024, delivering two free wet-felt hat-making workshops to flood-affected communities in the Narrabri Shire. In partnership with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and Hunter New England Health, these workshops served as a creative and cultural response to the challenges faced by these rural areas, fostering resilience, connection, and hope.
Culture and the arts played a transformative role in supporting these communities, offering care, comfort, and reduced feelings of isolation. These workshops provided participants with an outlet for emotional expression, a chance to reframe their connection to life and landscape, and an opportunity to celebrate their shared experiences. The initiative strengthened community bonds, empowered individuals, and fostered optimism and reflection, leaving a lasting positive impact.
The workshops were led by Liverpool Plains creative Joanne Barr, whose extensive expertise in textiles, education, and agriculture enriched the sessions. Joanne’s guidance allowed participants to explore their creative potential and learn the intricate art of wet felting. Each participant left the workshop with a handmade felt hat, new friendships, and revitalized community connections.
RAMHP Coordinator Letitia Cross attended both workshops, offering informal support and providing health and wellbeing resources, ensuring the events also addressed mental health and emotional recovery.
The one-day workshops held at the Baan Baa Community Hall on June 11 and the Gwabegar Community Hall on June 12 were met with enthusiasm and gratitude. Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn new skills while engaging with their community in a meaningful and uplifting way. This initiative showcased the profound impact of arts and culture in responding to disasters and fostering community resilience, serving as a beacon of optimism for these flood-affected areas.
