By Jeremy Sollars
Yarnbombers braved yesterday’s chilly early morning in the Warwick CBD as this year’s tree dressing got underway in full force ahead of today’s launch of the 2017 Jumpers and Jazz in July festival.
The Free Times caught up with a few of our local creative types who were busy on Palmerin Street adorning their allocated bare winter tree in the earlier part of the morning.
Among them were members of the Zonta Club of Warwick whose colourful creation highlights one of the often hidden issues in our community – that being domestic violence.
Zonta member Chris Munro said while the club was keen to be part of the overall festivities, they were likewise intent on delivering a serious message to those experiencing domestic violence issues.
The Zonta tree is entitled The Tree of Hope, and that’s what the club is hoping to spread in Warwick this Jumpers and Jazz season.
“The colour orange is symbolic of the campaign against domestic violence,” she said.
“Our tree features 52 larger flowers, representing the fact that at least one woman a week dies in Australia as a result of domestic violence.
“The 365 smaller flowers on the tree are a reminder that women suffer domestic violence every day of the year.”
For more facts and figures on domestic violence, resources and where to find help visit www.ourwatch.org.au
More tree-dressing snaps inside on page 3 …
The Southern Free Times is right in the Jumpers and Jazz in July spirit, with the female half of the team having been busy crafting up the jumper for the tree outside our offices on Fitzroy Street.
Distribution manager Lisa Crouch and advertising sales executive Natasha Sheehan spent part of yesterday installing our Well and truly read and recycled textile artwork, which incorporates newsprint and business cards to encourage increased re-use of paper products.
The duo have been working away at their exhibit in recent weeks and are pleased with the end result.
“We’ve used a range of recyclable material, including newsprint, magazines and cardboard,” Natasha said.
“They’re all items we found either in the office or at home which we thought would work well for a theme of recycling.
“It’s the first time the Free Times has decorated a tree for Jumpers and Jazz, and we hope the first of many.”
Sections and prizes in this year’s ‘yarnbombing’ side of Jumpers and Jazz include –
* Section 1: Open Entry, $500 prize
No specific theme or set materials.
* Section 2: Excellence in Knitting
and/or Crochet, $500 prize
No specific theme. Entry must be created using mainly knitting or crochet or a combination of both.
* Section 3: Festival Theme, $500 prize
Create a tree jumper inspired by the word “Meander”.
* Section 4: Hall of Fame $500
This award will be presented to an entrant who has excelled in the art of yarnbombed tree jumper creation. Selected from all entries in
sections 1, 2 and 3
* AWARD – Best Community Group Entry in the Official Tree Jumper Competition
Not for profit community groups and schools will be eligible for this award when they tick the box on the entry form.
* AWARD – Decorated School Trees in School Grounds
Schools are encouraged to decorate the trees in their grounds inspired by the word “POP”
