HERVEY Bay is in full festive spirit with the addition of colourful knitted and crocheted decorations on the trees in Bill Fraser Park in Torquay, and on Old Maryborough Road between the Library and the Hervey Bay Regional Art Gallery.

The women who brighten up the streetscape decorating the palms, trees and bollards for Christmas are members of the Hervey Bay Yarnbombers (formally Graffiti Grannies).

They have been decorating the Bay for over 10 years.

The group’s organiser, Robyn Golby, said this type of work is called yarn bombing and is done throughout Australia and worldwide. 

Last year the Yarnbombers were invited by the Torquay Progress Association to decorate the trees in Torquay for the first time. They didn’t have enough time to make new decorations so they used old ones but from the favorable comments they received from passersby, they think they did pretty well. 

So, this year the Yarnbombers have been hard at work making new decorations for Torquay. 

Each woollen creation takes approximately 40 hours of meticulous work and endures for about three years, battling the elements.

Therefore, the group engage in a perpetual cycle of knitting and crocheting. Worn but still viable decorations find a second life as they are washed and donated to the local animal shelter.

The group love the number of people who stop to talk to them while they are putting up the decorations. 

“It’s heartwarming to hear so many people say that they always come and take photos or bring Mum down to see them,” said Robyn.

When they’re working on Old Maryborough Rd people are always driving past, slowing down and waving.

Hervey Bay Yarnbombers are part of Fraser Coast Artslink and meet in the Artslink Hall on Bideford St (corner of Colyton St) Torquay on the first Saturday of the month (except January) between 8.30am and 11.30am.

The Yarnbombers are always looking for new members with different ideas, so if you would like to join them you can contact Robyn on 0402 593 886 or email robron777@ gmail.com.