Why make 1000 or 2000 reusable Boomerang Bags when you can aim for Bundaberg's postcode?
This is the sentiment of 71-year-old Pam Twyford as she nears her goal of sewing 4670 reusable bags for local organisation Boomerang Bags Bundaberg.
Pam learnt to sew as a small child more than 60 years ago; a time when sewing machines were run with a push peddle and it was considered normal to make your own doll's clothes rather than popping along to the nearest K-Mart.
Decades later and the grandmother-of-seven sews every day because she wants to rather than because she needs to.
“I’m retired, not tired,” Pam laughed.
“At first I thought I’d make 1000 bags, than 2000, but now I’ve almost reached our postcode and I definitely won’t stop after that either.”
Proud of her bag achievements
“I don’t like to sew rubbish, everything I make has to be from good material,” Pam said.
“I don’t enjoy sewing unless it’s good quality – every bag I make I try to make it better than the last, I guess that’s like everything in life.”
Pam said there was almost 1000 Boomerbang Bag communities in the world and she was pleased to be part of the local group.
“I sell my bags and in return buy cotton or give money to charity,” she said.
“Last year I was able to sell $1000 worth.
“I find if you give someone a bag for free they don’t cherish it like they do if they have purchased it.”
The bags are sold for $2 and $5 each depending on the design and material used.
Boomerang Bags needs help from the community
Boomerang Bags Bundaberg are always looking for more people to join the group, and you don’t have to know how to sew to help out.
“We are always looking for cutters, people who can come and help cut the material to size, I help one lady with arthritis by cutting her material, it’s actually time consuming doing this and it would be appreciated,” Pam said.
“We’re also in desperate need for sewers, anyone with an interest or some spare time is welcome.”
But it’s not just the man power needed to make sure the little group succeeds.
“Businesses can donate material to us, just like the Friendlies Hospital that gave us their old curtains,” Pam said.
“The curtains make lovely bags as it is good quality material.”
Fellow Boomerang Bags Bundaberg founder Carmen McEneany said Pam was an amazing, generous woman.
“Pam is a quiet achiever, she is just such an asset to our community,” Carmen said.
Carmen said Pam had just finished making 100 bags for Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers and they took 50 along to parliament house this week.
Want to join the sewing bee?
A Boomerang Bags Bundaberg sewing bee will be held on July 20 at the Bundaberg Christian College and everyone is welcome to attend.
“It’s the younger generation who won’t use single-use bags like we did,” Pam said.
“So it would be great if the young ones want to join in.
“We can even make trendy bags out of jeans, some so beautiful you don’t need to take your handbag places if you have one.”
To find out more about Boomerang Bags Bundaberg click here.
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