Threads of kindness in every item
Near the lifts outside Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital, two volunteers sit side-by-side spinning a yarn. Carol and Liljana are part of the dedicated Western Health volunteer team. They donate their time to knit and crochet a variety of baby items sold on a cart in the main foyer of the hospital.
Carol, with nearly 60 years of knitting experience, creates her signature ‘bubble cardigan’ in soft baby blue, while her friend and fellow volunteer Liljana carefully crochets a beautiful baby blanket. They've been volunteering for over a decade, transforming balls of wool into clothes, toys and other items to comfort newborns and support the hospital.
Carol remembers knitting her first sweater at four years old, learning from her mother in England. Now, she's crafted more than 400 items to help support the hospital.
'Knitting is very calming and you feel really rewarded when you know that you have made something for a baby and that you are helping the hospital.
‘It’s also a great way to get together with other volunteers, who have become like an extended family for me,’ Carol said.
Liljana said volunteering had helped her through difficult personal times and helped her connect with other people with similar interests. Her specialty is crocheting and she makes incredible blankets and scarves, a skill she first learnt back in her country of birth, Macedonia.
‘I enjoy meeting people and I feel happy and excited knowing that I am helping the hospital,’ Liljana said.
The pair also enjoy chatting to visitors who stop by the volunteers’ cart to purchase a gift or admire their wares, which include: cardigans, jumpers, blankets, scarves, toys, booties and beanies.
All proceeds of the sales go to the Western Health Foundation, which uses it to support the current and future needs of Western Health. We are so grateful to Liljana and Carol, and all our volunteers who have an invaluable impact on the patients and staff at Western Health.