Bronte is my aunt and is getting married this March 2024. She is a funny, caring person.

I done this for the strongest, most independent woman I know, my mum, the woman who raised me. Kind, caring, thoughtful and many more. I would be greatful if I am just half the woman she is when I am older.

I chose this person because she was a part of my family and meant a lot. She was a very strong person.

On a recent trip to one of my favourite second hand shops in Nelson, NZ, I located 'FLORENCE' in a basket of random textiles. She immediately rang a bell with me. My Great, Great Grandmother, Florence Bertha Taylor (1885 - 1975), was one of 20 children of Thomas Taylor and Sarah Bourke, who were early residents of Waikaia (formerly Switzers) in Southland, NZ. Thomas was a banker and valuer, working with goldminers. Florence went on to marry and have four sons, all who predeceased her, including her longest surviving offspring - my grandfather who died just after I was born of a heart attack, aged 50. Finding this patch felt like fate, and honours the resourcefulness that continues throughout generations of our family. 'Florence' is beautifully hand-sewn on a fine black cotton hankerchief in a mix of coloured linen, with tiny hand stitches. I've embroidered (badly) 'by Anon, NZ'. Text by Carolynne Gordon

Gwendolyn Mary Deed Bayliss (1907-1973) My lovely smiling aunt was born in Newcastle (NSW) and died in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. She was by far the best embroiderer in the family, and her French knots are superb.

I have made this patch in honour of my maternal grandmother, Margaret Annie Cook, known as Peg. Born in 1912 in Adelaide she married a farmer and went to live on a property outside Keith in the south east of SA. Peg was a very capable manager of the homestead – a keen needlewoman, cook, flower arranger, charity worker etc. I was the eldest of nine grandchildren and Peg taught me lifelong skills of homemaking and needlework. She sewed clothes on her treadle Singer sewing machine and knitted jumpers for me; and encouraged me to embark on endless craft and stitching projects. Rick rack was a favourite embellishment.

Margaret is also the name of my mother and my middle name.

Amanda is resilient, creative and down right hilarious!! She is not afraid of going against the norm, and living her own life. I admire her greatly.

Mrs R was a dear friend of mine. She was a strong and unconventional woman who I always looked up to. She was incredibly intelligent and triumphed in her (male dominated) profession. She was sharp, quick witted, compassionate and kind. She valued quality over quantity and opened my world up to art, music, good food and design. She taught me that sometimes "family" can include people who aren't necessarily related. I miss her so much.

Dot and Flo are my two daughters. They are not women yet but they have already impacted my life so much. They make me want to be the best version of myself and remind me that my job isn't to raise strong young women - I just need to help them to be who they already are. They are hilarious, thoughtful and clever and I can't wait to see the women they become.

Puna is a senior artist and cultural leader at Mimili Maku Arts Centre in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands in South Australia. She is a good Malpa (friend) sharing her knowledge and language and infectious sense of humour. She is an incredible artist and has played a role of mentor and friend to my youngest daughter who lives in the Mimili community.

My mum.

My much loved grandmother, Edna was dear to me. She loved me unconditionally and whole-heartedly and spoilt me rotten in the only way a grandmother can.

Kaz is my mother and my best friend. The person I go to with the smallest things or the big things. She is always there to laugh or to cry. She is my everything. A strong, resilient, caring, kind, compassionate and hilarious woman and mother that I am lucky to call my Kaz.

For me a grandmother's love is extremely special. My Yiayia (grandmother) Crisandh (Hrisanthy)was the most beautiful women inside and out. Yiayia lived with us and brought up my brother and I, she was our second mother.  We were showered with love. I remember the love that poured out of her crystal blue eyes and how it was filled with warmth that wrapped around you like a shield.  Yiayia was incredibly kind, strong, loving and adored by everyone who knew her.  We were all treated equally, a feminist who didn’t even know there was such a word, let alone what it meant. Yiayia passed away in 2006 and I still miss her dearly.

There are not enough adjectives to describe how amazing she was. My daughter is named after her.

I am who I am today because I was loved unconditionally by her. I hope I will be half the Yiayia she was. She passed away in 2006 and I miss her dearly.

The woman who has meaning in my life is Zylla. Zylla is of my dearest friends. She is warm, kind, open hearted, funny, naughty, loud, wise and a soulful first generation Albanian, Muslim woman. Her life has been so challenging at times. She is strong but also soft and feels deeply. She is always there for others. Her kindness goes before her like a vibrant sparkle (on silk satin).I don't know of anyone who does not feel blessed to have met her.

‘Loyola’ is the name of my marvellous mother, who died age 87 in January 2024. Loy was a dreamer with a big heart who loved deeply and encouraged curiosity and creativity in my sister and I. If far away, out of arms reach- mum would always say “Consider yourself hugged!”

My grandmother who gave me unconditional love

My Mum

For my mum, who is everything and gave me everything

Netty (Annette) Blair is an exceptional glass artist that has shaped, guided and supported me personally and professionally. From the weekly hustle and bustle of the hotshop in Canberra to international glass escapades, Netty does it all with flair. A total rock and rockstar woman in my world.

My mother Kamilla Anna Vitkovský (nee Philipp, in 1921) migrated to Australia from Czechoslovakia with my father Jan (John) Vitkovsky and two brothers, Jan (John) Vitkovský and JIri (George) Vítkovský to escape the communist regime after WWII.

Previously to coming to Australia, they lived in difficult circumstances in a displaced person's camp in Germany for 2 years after having all their possessions stolen from them by the Czech communist regime.

My Czech father who was a civil engineer, botanist and forester, was discriminated against, jailed for 3 months and called 'Enemy of the State' for being married to a 'German' woman and for his dissent against the Czech communist regime. (My mother was deemed German, though she was 4th generation German stock from a town called Jagendorf (now called Krnov) in Sudetenland in northern Czechoslovakia). My father’s qualifications were only recognised in Australia the 1970s.

After arriving in Australia via an assisted passage sponsored by the Australian government, my parents had to work hard and in lived in poverty on a dairy farm, and then a rose farm for two years to repay the government.

I was born in 1952 in Melbourne, and then my family went to live in South Australia where they forged a good life, though lived through many hardships.

My mother a qualified accountant (unusual in those times) and was the rock of our family, a wonderful, strong, thoughtful, patient, kind and intelligent woman who always put her family first. She was a role model for me in many ways.
Kamilla passed away in 2017 at the age of 96!

Diana Jaquillard (nee Vitkovský).

Amelia was my first, and only, cousin. In 2015, she passed away at the age of 26. Amelia was an artist who loved her life and her children. She was a writer and photographer, documenting her observations and view of her life with talent and beauty as it was still only beginning. She left behind two beautiful young children, who are now being raised by my wonderful mother. Amelia lost her own mother at a young age under tragic circumstances. Amelia has been gone to us for nearly a decade, but her passing has never, ever been reconciled in the hearts and minds of those who love her. Every day I wish Amelia was still here, and every day I am proud of who she was and what she would have achieved had she been given the chance to live. This patch is to celebrate her life and the love of her that will never fade. We all love you, Amelia.