General News
28 May, 2025
Margery Pannan: Knitting for a cause
Knitting has been a lifelong passion for a Haven resident, Margery Pannan and a powerful way to give back in recent years.
At 76, the former nurse and teacher has been knitting for over 65 years and donates hundreds of handmade items yearly.
"I knit for my enjoyment, and because I find it very difficult just to sit and watch TV and not have something to occupy my hands," Ms Pannan said.
Ms Pannan learned to knit at around 9 years old, taught by her aunt after her mother passed away.
"Although she was right-handed and I'm left-handed, she sat opposite me and I copied her," she recalled.
"So I've been knitting 65 years plus."
She has dedicated herself to supporting the charity Knit One Give One (KOGO) for several years.
Ms Pannan donates most of her creations, including scarves, hand warmers, rug squares, and knee rugs, to KOGO.
A Melbourne-based organisation that distributes warm items to people in need across Australia.
"Last year, a lot went down to Pomonal for fire victims," she said.
"There are various groups in Melbourne that accept quilts that can then be sent to places like Sydney after floods."
These days, Ms Pannan leads a quilting and needlework class with U3A on Thursdays and juggles volunteer work, gym sessions, and community roles.
On Mondays, she joins another knitting group, and on Tuesdays, she meets with her knitting friends every fortnight.
On Wednesdays, she performs duties as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Natimuk senior citizens group.
"Fridays and weekends, I keep to myself," she said.
Rather than post the items directly, Ms Pannan partners with others to deliver the goods.
"I actually have a contact at the Greyhound Club in Ballarat," she said.
"She works in Ballarat but travels to Melbourne frequently and also works with KOGO.
"I take my stuff to her and eventually get an email saying thank you."
On a recent collection run, she picked up several bags full of knitted items from a friend in Warracknabeal.
"That's what I've already got at home, so in the next two or three weeks, all of that will be on its way," she said.
Ms Pannan isn't the only one involved.
Some of her friends from Horsham, Natimuk, and Warracknabeal also knit scarves, baby jackets, and other items and pass them on to her to deliver.
"I've been well looked after all my life," she said.
I've never been cold or hungry, so I'm quite happy to pass it on to somebody who isn't in that sort of position.
"A thousand articles a year go there, and that can be anything from a pair of booties to a quilt."
Ms Pannan encourages younger generations to pick up the craft, too.
"There are a number of younger people going back into knitting," she said.
"All you need is a ball of yarn and a pair of fingers to start finger knitting.
"It's a hobby I don't think will ever go out of style."