About us

Lynley Buckley - President  QLD

Born in New Zealand, Lynley trained as a Registered Nurse as well as becoming a Director and Manager of a family photographic business with her husband David. As the developer of the digital restoration programme within the company Lynley gained skills in advertising, restoration of images, management and people skills, while at the same time raising her family. 

Fast forward to 2000, the family migrated to Perth WA, where Lynley transitioned her role from RN in Neurosurgery/Orthopaedic trauma to running the Orthopaedic Clinic, using many skills in management and operations for improvements and customer satisfaction. Further study with Post Graduate Certificate, progressed to CNS of small team liaising with all levels of the team for older persons with fractures in the acute, rehab and nursing home setting.  During this time Lynley also coordinated two Teachers training events (year long trainings) for William Whitecloud, Master Your Destiny. Life Coach Training. Crafting was also very present, completing training in glass slump work, silversmith jewellry design and bead making.

Fast forward again, Lynley moved to the Sunshine Coast, QLD, took on the role of Clinical Manager in an Aged Care Home and completed  Nurse Practitioner Masters degree and now owns and operates MACSNP, private practice in consulting Aged Care Homes. In 2021 Lynley completed her Teachers Training Certificate with the Guild, started her own yarn market business online Crochet To Dye For , dying beautiful yarns to crochet and knit with.

While loving crochet as a medium for relaxation, Lynley is passionate about building the crochet culture in Australia as well as reaching across the Tasman to New Zealanders from her home.  While bringing the Guild newsletter into a more current style she has enjoyed connecting with passionate designers, local crafters and all things crochet across the nation and the world.  Lynley is passionate about building teams, connecting people and creating a sustainable vision for  Crochet Guild Australia.

Vicky Ledwy - Secretary  QLD 

Vicky has been involved in crochet since a toddler.  Today, we are so lucky to have her as our Secretary of the Guild.  A country woman, Vicky has taught crochet for well over 40 years including through the local TAFE and through her own studio as well as craft groups and shops.  Vicky has a very active presence contributing to the social media pages of Crochet Guild Australia uploading teaching videos and contributing much to the ongoing conversations online between members and prospective members.

Vicky has designed and run Crochet Alongs (CALS) online and has been involved in many committees over the years including the local LIONS Committee and has been the organiser of annual local Debutante Balls - a declining tradition in rural Australia. 

Vicky was President of the Clermont Patchwork and Quilters Association for many years and was also President of the Central Highlands Smocking Association.

Vicky has judged crochet, knitting, quilting, patchwork, embroidery and handicrafts in general for local, district and regional shows, church groups, CWA and Cotton On Creations for the Royal Agricultural Shows.

Naomi McManus NSW - Vice President and Treasurer

For the past 18 years, my life has been beautifully intertwined with the art of crochet. This journey has not only allowed me to create intricate pieces of handmade art but has also connected me with a community that shares my passion. Through this community I have completed my teachers training which has enabled me to effectively pass on my knowledge through the skills I learned during the course.  As the Vice President and Treasurer of Crochet Guild Australia, I have had the privilege of contributing to the growth and development of our guild. Previously, I served as the Membership officer, a role that enabled me to welcome new members and help them find their place within our supportive community.

Last October, along with a fellow guild member, I took a significant step in expanding our reach by establishing a new branch of Crochet Guild Australia on the Central Coast. This endeavor has been incredibly rewarding, as it has brought together local crochet enthusiasts, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual support.

Beyond my involvement in the guild, I have actively participated in numerous yarn festivals. These events have provided me with the opportunity to promote our guild, share the joys of crochet with a wider audience, and connect with other artisans and crafters. Setting up and managing our stand at these festivals has been a fulfilling experience, allowing me to engage with people who are curious about crochet and eager to learn more about our guild's activities.

In addition to my crochet journey, I am a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience. Nursing has been a cornerstone of my life, teaching me the values of compassion, dedication, and resilience. Balancing my professional responsibilities with my passion for crochet has been a unique and enriching experience. The skills and qualities I have developed as a nurse, such as attention to detail, patience, and the ability to work under pressure, have significantly contributed to my success in the world of crochet.

Crochet is more than just a hobby for me; it is a source of relaxation, creativity, and community. Each stitch is a testament to the time-honored tradition of handmade crafts, and each completed project is a reflection of my dedication and love for this art form. Through my work with Crochet Guild Australia, I have had the opportunity to share this passion with others, inspiring new generations of crocheters and contributing to the preservation and growth of this beautiful craft.

