What is Good Omen Goodeze ACT Inc?
Good Omen Goodeze Inc (affectionately known as GOG) began life as a Canberra based community needle-craft group providing personalised hand crafted comfort ‘Goodies’, for patients and their loved ones in need of comfort or warmth in the Canberra Hospital, Calvary Hospital, Walk-in-Centres and the ACT Ambulance Service. We also support hospitals and charities throughout the Canberra region.
In February 2019 we piloted a Knitting for Mindfulness Program within The Canberra Hospital and in late 2019 it was announced that our program would roll out throughout the Canberra Hospital as well as the University of Canberra Hospital. Unfortunately due to the Covid19 Pandemic, this was put on hold. In September 2020 GOG applied for and won a ‘Covid19 Mental Health Innovations Grant’ which gave us the opportunity to provide a similar wellness program to the wider Canberra Community.
GOG facilitates free knitting and crocheting workshops for wellness throughout the Canberra community partnering with schools, universities, community groups and the Canberra Health Services. GOG’s workshops focus on building craft skills as well as self-care, mental health, and wellness. We have over 150 enthusiastic craft makers knit or crochet comfort goods for GOG throughout the year. Activities concentrate on community workshops which encourage mindfulness, relaxation and social connection through knitting and crochet.
We currently hold workshops at ANU, Majura Hall Dickson, Margaret Hendry Primary School in Taylor, Evatt Primary School and The Link in Ginninderry. To find out more, check out our Facebook Page, Instagram or email us at admin@goodomengoodeze.org.au
In November 2020 Good Omen Goodeze became an incorporated association within the ACT. A list of our current committee members can be found here.
How did GOG get started?
Our Executive Officer and Founder, Mary Liondi-Barlow knitted a beanie for a loved one who was undergoing chemotherapy. She loved knitting, being creative and found joy not only in making, but in gifting these to other family members and then friends. After a couple of months, she decided to knit for charity and through her friend Kath, a very special ICU nurse, she began gifting these to the Canberra Hospital. She heard how much comfort the beanies brought to the patients and and their family members, which inspired her to keep knitting and crocheting. It wasn’t long before friends and other community members became involved, and voila! Good Omen Goodeze was born! Currently our online membership has grown to in excess of 380 members!
What type of things do you make?
We make hand crafted comfort goods using donated materials. Most of our goods are knitted, crocheted or sewn by people that kindly donate their time, skills and resources to help others. We make lap rugs, beanies, scarves, slippers, small quilts and many other comfort items. We prefer our completed lap rugs to be at least 1m x 1.2m and up to around 1.5m x 1.5m.
