Penguin Jumpers Keep Audrey’s Knitting on Point

Audrey Boyes visits the Bethanie Kwinana Living Well Centre (LWC) once a week and spends each Friday knitting adorable little jumpers…for penguins!

As a member of the Centre’s Friday Knitting Group, Audrey knits jumpers for the Knits for Nature penguin jumper program to be sent to the Phillip Island Wildlife Clinic to assist with fairy penguin rescue and rehabilitation.

Oil pollution is a serious threat to little penguins. If fairy penguins get oiled, they preen their feathers and ingesting the oil can kill them. The little jumpers prevent them from being able to do this while waiting for rescuers to clean them.

When clients first visit a Bethanie Living Well Centre, they are asked to share their goals and what they wish to achieve. For Audrey, who started attending the Kwinana Living Well Centre back in February, the goal was to get back to knitting regularly.  

Natalie Kennington, Kwinana Living Well Centre Coordinator says, “When we heard about the need for jumpers for the fairy penguins about six weeks ago, it made perfect sense for Audrey to meet her goals and she was thrilled with the idea.”  

Audrey adds, “These little penguin jumpers need to be knitted 'just right' so that they fit the penguins properly and are safe to use. I enjoy doing any projects for animals. I also make dog jackets that I donate to a dog refuge.”

Bethanie Living Well Centres, located across Western Australia from Bunbury to Geraldton, engage with local communities to provide a valued social and therapy well-being service, enabling people to remain at home as they age with a focus on quality of life. They offer transport options as well as meals and refreshments and welcome people over the age of 55 from all backgrounds and cultures, also offering programs for people living with dementia.