Jenny Whiting- NSW Committee Member

Jenny trained in molecular biology and, after doing her PhD in Adelaide, moved to London to do research into embryonic development. After several research positions, she left the lab, transitioning to work with scientific images at the Wellcome Trust. This combined her scientific knowledge with management, customer service and science communication skills. After nearly 20 years in the UK, and driven by a desire to return to Australia, Jenny and her family moved to Sydney in 2008. She took up a position at the University of Sydney, managing communications for a national network of microscope centres, where she still works today.

As part of her role Jenny has curated innovative exhibitions, driven development of world-leading online training tools and even conceived and produced the 2012 winning entry to the international Dance your PhD competition. Seeing a project from conception to completion is something she finds particularly satisfying.

Jenny learned to crochet from her best friend when she was ten and finds it a meditation and a relaxing way to harness her creativity. She enjoys freeform and working without patterns, although recently she has begun to write up her own designs as patterns, which she makes available through her Etsy shop, Jennifree Designs. She is a member of the Marina Craft Cooperative at Como and it was through this that she connected with Anna Plunkett from fashion house, Romance Was Born. She worked with Anna to develop patterns for two jumpers, one of which was a three-way collaboration with Great Southern Yarn. This then led to further exciting design challenges with other fashion companies.

Jenny is excited about joining the CGA committee and bringing her skills to help connect more people through the Crochet Guild.

Andrea Clements - VIC Conference Sub-Committee Lead

I am a founding member of Crochet Guild Australia. I started crocheting approximately 25 years ago after slipping a disc in my lower back it kept me sane whilst I was immobile and for many years after that and managing a stressful career. When I decided to start Yarn Me calm in 2018, I knew that it needed to be more than retail and needed to be about people about finding and promoting my tribe, providing support and sharing the therapeutic benefits of Yarn and Crochet. I feel that the Crochet Guild Australia is an extension of this, finding my tribe and spending time with like-minded passionate enthusiasts . I’ve been designing for approximately five years and love the creative outlet that this provides I have indicated on my application. I am interested in conference planning however I am also interested in not for profit governance and believe that my experience in this area maybe helpful. I am also interested in Conference Planning. I have extensive experience in Governance, training, public speaking and administration (not to mention my therapeutic experience!) and would love to utilise this as part of the Guild Committee.

Seona Roberts - WA Membership Officer

Hi! My name is Seona Roberts. I taught myself to crochet in mid 2016 after purchasing some online classes. I always wanted to crochet as I have fond memories of watching my Granny crochet while we talked. She made beautiful blankets for me and my children. Soon after learning I developed a passion for designing. I was frustrated at never finding patterns to match the images in my head, so I started to write and publish my own designs in the hope of helping others that were also struggling to find a pattern they liked.

I also have a passion for teaching and training people. In my corporate life, writing procedures and training people is something that I have developed skills in. I wrote a beginners guide for crochet, that I provide for free, in the hope of helping other people help teach themselves to crochet. I also taught online in a free facebook group and added lessons onto YouTube to support the beginners guide. In April 2019 I started to host some in-person workshops for up to 10 people on a monthly basis at a local cafe.

I developed a teaching technique where I would design two different projects using the same stitch pattern. One was a small project that could be made within an hour or two depending on experience. The second was a larger project that was based on the same design as the first but was much bigger and would take a few days or more to complete. The idea was to teach how to make a small project that would give crocheters skills they needed for the larger project. Once they felt confident, and if they enjoyed the smaller project then they could opt to make the larger one. The goal was to help them gain confidence more quickly and discover which projects that they prefer to make. In July 2019, I took my workshop concept online and opened an online membership that I am still running. Every month I provide the two projects and a square and host weekly live tutorials into the facebook group. There are currently 88 members in the group and it is continuing to grow.

I have plans to get back into in-person workshops in collaboration with other businesses. I also release a blog post every week, and have done so since May of 2017. I use this blog to teach and inspire others with crochet and currently publish a granny square project idea, tutorial and a washcloth design every month. All have a purpose of helping crocheters learn and grow.

Over the years I have learned what type of projects I prefer to make. I have a fondness for making granny squares and prefer not to change colours. I love a gradient yarn and prefer my projects to be simple and not require too much counting or concentration. My crochet time is also my meditation time. I find great joy in watching others develop their own crochet skills and preferences too.

