Maker: Glenda Young

Panel number: 144

Petition Sheet Number: 

Person Honouring: Eileen O'Callaghan

Relationship to makers: Panel created to honour and thank important women in her life

When her mother, Eileen O'Callaghan, was pregnant in 1955, a doctor said the baby had died and Eileen could continue to carry the baby or they could remove it. She chose to wait and three months later, despite no heart beat or movement, Glenda arrived safe and sound. 

Eileen also received the queen service medal for work her with Wellington Parafed. 

Eileen’s mother, Sarah-Jane Dickinson who fostered her belief in her god. 

Dee Young, Eileen’s generous and caring friend also helped the Wellington Parafed. 

Mary Jane O'Callaghan, Glenda’s affectionate paternal grandmother, called her the promise keeper. An amazing cook, she inspired learning and sewing. 

Elizabeth Smits, Mary’s daughter was a highly educated, strong and generous woman. 

Christina Watene, Elizabeth’s daughter is intelligent, empathetic and stands tall. 

Mrs McCloud, Glenda’s Godmother visited regularly and made the best lamingtons. 

Janice Hartley, her sister-in-law, an amazing, caring woman. 

Audrey Carlyle, a family friend, cared for them and gave them wonderful outings. She said fairies live at the back of the fire. 

Betty Trevor from next door was kind and generous. 

Ethel Thomson lived across the road and was like another loving mother to Glenda when she was a sick child. 

Margaret Jones, Michelle Mikaio, Nichole Norriss and Patrica-Ann O'Callaghan are women in Glenda?s family who are supportive, caring and courageous. Corinne Reid, Joyce Ratcliffe, Kristine Green, Dorothy McGhie, Audrey Jones and Eileen Keating are also recognized for the special friendships they share with Glenda

Panel materials: Recycled materials given or left over from other projects. Blue to represent the sky which gives us the feeling of freedom. Green representing the ground, that gives us the feeling of being grounded. The 46 woman are represented by the 46 butterflies flying free, the freedom they gave us. Freedom to make a difference. Each butterfly is attached with a hand stitched kiss, giving a total of 92 stitches. Giving each suffragette at kiss of thanks. The bag is made up of 46 pieces of binding which is surrounded by white binding. The 46 bits show how the lives of the 46 woman are bound together forever. The white binding is for all woman to be free. The basket means all women carry out their lives in many different ways. The lace across the top is for the past. The handle is because woman just handle things the best they can. The angel on the bag is for the angels in my life. The women’s names in the bag are all angels. The handkerchief is for the tears that we have shared and their rose is for the love they have given me. The names in the top group are all women in the past that have given so much to me and their rose is for the love they have given me. The names in the bottom group are women who I see the most often. They have given me so much and continue to give and their rose is for the love they still give me. All of these women have come from humble beginnings, have worked very hard, gone without and given so much of themselves to others. They are truly amazing women.