Dannevirke: Sentiment marks century since WWI

Gwen Fairbrother (left) presents Roly Ellis, president of the Dannevirke and Districts RSA, with a handstitched work to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli. Photo / Christine McKay

The Dannevirke and Districts RSA has been presented with a special commemoration piece to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of World War I.

Gwen Fairbrother, known for her wonderful handcrafted needlework, has spent hours stitching a special sampler that will now hang at the Dannevirke Services and Citizens Club.

"It's magic," said Roly Ellis, president of the Dannevirke RSA. "We're so very grateful to have something so personal and wonderful as this."

Mrs Fairbrother told the Dannevirke News that she felt a real sense of achievement, particularly when she saw her work framed.

"I'm fortunate to have such good eye-sight at my age," the 91-year-old said. "So much of this work is so fine."

An expert in detailed and delicate embroidery, with examples hanging around the walls of her new home at Eileen Mary, Mrs Fairbrother remembers teaching "hundreds" of girls the art of needlework during her 30 years at Dannevirke High School, where she spent 23 years as assistant principal.

From 1954 to 1970, embroidery was part of the high school curriculum and Mrs Fairbrother said it was her mother who had inspired her.

"She instilled in me that the back of work was to be as tidy as the front, and I instilled that in my pupils."

Mr Ellis said he was amazed by the intricacy of Mrs Fairbrother's work. "It's something to be treasured," he said.