Yarns On Silk – Not what I expected

Every now and then, something close to home catches you completely off guard — in the best way. For me, that was finally taking the time to see the Yarns On Silk display at the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre in Deloraine.

I’d seen it advertised plenty of times before but never really bothered. There’s a $10 entry fee, and – like most blokes — I thought, “I’m not paying ten bucks to look at some arty, crafty stuff hanging on a wall.” I had this image in my head of it being a nice community project, but nothing that would really hold my attention. How wrong I was.

One day I happened to wander through a fairly plain-looking door, not really knowing what was inside, and suddenly found myself in a room that felt more like a small cinema than a gallery. Four large silk panels lined the walls. Then the presentation began — and that’s when it completely changed my view.

A beautifully narrated story unfolded, explaining how these artworks came to life, before moving into the rich history and stories of Deloraine and the Great Western Tiers. Clever lighting highlighted different parts of the panels in perfect timing with the narration, guiding your eyes across each scene. It was professional, thoughtful, and incredibly well done — so much more than the simple “arty and crafty” thing I had imagined.

When it finished, I turned to the two gents beside me, both locals, thinking I must’ve been the only one who’d never seen it. But nope — they hadn’t either, and they were just as amazed as I was. It really made me think that if I’d underestimated it, plenty of others probably have too.

For a bit of background, Yarns On Silk was created back in the early 1990s by more than 300 locals who spent thousands of hours handcrafting the panels. Each one represents a season in the Meander Valley, telling the story of our people and place through colour, texture, and light.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Yarns On Silk, and to celebrate, the Visitor Centre is offering free entry on the 30th of each month, so there’s really no excuse not to go and see it for yourself.

If you’ve walked past before thinking it’s just another art display, do yourself a favour — step inside, take a seat, and prepare to be surprised. It’s a genuine hidden gem that captures the history, creativity, and spirit of our region perfectly.