Riviera Quilters Inc members are looking forward to an interesting and busy year.
2026 is a special year for the group, as it will be holding a quilt show in May — the first exhibition since COVID lockdowns forced the cancellation of the 2020 show.
“Riviera Quilters held a quilt show every two years until the pandemic,”
president Melissa Hopley said.
“It is now eight years since the last quilt show, and our members and friends have been asking for a while when we would do another exhibition. We are now on track for the third weekend in May this year. It is an exciting time.”
Each year, Riviera Quilters members select a charity to support, with any profit from the quilt show donated to the
chosen organisation.
“In past years, we have supported organisations such as Riding for the Disabled, Backpacks for Vic Kids, and The View Club,” Ms Hopley said.
“The charity for 2025/26 is East Gippsland Days for Girls. We hold various fundraising activities throughout the year, with the total donation presented to the charity at our annual general meeting in August.”
Over the past ten years, Riviera Quilters has donated around $30,000 to charity. This does not include the many quilts and other sewn items that have been given to a range of organisations and schools across the region.
“Riviera Quilters began more than 30 years ago and has been donating funds, quilts, and other goods to charities and individuals ever since. It is an amazingly generous organisation,” Ms Hopley said.
Over the past year, members have
been donating quilts and carry bags to the Oncology Unit at Bairnsdale Regional
Health Service.
“From the responses we have received, the Oncology quilts have been greatly appreciated by patients of the unit,” Ms Hopley said.
Riviera Quilters Inc holds a gathering on the first Saturday of each month and a sit-and-sew on the third Saturday. All visitors are most welcome. Details are available on the group’s Facebook page.
