Friendship quilt worth every stitch

Georgie Gill showcases her ''Friendship Quilt''. 196790_01. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Brendan Rees

Georgie Gill is a wiz at quilting. And her latest creation will be showcased next month in a Victoria wide art show.

Her brightly coloured ‘Friendship Quilt’ represents moments of friendship at her Lifestyle Community Village in Cranbourne East.

Georgie’s fondest moments relate to having cups of tea with friends, walking dogs with other owners, chatting at the letter box and playing cards.

“I just thought about all my friends and the things we do together,” she says.

Held on Wednesday 28 August at the Melbourne Pavilion, the inaugural Simpson Arts Prize will be open to the public and showcases the skills of Lifestyle Communities’ homeowners.

The show brings together the creative talents including fine art, photography, woodwork, ceramics, needlework, paper craft, sculpture, quilting and videography.

The event’s judging panel includes Channel Nine personality Livinia Nixon.

Georgie says she poured hours of her time putting her creation together which she finished within six to seven weeks.

“Normally a quilt can take up to years,” she explained.

“This one I really worked on, from morning to night with just a break.

“It was a lot of effort,” she says.

“It just exemplifies what I do here … how I love this place.”

Finalists will be judged across 10 categories with each winner receiving a cheque for $1,000.