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Community

11 August, 2023

Special memories for special people

LOSING a loved one is heart-breaking and being able to hold on to special keepsakes for years to come can be priceless.

By Staff Writer

Working hard to ensure memory boxes reach those who need them most are, from left, Colleen Horner, Ros Singleton Bell, Ann Boyle, Robyn Angarano, Phil Pettingill, Sandra Mugavin and Hilton Boyle.
Working hard to ensure memory boxes reach those who need them most are, from left, Colleen Horner, Ros Singleton Bell, Ann Boyle, Robyn Angarano, Phil Pettingill, Sandra Mugavin and Hilton Boyle.

A very special collaboration between two local groups, and a handful of talented painters, is enabling grieving families and individuals the opportunity to do just that. 

‘Forget Me Not’, or ‘memory boxes,’ hold very special items that will be loved and treasured for years to come. 

The boxes are carefully made by members of the Warrnambool Men’s Shed, funded and distributed by the Kiwanis Club of Warrnambool and painted by a small handful of very talented local women who pour their hearts into every brush stroke.

“We currently have about half a dozen painters working on the boxes,” said project instigator and former art teacher, Ros Singleton. 

“The idea (for the boxes) came about while I was living in Adelaide a few years ago; there was a group of people who used to meet at the children’s hospital over there and they made memory boxes for families of stillborn babies. 

“When we returned to Warrnambool, I spoke with some midwifery staff and they said fortunately there wasn’t a real call for that here but there was for families who had lost older babies or children, and for children who had lost parents.”

And that’s where a collaboration began with Ros and her painting friends, the Kiwanis Club and the local men’s shed. 

“We currently have about 80 members meeting three times a week and so far we’ve made about 20 boxes and are now working on another 10 or so,” men’s shed president Phil Pettingill said.

“The boxes are very special keepsakes so we take a great deal of care when making them to ensure they are sturdy and will be long-lasting. We’re all very proud to be involved with this project.” 

Sandra Mugavin from the Kiwanis Club of Warrnambool said raising money for the boxes has become a very special project for members.

“These boxes will be available to people not just in Warrnambool but from all over the south west,” she said. 

“Anyone who knows of someone who would benefit from one of these, or who would love one themselves to keep treasured momentos safe can call me on 0407 988 292.

“The craftsmanship and the painting of these boxes is just amazing; they really are very special and will no doubt be very much appreciated by the recipients. We (the Kiwanis club) are honoured to be a part of this project.”

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