September 2025 marks 30 years since the founding of Ballaarat Quilters Inc.
To mark this momentous occasion, members got together for a night of memories and celebration. And pearls!
Founding members Ruth and Donnie.
Current President Jen, and founding member Ruth, cut the delicious passionfruit sponge.
At our 2025 AGM on 9th August, the following members were elected:
President: Jen Mitchell
Vice President: Anneli Hamilton
Secretary: Donna Runner
Treasurer: Vireya Jacquard
Committee Members: Jaccy DeJong, Glenda Dunens
It was great to see the mystery unfold. There were no two the same.
It isnt possible to show them all, but I managed to get some photos as the quilt tops were laid out on the floor.
Two versions explored yellow
Another increased her challenge by reducing the size of the blocks by 50%.
Individual preferences for some blocks was evident, particularly with curves. The orange peel block although involving curves was surprisingly incorporated into many of the quilts.
Hopefully I can upload some more quilts when they become available.
This year many members have participated in a mystery quilt challenge and are looking forward to the reveal in late November. Donnie Davidson, a life member, accepted the committee’s invitation to develop a mystery quilt design and created instructions that were released in instalments over 5 months. Each instalment had instructions for 2 different blocks, with later instalment introducing optional designs for potential alternative blocks. A minimum of 72 blocks was suggested as a potential size for the quilt. Blocks have been designed to be finished 8″ square and predominantly use high and low volume fabrics to create contrasts.
Members were encouraged to see the instructions as a guide rather than a strict template for their quilt. No specific final layout was offered, rather members were supported to develop their own layout. The blocks primarily used traditional designs (for example, half square triangles, & flying geese) and therefore were familiar to most of the members.
No two quilts will be the same, although most of the elements are common to each quilt. Some members have changed the size of the blocks or the number of each block they chose to make. Fabric choices have been varied – some using scraps, others a solo background fabric and some following a particular designer. The final quilts will be of different sizes, different combinations of blocks and different hues.
Look for Mystery Quilt Part B in late November to see some of the mystery quilts revealed.
On the August 10th members of Ballaarat Quilters Incorporated elected the following members to the committee:
President: Kym Russell
Vice President: Kaylene Wilson
Secretary: Donnie Davidson
Treasurer: Sally Wellard
Committee Member: Heather Hagen
Committee Member: Jaccy de Jong
Ballaarat Quilters 