Maitland Patchwork Quilters (MPQ) was awarded the City of Maitland’s Medal in 2026 in recognition of their support for people experiencing homelessness.
The volunteers commit their time and skills to making and distributing warm quilts to disadvantaged people. The Council says, “This brings comfort, hope and joy and is truly making a difference in people’s lives.”
President of Maitland Patchwork Quilters, Kathy Labour, explains how the programme started. “In 2023, we set up a Community Quilts programme to make quilts and bags to donate to local groups like nursing homes, women’s shelters, hospitals and other groups. We also make them for disaster relief, like the Taree floods.”
One of the supported groups, GAPS (grandparents as parents), nominated MPQ for a Council Australia Day Award for their efforts. “On Australia Day 2026, MPQ won the Maitland Medal for our volunteer and support work,” Kathy says. “We are proud of the efforts of all our members. Just to be nominated was a thrill, but to win the Award was amazing!”
Left to right: Lynne Banwell, Leslie Tobin, Kathy Labour & Joyce Burgess
Kathy accepted the Award on behalf of MPQ. Also present at the ceremony were Leslie Tobin, the group’s co-ordinator for the Community Quilts Program, CQP committee member Joyce Burgess & past president Lynne Banwell.
We congratulate MPQ for recognition of such a worthy community project!
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