Did you know the Northern Illawarra has a volunteer group based in Thirroul that make sustainable shopping bags with a view to reduce single-use plastic bags in our community? 

Inspired by our neighbours in Kiama, as well as groups around the country, Boomerang Bags Thirroul has been operating for just over a year and, so far, has produced around 500 bags. The volunteers work with donated and recycled fabrics to construct the bags, which otherwise would end up in landfill. 

Boomerang Bags is a grassroots movement that began in Burleigh Heads in Queensland and has grown to over 800 communities around the world. It’s all about making bags, diverting waste, starting conversations, connecting with each other, fostering sustainable behaviour, and having fun!

“It is fantastic to know that we are part of a global community who share concerns for the future of our planet,” says one of the groups’ founders, Michele Eliot. “We began with monthly sewing bees and began to look for a permanent home mid 2018. CareWays Community who run the Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre invited us to be part of their community program.”

 Boomerang Bags Thirroul now run weekly sewing bees every Friday at the Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre. The group accepts donations of clean cloth and fabric, sheets, doona covers, pillowcases – so why not give your pre-loved materials a new home and new life! The group is also looking for volunteers – the more hands, the more bags that can be made and sent out into the community.

Boomerang Bags Thirroul invites anyone who has some spare time to either sew bags at home or join them on Fridays to help make bags. “You don’t need sewing experience, we will teach you!” Michelle says.

BOOMERANG BAGS THIRROUL meet every Friday, 11am – 3.00pm at Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre, Black Diamond Room.

Contact boomerangbagsthirroul@gmail.com for more information.

Instagram: @boomerangbagsthirroul