Craft & Quilt Fair

Under Flynn's Wings

Celebrating eighty years of the Royal Flying Doctor Service at The Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair
West Australian artist and quilter Jocelyne Leath wins prestigious Royal Flying Doctor Service National Quilting Competition.

Australia's No. 1 craft event is back in Sydney from June 11 - June 15 at the Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. This year, a very special exhibition of quilts, Under Flynn's Wings, will be on display to mark the eightieth anniversary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The Under Flynn's Wings competition was coordinated by the Victorian Quilters Inc to honour the eightieth anniversary of the service and commemorate the story through a stitch in time. Quilters were asked to design a piece that depicted the work and/or environment of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

From fifty superb entrants, the winning quilt was announced recently by National Chairman of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Mr Tim Fischer, as Jocelyne Leath's "Beyond the Dream - The Impossible Dream."

Jocelyne's extraordinary quilt, pictured below, took two years to create - it is hand pieced, machine embroidered and quilted. The centre of the quilt depicts the Reverend John Flynn in a map of Australia and rays of light and hope - also a symbol of the RFDS reaching out. The centre panel includes scenes from national parks from every Australian state and territory.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Board member and competition organiser Denise Reynolds said, "The exhibition exceeded all my expectations in representing what the Royal Flying Doctor Service means to Australia. The Quiltmakers have depicted the history, environment, operations and hope that the Royal Flying Doctor Service gives to all who work, live and travel in rural and remote Australia. They are all works of art."

The Royal Flying Doctor Service was established in 1928 by the late Reverend John Flynn to bring health care and medical emergency services to those living, working and travelling in remote areas of Australia. Through a combination of medicine, aviation and radio - the dream of one man came to fruition. Today, the service covers 7.15 million sq km, an area roughly the size of Western Europe and incorporates 82 doctors, 120 nurses, 135 pilots and 20 bases throughout Australia.

The Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair is Australia's largest craft event and celebrates fifteen years this June. Catering for all things craft, the fair incorporates scrapbooking, beading, crochet, embroidery, painting and many more creative avenues for craft enthusiasts. Fair goers will be inspired by daily workshops and classes and displays of craftwork whilst also having the chance to stock up on supplies at Australia's biggest craft shop.

Where & When: Sydney Exhibition & Convention Centre
DARLING HARBOUR
June 11-15, 2008
Open: 9.00am - 5.00pm daily
Tickets: Tickets available at the door or online at
http://www.craftfair.com.au/sydney08.php

Groups: Pre-booked tickets are available for groups of a minimum of 10 people at a discounted rate. To arrange a group call (02) 9452 7575.
Information: Visit http://www.craftfair.com.au/sydney08.phpor call 02 9452 7575.