Anne Ashley Cooper was absolutely delighted to hear that her shawl, which she entered in The royal Easter Show, received a prize and not only that, it was also placed in the Showcase of Excellence.
Always priding herself on her handicrafts Anne also entered a knitted picture jumper and it received a Highly Commended.
“I’ve been knitting since I was born,” said Anne who was taught by Granny Throsby.
Recently celebrating her 70th birthday, three times, Anne was the last of the Throsby grandchildren to be born at Throsby House. Anne’s mother was a Throsby.
Anne is not just a keen knitter but also likes to try her hand at many other crafts as well.
She does decoupage, folk art, patchwork, “everything that opens and shuts,” said Anne. She enjoys crocheting baby clothes and painting nursery rhymes onto clothing.
Anne left the highlands and spent 16 years in Wingham, near Taree and has been back in the area for the last two years.
She has been a keen exhibitor at local shows and the first time she exhibited was in 1946 at the Moss Vale Show while she was still a student at Bowral High School.
She has also been a steward at the Moss Vale Show and is always keen to exhibit at both Robertson and Moss Vale.
She is a member of Crafts Unlimited which was formed many years ago. While she was away the organisation became incorporated and now a committee decides what organisations they assist.
The non profit organisation used to donate to the Bowral Hospital but now they assist different charities, spreading the benefit to other community based organisations.
It is a volunteer organisation and they are always keen to welcome new members.
The annual joining fee is nine dollars and work for the shop is inspected by three members to ensure that the standard of work is maintained at a high level. Works are accepted on consignment and commission is worked out on a sliding scale depending on the amount of voluntary hours spent in the shop.
The hospital and palliative care have been recent beneficiaries from Crafts Unlimited
As well as her many talents with handicrafts Anne also enjoys dancing, especially ballroom, tap, modern and jazz.
She has performed in and written numerous pantomimes and sketches. She enjoys writing poetry, and performing in plays as well as improving her speech and drama skills.
“Your only here once,” said Anne, “I’ve been trying to learn and do as much as I can.” She has undertaken TAFE courses and is also self taught.
The mother of three adult children and three grandchildren, she has led a very busy life. Her son Shane was in Athens with Normie Rowe for Anzac Day.
She was very grateful that her mother made her take dress making at school as that stood her well when she had her bridal boutiques both on the Highlands and in Taree. Anne provided an excellent Hire Service for wedding gowns , debutante gowns and formal wear. She was able to make and alter whatever was required by her customers.
It also gave her the expertise required to make all her own ballgowns for her ballroom dancing competitions.
When Ginger Meggs was being filmed she has the part as an extra as the postmistress and she also offered to help out with the costumes. Little did she dream that her offer would be taken up and she did get to work in the costumes department for the show for six weeks.
It was very pleasing and encouraging for Anne to receive the prize at the Royal as it lets her know that her work is of a standard that is the best in the state.
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