‘Camp Goodtime Lake Narrabeen 1997’ Quilt – AIDS Memorial Quilt item number 2011/109/55

The quilt is a square shape made of pieced calico, edged with canvas. It is unlined.The upper half of the quilt is bordered in coloured braid on the top, left and right edges and the lower edge has a sunflower print border.The top half of the quilt has a large hot air balloon in the centre. On the balloon are various hand prints, some with names and the date 1997, which is hand appliqued in red satin material. The balloon is edged with red and gold braid. The basket under the balloon is made in a basket weave pattern with satin ribbons. 'LEST WE FORGET' in red ribbons is glued to the background. In the top left hand corner, 'CAMP GOODTIME is appliqued in red satin fabric. 'LAKE NARRABEEN" is on the right side and is appliqued in red ribbon. The background is hand painted to show the sky and grass and a mountain. An appliqued sun is stitched to the top right corner and has feathers for its rays. The lower half consists of various patchwork pieces of abstract shapes which have inscriptions given below. Decorations are attached to the shapes including the following; feathers, felt shapes, for example a purple dove and flowers, hand painted figures, a painted rainbow, sequins and beading. Inscriptions from the lower half of the quilt are as follows, working from left to right: Pete, Nikki, Piers, Tyson, Marek, Iain, EZ, Carl, Sharon Peace, Love, Hope, Jasmyn, Kathy, Gary, Shaynon Peace, Love, Strength, Robyn the Massage Lady Kandy, Eliza & Jack 1997 Kathy, Fiona Love and thanks for the happy days, Rosi, Eric and Dylan Maisie, Amelia, Wayne Thank you, love Natasha, love you Dad forever James for my Mum My hands from Shaynon Dad you know I love you and I am missing you, Tas Dear Dad you are the best love Aron Niall, XOX Joyce We love you so much Jane, Robert, Carla, Nanny Shirl Tiffany thank you to every one from the Hayes clan see you all in 1998 Natasha we love you always Mum I'll never forget you Many, many, many thanks to all the wonderful carers, thank you Dear Bradley, I miss you a lot and I wish you were still here, Tsari, Daniel, Susan, Tsari, Bradley, Zoe Colin B at Camp Goodtime, 1997 Ricky fly away from you fears Love you Dad rock to you drop Tara To Mum and Dad, I hope you are not bored from Vicki 'Mum' 'Malcom' 'Nathan' is the best, Ashley 1997 We love Camp Goodtime, Zowie Eva Dear Mum I love you love Ellie & Dad Dad Mum Tian "anything is possible with love" Kathy 30.07.72 - 14.08.96 / You are a shining star we know you are watching from afar we feel your spirit very near and very often brings a tear/just say a silent prayer for one day we we'll be there to hold you once again what joy and no more pain love you Kathy and Mum, Fi, Arnoldo and Rosina/ Penny, Fiona, Arn and Rosie Anthony, Paul & Tracy I love Daddy and Mummy.

This quilt was made by various people at Camp Goodtime, Narrabeen, NSW, 1997 Camp Goodtime is an annual four day volunteer camp. It started in 1990 with the Paediatric HIV Service at Sydney Children's Hospital as part of a national support network for families living with HIV & AIDS. Camp Goodtime is the only service of its kind in Australia and provides a range of medical management, psychosocial support, research, consultation and education. These camps offer support and information for the families living with HIV & AIDS. A range of activities are offered for adults and children, this has included creating a memorial quilt panel as part of the Quilt Project. A remembrance ceremony is held for people who have previously attended camp and since passed away.

There is an account of the importance of the Quilts to Camp Goodtime in the description of Donna's Quilt in Yardley, & Langley, K, 'Unfolding: The story of the Australian and New Zealand AIDS Quilt Projects', McPhee Gribble Publishers, Ringwood, Victoria, 1994 pp 92-4.