Sunday April 23 will see the end of an era in Gerringong.

The Village Craft Shop, located in Fern Street at the back of the Gerringong Soldier’s Memorial Hall, will close after selling locally handmade craft and gifts with love since 1975.

With the closure of this shop, the community will be losing another important piece of its history and culture, says Anita Grey, who along with her daughter Letitia, make beautiful cards, bags and framed pictures for sale in the shop.

“We’ve seen generation after generation of people coming in, originally as kids with their grandparents and now grown up with their own children and grandchildren,” she says.

48 years ago, an RSL committee offered the space to the crafts people for a peppercorn rent.

A percentage of all sales since has supported local causes such as the Gerringong Primary School, Gerringong RFS, Gerringong RSL and others.

Crafters Anne Gallagher and Gwenn Munz

However, a few months ago committee President Betty Richardson received news from the RSL Sub-Branch that the recently renovated shop will be advertised for rent as a “high profile shop or office space”. Applications for a new tenant closed at the end of February.

Anita says it's been a hard couple of months for the craftworkers and the committee and it has definitely taken its toll on some of older members that have been part of the Village Shop since the beginning. It is another example of this community’s spirit of volunteerism.

“My daughter comes in to volunteer her time with me when I’m rostered on to work. We were hoping we could all pass the baton on to this younger generation one day.”

Merryl Gleeson (above), who makes the most delightful felted and feathered animals and birds, was one of the first members 48 years ago.

“I wasn’t married then. But Kate Gleeson, my mother-in-law, and I joined together. It has been good. We’ve supported a lot of charities over those years.”

Other crafters, Gwenn Munz (crocheted handtowels, baby things and embroidery), Judith Redding (coathangers, teddies and facemasks), June Way (famous jams, pickles, children’s clothes and string bags) and Anne Gallagher (knits towels, scarves and hats) have all been members for between 9 and 20 years.

Anne’s husband Tom (below) knits socks and blankets while Ava Hamilton, aged 10, makes beaded bracelets and necklaces with her mum Ros Richardson.

“We buy the beads from the Beach Shack,” says Ros. “We look to support local and then sell local.”

“There are not a lot of outlets for locally made craft, “says Bonnie who makes rings from antique spoons.

“It’s a sad time and is definitely the end of an era. No where else can you buy a card for a couple of dollars, or other things that are practical, made locally and are reasonably priced.

“While we do get something to cover the cost of our supplies, all the rest of the money we earn goes to charity.”

Anita regrets the change in policy by the RSL Sub-Branch.

“It’s a kick in the teeth to past RSL members,” says Anita.

“They were behind it as they saw what an asset the shop was to the community.

“Not only did we as crafters get to show such a variety of work, but it was a safe place where the community could meet.”

Merryl says that a lot of people come in and ask if they have something in particular.

“Then someone goes and makes it. On occasions, I’ve done a sewing lesson over the counter.”

The Village Craft Shop Members would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their support over the years.

The RSL declined to comment on the matter at this stage.