ANZ Knitters

This is a copy (minus some of the details of the dates and names of knitters etc) from a posting on ANZ's staff page this week:

Q: What's the latest rage at ANZ?
A: Knitting!

During June and July 250 staff from across the Bank dug out needles and yarn to take part in the Technology sponsored knitting workshops to help raise money for Victoria’s 73rd Winter Blanket Appeal. Craft personality Tonia Todman launched our first workshop at 55 Collins St.
Knitting prowess was not a prerequisite. Free workshops were held to help those who were either out of practice or who had never had the chance to learn this relaxing and creative art form. In addition to learning new stitches and having a good yarn, we produced more than 600 simple warm items, scarves, beanies, shawls, booties and toys and 100's of small squares that were joined together to make throw rugs.

Proceeds from the sale of the knitted garments from ANZ's Knitting Workshops, and donations from “Wear your Winter Woollies to Work Day”, raised over $7,500 for the appeal. The ANZ Group Giving matched amount of $15,000 exceeded last year’s donation of $11,000. Great fun, new connections and good conversations were a key aspect of the workshops. Many have requested that the workshops continue, a true indication of their success.