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Owner:
National Wool Museum Collection -
Location:
Geelong, Victoria -
Maker:
Soroptimist International -
Pattern:
Patchwork -
Dimensions:
Height: 1610
Width: 2060
History
The quilt was made by members of seventeen Soroptimist International clubs across Victoria to celebrate the Year 2000. The quilt squares illustrate some of the projects initiated, funded and supported by Victorian Soroptimists as well as illustrations of broader affiliations and responsibilities, including to the UN. Examples include the S.I.A.M. (Soroptimist International Aids Mediation) project by SI Berwick in Northern Thai villages which established industries and health programs for women and girls as viable alternatives to the sex industry. Revegetation of woodlands, wetlands and cleared land by SI Deakin. Donation of toiletries to women's shelters, police lock ups and church emergency centres in the western suburbs of Melbourne by SI Cut Paw Paw.
Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement with a network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries. Advocating for human rights and gender equality, at the heart of Soroptimist International’s advocacy is its work across seven UN Centres, where UN representatives ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard. Memberships work on grassroots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in communities worldwide. It has a flourishing Club in Geelong.
The quilt was displayed from 2001 until 2023 in Soroptimist Headquarters Victoria at 383 Toorak Road, South Yarra (Soroptimist House) since touring the State of Victoria in 2000.
Soroptimist House has been sold with the funds raised to go to furthering the objectives of Soroptimism.
Description
Cream patchwork quilt with 31 squares depicting various scenes and motifs. The Soroptimist logo features in the bottom right corner.
Acknowledgements
National Wool Museum Collection