WoolOn Creative and Fashion Society Inc has formed a new executive committee and is aiming to tackle 2021, after key positions were filled at the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday night. 

Society members gathered in Alexandra to elect the 2021 WoolOn executive committee and discuss plans for the 2021 event scheduled for August.

The new committee members are Mary Hinsen (Chairperson), Jamie Richards (Designer Liaison) and Greer Ferguson. 

The newly elected WoolOn chairperson Mary Hinsen said it was a successful AGM with “all members present offering their support for the new committee and their assistance in working towards a successful 2021 event.”

"It was a very positive AGM, with good discussion and unanimous agreement on the way forward."

Speaking to The Central App, Mary says the committee is now looking for people to fill the roles of Secretary, Financial Liaison and increase the number of committee members.

“The meeting held in Alexandra on Tuesday night was very positive, with a number of members putting up their hands to help. 

“It was wonderful to have members there who are passionate about WoolOn, wool, fashion, and their communities. 

“We held an open discussion forum, with everyone taking part. It really cemented WoolOn as a society with the Central Otago community at its heart, and the outcome is that we are all moving forward together to the 2021 event.”

Three people were voted onto what is now a core committee, with offers of help received from the members present, and others via email. (Continue reading below).

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Several people had expressed interest in the committee but were unable to attend the AGM, so it was agreed to put the word out to a wider audience and confirm the full committee in approximately two weeks time.

“We are very lucky to have Jamie Richards take on the designer liaison role,” Mary says. 

“Jamie is a very experienced and talented designer, with both technical and design expertise honed first in New Zealand and then in top London fashion houses. She is lead designer and director of Margaret Wray in Clyde.

“We are also very lucky to have Greer Ferguson join us. 

“Greer is a student at Cromwell College. She impressed the membership with her ideas for WoolOn's future, including her focus on bringing wool crafts and design to a younger generation, without barriers.

“My career has been in project management, education and international business, and I am currently a writer and photographer.  

“I am also a keen wool-crafter with a passion for wool and the wool industry here in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Mary says the task ahead of the committee is to now boost numbers and make a plan to tackle 2021. 

“The focus for us now is to add more people to the committee and put on an amazing 2021 event,” she says.   

“The event planned for this year needs to have fresh thinking applied. We will activate a COVID-proof plan in tandem with our physical event, so WoolOn 2021 goes ahead regardless of the national, or even global situation at the time.

“This means being involved with WoolOn will be exciting, as we break new ground while keeping true to our roots of wool crafts, fashion and community.

“If you are passionate about wool, wool crafts and fashion, and excited about growing both talent and the future of WoolOn, now is the time to step forward.”

Anyone interested in joining the committee is invited to email Mary at [email protected] by Friday 12 March.

WoolOn 2021 will be held 13 and 14 August. For more information about WoolOn 2021 visit www.woolon.co.nz

Designers and supporters of WoolOn can also get regular updates on WoolOn’s activities on WoolOn’s Facebook page 'WoolOn Creative Fashion Event'.