14/04/2022
Casino Country Crafts was formed in 1984 when a group of interested craft persons met and set up a permanent ‘home’ at the Casino Municipal Baths building. For 10 years members in a voluntary capacity helped with tourism information as well as selling craft work with the proceeds being donated to local charities.
In 1995 the group moved to the old Kirkland’s building where members continued to sell their locally made crafts. In 2000 the Group was having difficulty in keeping the shop open financially and with workers to man the shop. A decision was made close the group and five members decided to change direction and started to put plans in place to become an incorporated body and change the name of the group. Whilst this was being formalized Casino Country Craft became an entity with members joining and at the beginning of 2001 went to markets, Alstonville Craft Show etc. In November 2001 a shop was rented for 6 weeks and it was so successful that it was decided in 2002 that if the group could rent a shop over Beef Week it would. The Group became incorporated in 2002.
That was the beginning of opening a shop twice a year and continued until 2020 when Covid caused Beef Week to be cancelled and then in 2001 the Xmas Shop couldn’t be opened again due to rules with Covid. Country Craft was in operation for 17 years; Casino Country Craft has been in operation for 21 years so it makes a grand total of 38 years.
The Group was able to donate to five main charities over the years and nearly 20000 dollars had been donated.
It is sad that the group has had to disband but we believe that the Group has served the community very well over that time and we the members should be very proud of our achievement. We thank the Casino & District for their support during the 21 years we have operated.
