The Narooma bag ladies had a bit of a celebration at the Narooma Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday.
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The new operators of the centre, the Montague Arts and Crafts and Society, now stock the shopping bags that the ladies make out newspapers.
The bags save resources, cut down on plastic pollution and are totally biodegradable made out of only old Narooma News and other local papers and natural string.
The ladies who go under the name of “Narooma has it in the Bag” have made hundreds of bags over the last four years with all proceeds going to the Asha Foundation.
The Asha Foundation is a not-for-profit, non-political and non-religious Australian charity dedicated to helping Nepalese children climb out of poverty and into a life of sustainable human dignity. Find out more at www.ashafoundation.org.au
Asha Foundation president Pauline Gleeson from Moruya and fellow foundation member Pat Reid were there on Wednesday to help celebrate.
Mrs Gleeson said she incredibly grateful for the ongoing donations from the bag ladies that were now approaching $3000.
“It’s gone toward the renovation of a school just outside of Kathmandu and our education projects providing materials such as backpacks, books and pen,” she said. “The bag ladies’ funds have provided backpacks for over 100 children.”
Montague Arts and Crafts Society president Irene Berry said the recycled newspaper bags made by the ladies were a great fit with the new area of arts and crafts at the centre.
There are eight ladies involved and their recycled newspaper bags are now stocked in shops from Milton to Merimbula.
The ladies thanked Batemans Bay Kmart that had come on board supplying glue sticks and string for the bag making process.
Bag lady and group founder Lorraine Shmaman said the idea came from a similar project in India where shopping bags made out of recycled material were sold to raise funds for street kids.
“We wanted our own cause and Nepal and the work done by the Asha Foundation worked well for us,” she said.
It is hoped that the bag ladies and their bags can be involved in the craft and local produce expo that MACS is now organising for the October long weekend, following news that the Narooma Oyster Festival is not happening this year.
A MACS committee has now come up with the name “Creative Coastal Community Expo” and stay tuned for more news on that event.
The bag ladies meanwhile meet 9am every Wednesday at the St. Paul’s Church hall on Tilba Street, Narooma and new members are always welcome. Call Lorraine on 0410 289 052 to get involved.