Laura Skillen - VIC Marketing & Digital Management

Hello there! I'm a passionate digital marketer and a dedicated crocheter with a unique blend of creativity and analytics. Originally hailing from the great white north of Canada, I've found my second home in the eclectic city of Melbourne, Australia.

With a deep fascination for the ever-evolving realm of digital marketing, I thrive on crafting compelling online experiences that resonate with audiences. From strategic social media campaigns to data-driven SEO optimisations, I'm all about merging the art and science of marketing to deliver results.

When I'm not busy devising digital strategies, you'll find me immersed in the mindful world of crochet. There's something magical about transforming yarn into elaborate patterns and textures that parallels the digital transformation I bring to brands. Whether it's a cozy blanket or a playful amigurumi figure, the process mirrors the intricacies of marketing - both requiring patience, precision, and a touch of imagination.

I look forward to working with the Guild to weave the threads of creativity and strategy for their digital presence while stitching together a world of comfort and creativity with my crochet hooks.

Alison Thompson

UK born but lived in Australia for most of her adult life, Alison has always been a creative in one shape or another. 

With life taking its toll, Alison moved from the corporate world to a more crafty space, starting her own business in 2014. It wasn't long before she discovered yarn bombing and crochet and became well and truly 'hooked'. 

With many art installations completed over the years including Eden Unearthed, Sculpture in the Vineyards, Jumpers and Jazz in July and a commissioned piece at Circular Quay, Alison is happy to crochet around anything she can!

Skip forward to today and Alison has found a love of teaching crochet along with crafting with kids. Alison heads up the kids craft program at Little Lane Workshops in Warriewood, Sydney and also teaches crochet classes for adults plus runs a kids crochet club at a local primary school.

Alison has also just started working in the education system, taking on a part time role at a local Sydney primary school and is excited to start creating and inspiring more children in the arts. 

Janhavi Anturkar - VIC IT + Event Support

Hi! My name is Janhavi Anturkar, I am an IT engineer working for a multinational IT company in Melbourne, Australia.

For me, crochet is more than a hobby; it’s a cherished passion that traces back to lessons from my aunt during my school days. Although my academic and career pursuits led me to set it aside, the 2020 lockdown period rekindled my love for crochet. Self-taught through numerous YouTube tutorials, I’ve honed my craft, finding solace in creating intricate crochet bags, earrings, scarves, and beanies. This creative outlet serves as the perfect counterbalance to my bustling IT career.

Kathy Vasic

Well, hello, it’s so nice to see you here. My name is Kathy and I am addicted to all things crochet. What started as a knitting lesson turned into a passion for crochet. I was 10.

Life got in the way for a long time, having four children before I was 29, but I always had yarn and a hook around the house. Circumstances had me moving to Adelaide in 1998 and fate stepped in when I met a wonderful man who is now my husband. In 2018 I met an old school friend of his who owned a yarn store and my passion for crochet was reignited. I call her my sister for another mister. I would often help with customers and I loved helping people to learn to read and understand patterns.

After living in Adelaide for 20 + years and losing our home and our business and on the cusp of homelessness my mum asked us to come back to Sydney to. I completed the teacher training course in 2023 and I now work at a local community college teaching crochet twice a term.

Having designed many items without scribbling them down, I thought I should start writing them and recently started publishing them through Ravelry.

The best thing about being back in Sydney is having found my new tribe, an extraordinary group of very talented crocheters and knitters who truly inspire me. This group is thriving and with the growth we see each other shine.

It is groups like this that will help the guild grow and become a vital source information and inspiration for future generations.

2023/24 Executive Committee

Lynley Buckley - President

Vicky Ledwy - Secretary

Naomi McManus - Vice President & Treasurer

Seona Roberts- Membership Officer

Andrea Clements

Laura Skillen

Alison Thompson

Jenny Whiting

Janhavi Anturkar

Leisa Thrippleton

Subcommittees

Education: Lynda Tomkin, Jenny Brown, Jenny Whiting, Alison Thompson. Lynley Buckley.

Conference: Andrea Clements Lead, Sam MacNally

2022/23 Executive Committee

Lynley Buckley - President

Vicky Ledwy - Secretary

Naomi McManus - Vice President & Membership

Tracey O'Neill - Treasurer

Carolyn Boots

Carolynne Cannon

Pertra Creutziger

Kathleen Hansen

Samantha MacNally

Natalie Vella

Subcommittees

Education: Jenny King, Lynda Tomkin, Jenny Brown, Petra Creutziger, Natalie Vella

Conference: Samantha MacNally Lead