Summary

Sewing bag created by Seaford-Moana Craft Group and gifted to survivors of the Black Saturday bushfires. Stella and Alan Reid found this gift in a bag hanging on their front gate. The kit was not used by Stella or Alan.

The sewing bag contains: scissors and holder, pin wheel, pin cushion, needle holder, bag of miscellaneous items (snap fasteners, pin wheel, hook and eyes, tape measure, safety pins, buttons, press studs, reel of white cotton, reel of blue cotton, seam ripper), gift card and bookmark. Some of the items have been used and appear to be compiled from other sewing kits.

Alan and Stella Reid live adjacent to the Kinglake National Park. They created 'Wildhaven' in 1998, as a refuge and rehabilitation centre specialising in kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. The Black Saturday bushfires destroyed everything on their property, all of the animals in their care were killled, and their home and other buildings were razed. Stella is a member of the St Andrews CFA and was on active duty during the day; she witnessed her home go up in flames from across the valley. Alan, who was at home when the fire struck was lucky to escape without injury. The fire killed twelve of their neighbours, the 40-50 animals in their care, hundreds of animals in the surrounding properties, and (according to their estimate) up to 90% of the wildlife in Kinglake National Park.

Physical Description

A black and white linen printed bag with long handles and a press stud to close the opening. The contents are placed within the bag, with smaller items in zip-lock plastic bags.

Significance

This item is part of a collection relating to the experiences of Alan and Stella Reid following the devastating impact of the Black Saturday bushfires. In particular it helps provide insights into the community response through the variety of gifts and donations provided to survivors of the bushfires and the ideas of the types of needs they represented.

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