Country Forum

Events & Activities

Country Forum is a bi-annual get together, in Adelaide, of delegates from our rural member groups hosted by SA Quilters. It is a day of fun, friendship, information, shops, show and tell, lucky draws and more. The day has a theme with guest speakers to complement the theme. The alternate year an SA Quilters affiliated country group hosts a similar day called Rural Roundup.

Country Forum - Saturday, 28^th October 2023

NEW VENUE: Church of the Trinity, 318 Goodwood Road, CLARENCE PARK

Guest presenters to inspire you, demonstrations, lucky draw.

Open to all Country Group delegates.

Country Forum - Saturday, 30^th October 2021
Theme: Unmasking the Future

A huge thank you to Jane and Cindy for organising and hosting an informative and interesting Country Forum on behalf of SA Quilters. Guest speakers, demonstrations and SA Quilters member shops were there to entertain, inform and cater to everyone. It was a wonderful opportunity to do some retail therapy and catch up with friends.

Below are a few photos taken on the day.

Helpers left to right: Cindy and Jane; Michael and Christine; Peg and Gaylene. And our congratulations to Rhonda, the winner of the Country Forum raffle.

Demonstrators left to right: Jill, Candy, Chris, Margaret

And thanks to our member shops: Brenda and Tracey from Widebacks and Christina from Melann's

And we asked Sonia Holton from Gawler Quilting Circle to give us her impressions of the 2021 Country Forum event. Here is what she had to say:

After what had been a pretty ordinary week it was great to be able to attend the Quilters Guild of SA Country Forum that was held at the Adelaide West Uniting Church celebrating the theme “Unmasking the future”

From the moment I arrived at 9am along with at least 16 other members of our group I was welcomed with smiling faces and some friendly banter. All attendees received a durable cotton duck calico coloured bag brandishing the Guild Logo with goodies and the days program along with a beautifully made quilted pouch/ bag.

After collecting our goodie bag and name badge we were thirsty for a hot cuppa and were not disappointed with the beautiful morning tea that was presented in cute little boxes - so many choices in this little box it was hard to know what to eat first - compliments to the kitchen staff for this fab morning tea! Naturally after morning tea there was a bit of time to check out the shops in attendance; Widebacks with Brenda, Tracey and Rachelle and Melanns Sewing Centre with the enthusiastic Christina - whom I believe is the future of sewing in SA. It is such a delight to see such a young person so passionate about sewing!

Retail therapy is always so good for the soul and the mind, if only I could sew and create as quickly as I can shop. Oh well, I am always happy to sit and look at my purchases for a while before using them.

At 10am we were asked to take our seats ready for the first part of the presentations, we were welcomed by Cindy and Jane who were the organisers of this event. The Forum was then officially opened by Guild President Heather Ford followed by a roving microphone and introductions from the various groups in attendance. The excitement continued with the first of the lucky draws. Several members of our group were lucky to receive a prize in this draw, little did we know that all attendees were going to be collecting a lucky prize sometime throughout the day. Following this excitement, the IT talk began. This was a great introduction to many about the use of social media platforms and other technologies that bring us together despite the physical distance between us during Covid times. The guest speaker for the day was Suzanne Gummow, I particularly loved the YouTube video that Suzanne shared of the Dolce and Gabbana Runway fashion show that was full of patchwork inspired clothing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVjAtPiW3MQ

Show and tell was a plethora of beautiful quilts, some large, some small but all beautiful, there are some extremely talented people with whom we share our passion. This is often great inspiration for a new project or the encouragement to complete a project that you may have started but lost your way to finish. It was time to eat again, lunch was an assortment of sandwiches and wraps which were delicious, along with bottomless tea or coffee. During this break there were demonstrations from various guild members, more shopping opportunities along with the chance to chat with people you know or would like to know.

The second part of the day was a chance to ask questions and get answers, more show and tell and another round of lucky draws. Every player won a prize! My heartfelt thanks to this amazing group of people who managed to host Country Forum. I know that it takes many hours and a great deal of team work to make it happen.

Of course, I could not finish this piece without mentioning the perfect end to the afternoon, scones with jam and cream and another cuppa! Just the sustenance needed to make the journey home. Thank you once again…

Sonia Holton - Attendee (Gawler Quilting Circle)

Country Forum 2019

Theme: Preserving the Past - exploring the past, learning how to cherish the old, and preserving quilting traditions in the 21st century.

Guest Speakers were: Curator, Ayres House - Dancing Dollies Quilt; Mary Jose - Textile Preservation; Chris O'Brien - Quilting Vintage Linen; Anne Marie Serrano - The Birmingham Quilt Show; Heather Ford - Provenance

Shops: Miss Marple's Craft Shoppe; Barossa Patchwork with Running Hare Designs

Thanks to Otto & Penny's Sewing Centre for donating a 215 Bernina sewing machine won by Julie Gasson from Tamworth. Runner-up prize was won by Irene Lovell. Raffle proceeds were presented to Angel Flight at the April 2019 Guild Meeting.

Patron Mrs Lan Le with Convenor Anne Marie & President Chris

Members ready for the afternoon session

****

Country Forum 2017

4 March, Theme: Investigate, Speakers: Rachelle Denneny, Heather Ford, Lara Motta, Jill Radcliff. Catering: Orange Tree Quilters. Shops: Pennylane Patchwork & Quilters Quarters. Thanks to everyone who assisted with demonstrations in the afternoon & all who attended.

Orroroo Quilters at Country Forum 2017

Country Forum 2015

'Celebration' was the theme for this years' Country Forum. Held at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Saturday, March 14th. Nearly 200 Country members celebrated the Guild's 30th Birthday, our 2014 National Award winners, Michele Hill and Faye Packham and the ladies of Orroroo winning their third 'Pear' award. Our grateful thanks to Judy Benda, Group Liaison executive member for coordinating the day and to everyone who worked so hard to make the day a great success.

Faye Hitch and friends from the Orroroo Quilters brought along their third Glass Pear Award to show off at Country Forum. Faye explained that the South Australian Regional Awards are held annually to showcase and celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made significant contributions to regional South Australia. Having won for the third time, the group is now in the SA Regional Awards Hall of Fame. Well done ladies, here's to number four.

Country Forum 2013 was held at Fullarton Park on Saturday March 16th 9.30 - 4.30pm

Theme: Tantalising Textiles

Country Forum 2011 was held at Fullarton Community Centre, Unley Rd on Saturday 12th March 2011 with 240 participants enjoying the theme 'Out of the Blue!' - Embelishing your quilts.

The committee:

Country Forum 2009 - The theme was 'M & M's' (Mediums and Make-overs) and offered four demonstrations to change fabric by printing, painting, colouring etc. With full catering, two onsite shops, a visit from the red fairy, guest speaker Cathy Brown and a wonderful display of show and tell, we all enjoyed ourselves very much.

The committee:

Thanks for travelling from all over to make our day a success.