The concept for The Nest Community was forged from The Craft Nest Project, a small business run by friends Roz Holt (current CEO, The Nest Community) and Jodie Behn. They ran regular craft workshops for girls out of Fallon Cottage in Everton Park. The Butterfly Project, part of the 2013 Children’s Week, sparked the idea to found a community.
Teaching girls to share craft skills
As demand for classes grew, Roz empowered girls with leadership roles and divided them into two age groups, Blue Birds for the younger girls and Red Robbins for the older ones.
As the girls blossomed, they were keen for new opportunities and quickly embraced the 2013 Children’s Week event.
Since 1971, Children’s Week has been an annual event in Australia. Celebrated in October, the Children’s Week Council encourages diverse events and activities Australia-wide with a focus on children’s achievements and the right to enjoy childhood.
The two day event was held in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and The Craft Nest Project provided a work station alongside 20 other organisations and event providers. Thousands of children, parents and teachers attended . The theme of the Craft Nest workstation was Sustainability, Reuse and Recycle.
Under an ancient fig tree in the centre of all the activity, families could make butterflies from old magazine pages. The Craft Nest’s workstation was hosted by Roz and Jodie, Rachel (16) Edde-Rose (14) Bella (14), and Blue Birds, Clair (11) and Charlie (10).
By the end of the event the tree was alive with over 350 colourful paper butterflies.
Through common purpose, community spirit flourished
Over the 2 days with a shared purpose friendship blossomed between the girls, despite their ages. The younger girls felt a sense of pride to be involved and the older girls felt like big sister mentors.
Needless to say Roz and Jodie were exhausted!
The dedication the girls displayed during the event was phenomenal. It demonstrated to Roz that you can achieve great things when you share a purpose. There’s also so much to gain from giving unconditionally.
When The Nest Community was incorporated in 2014, Shared purpose was one of the values. Roz proudly invited Craft Nest Project students, Claire, Rachel and her daughter Edde-Rose, to be founding members.
