20 Years, 1,500 Blankets, Countless Warm Hearts

The year 2006 gave us plenty of memorable moments, from the Beaconsfield mine rescue and the passing of Steve Irwin to the launch of Twitter, the Nintendo Wii, and the very first video uploaded to YouTube.

But right here at St Patrick’s College, a much quieter event took place that would go on to make a truly extraordinary difference.
This year, we proudly celebrate the 20th anniversary of our St Pat’s Knitting Group

A Humble Beginning

Back in 2006, College Religious Education Coordinator Mrs Leonie Pearce founded the Knitting Group with a simple mission: to make blankets for the St Vincent de Paul Society. She invited staff to lend a hand, and as a young teacher, I jumped at the chance to help. As they say, the rest is history!

Over the past two decades, our mission hasn’t wavered. We have continued to craft and donate handmade blankets to St Vincent de Paul for vulnerable members of our Macarthur community. To date, we estimate our group has crafted around 1,500 blankets.
Each blanket carries a special tag: “Handmade with love by the St Patrick’s Knitting Group.”

These creations have brought comfort to women fleeing domestic violence, individuals experiencing homelessness, aged care residents, and refugees. Vinnies volunteers frequently remind us that these blankets do far more than offer physical warmth—they let people know that someone cared enough to make something specifically for them. Every single stitch is a living example of the Parable of the Good Samaritan in action.

A Growing Legacy Across Generations

Over 20 years, hundreds of students have generously given up their weekly lunchtimes to knit squares. The impact of this group spans generations, in fact, I am especially proud that Mrs Chanlina Lam, once a dedicated student member, has returned to St Pat’s as a teacher, making her the first former Knitting Group student to join us on staff!

The true heart and soul of the group, however, has always been our dedicated “Knitting Ladies”, past staff members who have generously volunteered their time and talents for two decades. Their unwavering commitment is the foundation of our success.

We particularly acknowledge Maureen McCann, Lorraine St John, Maureen O’Brien, Janine McLeod, Shirley Mills, and the late Maxine Evans, who have championed the group since its earliest days. They truly embody what it means to be part of a Benedictine community.

With Gratitude

An undertaking like this relies on a vibrant community of support. We extend our deepest thanks to the many individuals who have contributed their time and hands over the years:

Charles Lincoln, Jeff Wong, Louise Ibbett, the late Anne Kearney, the late Moya Barnes, Pam Poole, Jan Vacchini, Glenda Gaskell, Cathy Johnson, Carolyn Whitworth, Del Costa, Sue Ollis, Jenny Perkins, Jean Mills, Diane O’Brien, Carol Best, Nola Cornhill, Betty Small, Marian Martin, Evelyn Loh, Rosemary Graham, Loretta Clark, Lynn Carlin, Jennifer Clark, Beverley Ranyard, Margaret Morrison, Jackie Irwin, Sarah Caouette, Natalie Newman, Emily Zugajev, Kay Cornett, Judith Andrews, the late Leonie Corlett, Liz Hayes, Marguerite Pulham, Lucette Zapirain, Jo Tanginoa, Margaret Cutler, and the many other volunteers whose generosity keeps our group thriving.

Finally, we express our gratitude to the College Principals who have backed our mission from the beginning: John Greene, Sue Lennox, and our current Principal, Mary Leask – thank you, Mary, for your continuing support and for all your own knitting.

Here’s to 20 years of warmth, community, and making a difference – one square at a time!