Master mask maker

A young Bayside local is hitting the sewing machine to make masks for those in need.

Eliza Booth, a 22 year old Bayside resident was an amateur sewer when the pandemic began. Self-taught, she is now a master mask maker, churning out a mask in 5-10 minutes.

Returning home at the start of the year when COVID brought her back from an overseas trip, Eliza turned her hand to sewing masks for her family and friends.

Repurposing fabric she already had at home, some of her dad’s old shirts and elastic recycled from single use masks, Eliza taught herself to make the reusable face masks.

With family and friends all sorted mask-wise, Eliza and her mum Christine kept sewing and recently donated a large quantity of their hand-made masks to Council’s Community Care team.

Joan Andrews, Manager Community Services said Eliza’s masks had been given to vulnerable members of the community.

“It is fantastic to see Eliza’s generosity and community spirit to help others in need. The masks have been very valuable for members of our community who wanted an alternative to single use masks but struggled to obtain them due to cost, being unable to travel, health concerns or for other reasons.

“Thank you to Eliza and all the other generous members of our community who are helping others during this challenging time,” Ms Andrews said.

Mask up

Council can supply reusable and/or single use masks to members of our community who may have difficulty obtaining them due to financial, transport, frailty, disability or other issues.

/Public Release. View in full here.