Maker: Marian Arnot

Panel number: 469

Petition sheet number: Did not sign 1893 petition

Person honouring: Ellen Cecilia Arnot

Relationship to maker: Mother

Ellen Cecilia Arnot was born Gardner in 1930 and blind from the age of nine; she is honoured by her daughter for living a full and creative life. 

Ellen attended Wadestown Primary School and Wellington [Girls] College. She worked as a shop assistant in the ladies department at Mann’s shoe shop on Cuba Street for around 20 years before getting married and moving to Levin to raise a family. 

Ellen was heavily involved in Scottish country dancing (her mother was from Dunfermline, arriving in New Zealand in 1921); the Campbell tartan represents the sash worn at gatherings. 

For over 30 years Ellen was a member of the Levin Spinners and Weavers and created many knitted garments. The wine-coloured wool attached to the wooden spinning wheel on the panel was some of the last wool she had spun. 

Ellen had three guide dogs over a period of years, which gave her more independence. She was often asked to speak to school groups, scouts, and community groups. Sophie is the guide dog in the photo on the panel, showing the amazing bond between the two.

Panel materials: As an active knitter myself, I only used wool I already had, some inherited from Mum. The Campbell tartan was left over from a family reunion in 2004, and I had one gold Guide Dog Puppy pin – the other was Mum’s. My sister-in-law, Jacquie Arnot, printed the photos and text for me and kindly beaded Mum’s name on calico. Jacquie had made several pieces of beaded jewellery for Mum so it was very fitting. In behind the calico with Mum’s name I added dried lavender that Mum had had in a vase. I bought the three pink coloured flower buttons to represent the three Gardner sisters, who were very close. Mum’s next youngest sister is also blind. I bought the wooden spinning wheel from a company that sells items for dolls houses. The beads used to create the Brallie were from a necklace.