Celebrating half a century of Craft Corner

Craft Corner held a terrific morning full of celebration as members and the community celebrated 50 years of the shop as well as the official opening of their new location on Thursday, August 8. Craft Corner members are thrilled with their new store located at 235 Clarinda Street with lots of room for arts and crafts of all sizes. Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott, Councillors Marg Applebee and Bill Jayet and Northparkes Mines representative Chloe Allan were all in attendance. The celebration started with Craft Corner President Ann Reginato welcoming everyone to the shop. "A huge welcome to our members past and present who have played an enormous part in keeping our local craft shop operating in Parkes," Ann said. "I would like to thank all ladies and gentlemen who have come to help celebrate 50 years of Craft Corner." Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott prepared a speech which touched on the Craft Corner's history and importance in our town. "We're all here to celebrate 50 years of Craft Corner opening and I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate how much has changed since 1974, a lot of things have changed but some things haven't like our love for crafts, a lot of things never go out of style," Mayor Westcott said. "Picture this, it's 1974 the world is grooving to ABBA's Waterloo, disco fever is sweeping the globe, Richard Nixon just got the sack, someone invented that stupid Rubix Cube, in the midst of this something remarkable happened and it grew right here in Parkes, Craft Corner made its debut nestled within Parkes Auto Museum on the corner of Bogan and Dalton Street. "So in a brilliant display of community spirit, about 30 Parkes men and women got together to put all their talents and their materials to create a permanent showcase of art, pottery and copper wear amongst many other things. "Grand opening took place on Friday night. There would have been more than 300 people who attended. The special exhibition was open all day the following Saturday, Sunday and Monday giving everyone an ample opportunity to indulge in some of the best of local craftsmanship, and if you missed it no worries you had the following weeks afternoon hours to catch up. "Craft Corner's unique arrangement meant that members just didn't display their creations; they actively helped out to staff the museum making sure the doors were open seven days a week. It's a perfect example of community collaboration, crafting, car displays and volunteering all rolled into one charming package. "Congratulations Craft Corner on this amazing milestone over the years you have enhanced our appreciation for hand made arts and crafts and really set an example of how creativity and community can drive us all forward. "Here's to Craft Corner, to 1974 and to the enduring spirit of creativity that continues to shine amongst these walls and may the next 50 years be just as inspiring," Mayor Westcott concluded. Mayor Wescott then presented Ann Reginato with a medallion as a keepsake to remember the day Craft Corner celebrated 50 years. Anne Wright, who has been a Craft Corner member for all 50 years, recalled the first years of Craft Corner when local Pottery Class members at the old Tafe College in Bushman Street saw the need for a local craft store. Craft Corner has now been a valuable store within the Parkes community for half a century.