Gorgeous, handmade gifts
Housed in an historic scout hall, Drysdale Community Craft is one of the nicest places you can visit in the rural suburb of Drysdale, sixteen kilometres outside of Geelong.
It's a type of fixed-position market with an enormous collection of trinkets and gifts. There are fine crocheted items, woollen scarves, handmade toys, ceramic pots, quilts, tea-towels, decorations, nursery items, a lucky dip for kids, clever greeting cards, hats, photography, a fabulous contraption to keep the flies off your face and more. All of the products are lovingly handmade by local, craft artisans.
The centre is operated under a cooperative, where Community Craft members look after the store on rotation. Not only does the system assist in supporting them in their hobbies but provides them with a sort of volunteer opportunity as well, where they can contribute goodwill towards others. This is achieved through donations, as they take many of their profits and pass them onto charities.
Beeswax candles, keyrings, hats and more
So far, Drysdale Community Craft has succeeded in providing five-hundred dollars to a village in Burma so that the locals there could build a water pump. They've also put money towards the purchase of a walker for a local girl with Retts syndrome. Another very important charity they support is
The Cottage by the Sea, which provides a seaside escape to Australian children and families in need.
The prices at Drysdale Community Craft are very decent compared to some of the upscale, fashionable craft markets in Melbourne. Much of this has to do with the fact that the people involved in Drysdale Community Crafts are not competing for top dollar but simply enjoy making things. They are working together for a common purpose, rather than against each other for the highest number of sales.
The centre has been in operation since 1982 (almost 30 years) and can offer lay-by and a custom made services, if specific details are given to the craft maker.
Scarves for winter
Drysdale Community Craft also acts as an official information centre for Bellarine tourism. They have all the pamphlets, brochures and travelling maps you'll need to be able to get a round to all of the local attractions and the friendly attendants are always more than happy to chat to you about your plans.
Drysdale Community Craft is a centre that supports some very talented people, who have each achieved a particular mastery of their craft, it gives back to the community and helps to support local residents in their hobby as well.
In a beautiful, old, heritage building
