Roberta Creswell's brush with fame

Two of the pictures in the exhibition and Roberta in her back garden
WHILE the world went into virus-induced lockdown, one Merriwa bowler used the enforced isolation to embark on an ambitious project.
In the early stages of the pandemic, Roberta Creswell set to work on using her creative talents to produce a series of predominantly seascape paintings in her favourite medium, pastels.
Inspired by the WA coastline, Roberta was hoping to gain recognition for her work at an exihibition in the foyer of the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, which started on December 4 and runs through to the end of January 2021.
'The events manager at the hotel saw some of my work and suggested the exhibition. I have loved drawing since an early stage so this is fulfilling a lifelong ambition,' said Roberta.
'At 16 my father gave me the opportunity of going to art school. But that would have meant moving over east and I was a bit too scared to do that. I went to business college instead.'
But over the years Roberta has dabbled with sketches of her three children, Lisa, Steve and Scott, and she has also done pictures of Ann Walsh's German Shepherd Krackers, and the grandchildren of Gail and Les Kempton.
The pictures were under wraps until the opening night, stored in her spare bedroom that doubles up as a studio. Having invested a considerable amount in framing most of the pictures, Roberta would naturally like to make some money. But her main concern is having her work appreciated by the public. 'It is a daunting prospect,' said Roberta, a self-confessed worrier. 'At the moment I am racked by the demons of doubt.'
There is no attempt at a faithful reproduction of the photograps she worked from. 'The sky does not have to be blue and a tree does not need to have green leaves.'
The result is a vivid interpretation of the Indian ocean, which impressed the proprietor of Leamac Picture Framing in Clarkson. 'He advised me of the sort of value I should put on my work. It came as a bit of a shock but it is all based on a tried and tested formula.' Family, friends and bowlers were the first to take an admiring gaze at Roberta's work. And the delighted artist reported that she sold three pictures on the night and got a commission to paint a... rabbit! 'I was so nervous but I was really pleased with how it went. I had come complimentary comments from complete strangers, who were staying at the hotel.'
ELAINE WESKIN, a member for just two seasons, is the new social secretary and she comes with impeccable credentials after a lifetime in the food industry, culminating in spectacular cake making.
Recently retired, Elaine admits that cake-making is a passion but as for the actual eating of them she leaves that to others. ‘I love making cakes, I don’t like eating them. The real reward is seeing people's faces when they see the cakes.’
Specialising in exotic cake making came relatively late in a culinary career that started in the WA Club in St George’s Terrace, Perth, with her mother who was the gentlemen’s club’s housekeeper.
From there she opened a lunch bar with sister Janifer (correct spelling) and went on to run two more before buying a café in Fremantle with a staff of 20 called Merino Quay.
Finally opting for a regular salary, Elaine joined the ‘original bulk food store’, Weigh ‘n Pay in Woodvale, where she was frequently asked about cake decoration. Not knowing much, she took a course and the passion grew from there.
One of her customers was Kaye Gedling and it was Kaye who introduced her to bowls. ‘We spotted each other at the Merriwa Village fete and it went from there. I absolutely love it but I don’t take it too seriously. You’ve got to have fun.’
Elaine had just quit the Lions club in Whitfords after 25 years as a volunteer for the fund-raising organisation, serving as president and secretary.
So now she divides her time between cake (and cupcake) making, most of which take three days to cook and construct, bowls and her family.
The cake pictured on the home page was for a nephew’s fiancée, who had never been abroad but all holidays were called off when she became pregnant. So Elaine dreamed up the idea of a trunk, handbag, passport and labels.
One of her recent creations was a cake for Joy Gillian’s 70th birthday, which is still in the freezer after the party was cancelled because of the current crisis. Joy has yet to decide when the cake will be sliced up.
As for the social secretary role, Elaine won’t be shy in asking people to lend a hand and if the ladies (or men) could win another flag what better way to celebrate…

Elaine Weskin - Queen of 'Tarts'

Kevin Adams - a wizard with wood

KEVIN ADAMS' skill with wood has made a lot of children very happy, particularly one five year old boy by way of a thank-you. The lad's dad had looked after Kevin's grandson Josh's motorcross bike at meetings and maintainied the machine in tip top condition for state and interstate meetings - all free of charge. Kevin took two weeks to build the rocker with the end result, one delighted youngster and overwhelmed parents. Kevin was naturally attracted to a carpentry apprenticeship, which he did for more than five years from the age of 14 with the public works department in the Atherton region of north Queensland where Kevin was born.
Seeking more adventure Kevin joined the air force in a career spanning 22 years reaching the rank of warrant officer. 'During my air force years I always did woodwork in my spare time making children's tables and chairs and book shelves. I also did office desks which were sold through a store on the RAAF base at Pearce,' said Kevin, who alsoturned his hand to building his own home, a 4x2 kit home in Muchea. 'It can take me four to 10 days to make some toys, sanding and painting taking the most time (two to three coats). I have also made jewellery boxes for birthday and Christmas gifts for family and friends so with my love of bowls and growing my own vegetables there is not much time to get bored.'

Veronica Thysse - Queen of cards

HANDCRAFTED cards by Veronique is a Facebook page created to show off the talents of Verronica Thysse, who has been making bespoke cards for family and friends for several years.
It is an outlet for her artistic talents but by no means the only one as the Zimbabwe-born Merriwa bowler is also an accomplished painter, particularly of animals.
With the aid of the bizarrely named Cuttlebug die machine, Veronica can cut precise shapes from a variety of materials like paper, cardstock, felt, chipboard, fabric and even leather. The cards she designs are all products of her imagination, and she admits that she is constantly seeking inspiration.
‘Art was my favourite subject and I really wanted to go Art College but my father would have none of it, saying there was no money in it. So, I finished up in an office,’ said Veronica.
‘I was so proud of getting 10 out of 10 for my maps in Geography and even now I find it hard just to watch TV.’
Veronica started making cards in 2008 when her son Darren got married and from there, she made cards for members of The Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H) – an organisation founded in 1927 as a brotherhood of South African former front-line soldiers. Owen, who served a year in the army, and Veronica were both members.
Veronica recalls one bride-to-be, who was pernickety in the extreme. ‘She spent hours with me to get exactly what she wanted. I have to admit I was on tenterhooks but thankfully she was delighted with the finished article.’
Before the Thysses left South Africa for Australia, Veronica was competing against large professional outfits at an annual Bridal exhibition. Her latest venture probably won’t stretch to that but for Merriwa bowlers it is a chance to buy superb Christmas, birthday, anniversary etc etc etc cards with the personal touch.