WAQA AGM and Golden Service Award

The AGM was held last Wednesday night with 45 members in Attendance. The President presented reports of the Executive and Management committee as part of the normal AGM proceedings. In addition, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to outgoing committee members.

Then Pat Forster took great pleasure in reflecting on the outstanding contributions to WAQA by Phil Thomas who was presented with a Golden Service Award. I’ve quoted Pat’s speech below:

“First is continuous membership for 10 years or more. 

Second, Phil has given exceptional service to WAQA over the period of her membership. This has included holding several committee positions: Vice President, Education Co-ordinator, Small Groups Co-ordinator, Association Historian and Webmaster.

Phil hasn't only carried out duties that come with these roles, she has thrown herself into them, for everyone's benefit, and has assisted others on the committees. For example, when technology infiltrated WAQA, Phil not only developed the website, but helped the Association Secretary with email correspondence, helped computerise the library catalogue, and recently advised on the new website.

Since joining WAQA, Phil has become an accredited teacher and has used this qualification to provide workshops and also less formal education. She started a beginners group in 2014 and seven years on is still convening it, with some of her first beginners still attending. 

From 2017 till 2019, Phil was a member of the Convening group for the Contemporary Quilt Group, providing many demonstrations and leading with enthusiasm. 

Phil also promotes WAQA among country quilters. She provided workshops at Lake Grace for the stitched and bound outreach there, and also in Carnarvon, and she teaches at the Albany Summer school. She offered online classes through the COVID lockdown last year. Phil presently schedules education through the Popups at Sewing Day and Night. 

In 2017, Phil became an accredited judge, and has extended that interest to help in other ways with exhibitions. She was floor manager for the 2020 COVID QuiltWest exhibition, and this year joined the QuiltWest Committee. 

Phil has contributed to the making of two QuiltWest Raffle quilts and enters WAQA exhibitions and challenges regularly, winning many awards for her exemplary and varied works.”

Congratulations Phil Thomas on a well deserved Golden Service Award.