Over years of running The Craft Nest Project as a small business, Roz Holt dreamt of making a greater impact by connecting the community through craft.
In 2014, through an article about women leading the call for sustainability, Roz met Rebecca Cason who was doing a similar thing teaching craft to women.
A business manager by day, Rebecca volunteered to run the Brisbane branch of Brown Owls, a craft collective concept started in Melbourne in 2007. It was based on building a craft gang – a group of 2 or more people who craft together, make mistakes, have fun and share skills.
Both Rebecca and Roz shared philosophies about intergenerational connection, skill sharing and the power of craft to connect a community. They recognised their synergies and understood that if they came together they’d be a stronger force.
Rebecca says, “Joining forces with Roz provided an opportunity to further explore how bringing women together with creativity reduces social isolation in our communities. Grass roots initiatives like The Nest are essential to creating new ways of working together for long-lasting change”.
They shared a path but they needed a home
As Roz said in an interview at the time:
“Every community needs a nest, a home or nurturing space where women can gather and connect – with other women and their young ones”.
Rebecca had previously experience setting up BrisStyle, a not-for-profit. However they both embarked on 6 months of research and networking to achieve their dream. In one pitch it was summarised as follows:
The Nest – a non-profit community hub for women and children that connects everyday people through sustainable art and craft. We are the female pilot version of the successful organisation – THE MENS SHED
Partnership commemorated at a community event
In late 2014 The Craft Nest hosted a Community Open Day in the old West End Market to officially announce their partnership. In their search they’d found an ally in Everton Park MP, Tim Mander.
As a father of 3 daughters, passionate about mental health issues, he understood the vision of needing a place where women could ‘do life together’. In a video of the day Tim explained:
“I’ve realised that it’s not all about me generating ideas. It’s about finding people in the community who are passionate about something and who have the get-up-and-go to do things. I need to help them and support them to facilitate the process”.
With Tim’s support, Rebecca and Roz founded The Nest Community. It was incorporated as an association on15 December 2014 with core values of sustainability, hand making and skill sharing.
They had 12 founding members ranging in age from 12 to 80.
Fundraising commenced to secure a home
By March 2015, they were successful in securing funding to cover 12 months of rent and overheads. This allowed them to take up residence in a heritage-listed home, 720 South Pine Rd Everton Park to lay the foundations of The Nest Community.
