If you’ve wandered through the streets of Moree recently, you may have noticed something a little unusual about the trees.
No, the trees aren’t just donning their winter woollies in preparation for the upcoming cold. It’s the 2023 Moree Yarn Bombing Project and it’s set to bring colour to the town for the rest of the year.
The project is being spearheaded by Julia Minors, the Arts Education Coordinator for Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM). Ms Minors said she was inspired to start the project after she herself learnt to crochet during one of the COVID lockdowns.
“I found the hobby so relaxing and enjoyable, all I wanted to do was share it with as many people as possible,” she says.
From here a plan was drafted and the Yarn Bomb Project was born. The first tree was bombed during the #mymoree Street Festival in March 2022.
“The pilot tree demonstrated the durability of yarn bombing and through community feedback, we saw positive impacts on Moree’s tourism,” says Ms Minors.
So, what exactly is Yarn Bombing? According to the BAMM website Yarn Bombing is “the process of wrapping trees in brightly coloured crochet and knitted scarves or ‘bombs’”.
Don’t be fooled into thinking the project is something only artists can be involved in either. This is something for the whole community.
Moree’s now famous “graffiti grannies” have been the talk of social media in the region as they move throughout the town wrapping the trees with pre-crocheted or knitted creations.
As the project becomes more recognised across the region, more people are wanting to be a part of the action. The weekly group now has 30 members and there are 300 members on the project’s Facebook page.
When asked what the average yarn bombing participant looks like, Ms Minors says that you shouldn’t be fooled by the graffiti granny monicker. “The project doesn’t just reach one demographic” she comments, “we have had a range of young people across the shire who have signed up to learn to knit and crochet”.
In fact, the most recent members to join the group were some very keen 6–10-year-olds who created pom-poms, finger and French knitting to hang from Pallamallawa’s first yarn-bombed tree.
The plan for the rest of the year is to simply brighten as many parks and streets as possible across the Moree Shire area. Yarn bombs are being made possible both via funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and generous donations from individuals and community groups such as the Rotary Club of Moree.
For those wishing to join as part of the group, a weekly Yarn Bombers Group is being held at the BAMM Studio from 9:30 am – 10:30 am on Mondays. There is free morning tea provided and all levels of experience are welcome to join.
Ms Minors encourages all members of the community to drop in, saying “The best part of the project is seeing a wide range of community members come together and work towards a shared goal…it never ceases to amaze me how wonderfully proactive the Moree Community is.”
If that time doesn’t suit you, you’re also invited to create your own group, or crochet or knit in your free time, with extensive instructions on how to yarn bomb and information about the project available on the BAMM website.
At this stage, the project is scheduled to finish in November, so there is still plenty of time to get involved. BAMM will host the final event of the project, with live music, catering and a yarn bomb gallery all planned.
Other planned activities will also coincide with the conclusion of the project and Ms Minors recommends keeping an eye on both the BAMM and Yarn Bomb Project Facebook pages for more information.
For any inquiries on the project or how to join in, contact BAMM directly at 6757 3320.
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