Aunt Emily’s Craft Centre is turning 50

NESTLED in the sprawling main street of Bowraville, the committee and members at Aunt Emily’s Craft Centre will celebrate a remarkable 50 years of trade on Friday, 31 October, with a special cake cutting event at approximately 11am.

The building which houses the craft centre, affectionately known as the Pioneer Community Centre, was constructed in 1915.

By 1921 it was owned by the Grace family who established an enterprise consisting of a tea room, drapery and dressmaking service, and a carrier business.

By 1945 Emily and Victor Grace were operating the tea-room, with (Aunt) Emily running the drapery and haberdashery department.

Thirty years later, in 1975, the estate of the Grace family gifted the building and land to the Bowraville community under the management of the Nambucca Shire council and a Committee of Management.

Notably, the store location was featured in the 1987 film ‘The Umbrella Woman’, starring Bryan Brown, Rachel Ward, Sam Neill and Steven Vidler.

An integral asset to the Community Centre, Aunt Emily’s is open weekdays and Saturday mornings depending on the availability of volunteer staff.

Vice President Yvonne Argent said the craft centre is always on the lookout for new members.

“We are really keen to have new member craftspeople who are willing and able to give some part of the day to being present in the shop,” she said.

“Most of us are over 80 and we need a new cohort of craftspeople to bring their wares and help in the shop.”

The co-operative of crafty creators lovingly produces and retails everything from exquisitely hand-knitted socks and shawls, babies’ knitwear, handmade clothing, accessories, jewellery and unique gifts to homemade pickles, jams and condiments (when in season).

To get involved at Aunt Emily’s, contact Yvonne Argent on 0490 926 917.

By Jen HETHERINGTON