BELIEVE it or not, there are some people in Moree who wouldn’t know a backward-loop cast-on from a chain-edge cast-off, but there’s one lady only too happy to help.

Seamstress and textiles specialist Sylvia Broderick is one of Moree’s hidden treasures, and not just for her inherent knowledge of fabrics, patterns and sewing accessories, either.

Sylvia’s expertise in the fabric game is a given, but she’s more than just the lady to see about choosing materials, curtain colours and the pins and needles to hold it all together.

She’s also one of Moree’s much-loved volunteers, connected to not-for-profit charities and organisations, church groups and community-focused committees.

These groups all share a common purpose –  to help and support the Moree community.

And, at 86, Sylvia has no intention of slowing down.

For the past 41 years, Sylvia has been involved with Moree Evening View Club – a group dedicated to raising money for the Smith Family – and for forty of those 41 years, she’s been a member of Moree Catholic Women’s League.

She’s also logged almost 30 years with a Moree line-dancing group, although she jokingly admits to being more an observer these days, than a participant.

“It’s not a case of when the mood takes me, but when the mood makes my old legs feel up to it. Now, I only watch and ‘chair’ dance,” she laughed.

When Sylvia’s not co-ordinating lock-steps and half-montereys on the line-dancing floor, she’s helping the community visitors’ scheme at Whiddon Nursing Home.

“We regularly visit everyone at Whiddon and, even through Covid, were able to stay connected over the telephone,” Sylvia said.

“Helping the Smith Family and sponsoring disadvantaged children through the Evening View Club is very rewarding as well.

“Our line-dancing group raises money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and our church group’s latest project is Hope Kitchen, which is dedicated to supplying hot meals each Friday to Moree’s needy and lonely residents,” she said.

Sylvia established her popular store, Sylvia’s Fabrics, in 1976.

“I was employed by Joan Wilson, the original owner, sewing curtains and working in her store, and there came a time when Joan wanted to sell,” Sylvia said.

Sylvia said she had no experience running or managing a retail outlet when the opportunity came up.

“I didn’t know the first thing about running a shop but my husband, Harold, talked me into it,” she smiled.

Harold, better known as ‘Sprat’, is now retired.

He’s a former part-time opal-miner who worked full-time on the North West County Council for 40 years before packing up the Yorke hoist and safety harness.

Back in 1976, it seemed patently clear Sprat was the right man to offer advice about crochet bind-offs and split chain stitching.

With Sprat’s words of encouragement, Sylvia made it all work. Nearly 50 years later, she still delights in swinging open her Heber Street doors and welcoming seasoned seamstresses, novice needleworkers and tyros wanting to learn.

She could’ve retired years ago, but scoffs at the notion.

“I’m still in good health, so I can’t see why I would stop. I’ve had an amazing life and there’s no wish to retire,” Sylvia smiled.

I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and will continue serving customers and enjoying the community for as long as my health allows. I just love the shop.

“There are always lots of laughs and, over the years, many visitors and tourists who return every year have become friends.

“I think it is mainly the lifelong friendships I’ve made over the years that makes it all worthwhile,” she said.

“Moree is a wonderful town – so generous – and we all want the best for our community . . . it’s the feeling of belonging that makes it so special.”

In 2023, Sylvia was awarded Moree Plains Shire Council Senior Citizen of the Year and Zonta Moree Business Woman of the Year.

She’s also been honoured with numerous service and community appreciation awards for her steadfast commitment to Moree.

A few years ago, Sylvia became known as Moree’s equivalent of Ticketek, the online behemoth responsible for issuing tickets to live events and venues Australia-wide.

The chief difference between Sylvia and Ticketek, of course, is Sylvia doesn’t charge a fee to fill up halls, auditoriums and venues across the black-soil plains.

She’s been the face of ticket sales in Moree since opera tenor and composer David Hobson came to town a few years ago.

In subsequent years, Sylvia has issued good old-fashioned, over-the-counter tickets – sometimes hand-written – to live shows and performances by groups like Moree Arts Community Theatre.

MACT performances include The Red Barn, Sticky Sweet, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Rhinoceros, Lemon, Lime and Scissors, Alice in Wonderland, Sirens and Seamen, 12 Incompetent Jurors, Much Ado About Nothing and the Show Tunes concerts – and Sylvia has been instrumental in ensuring the ‘House Full’ sign is proudly hoisted on show nights.

Director and writer, Stevie Drenkhahn, said Sylvia has been an unwavering supporter of MACT since at least 2016.

“Sylvia has consistently volunteered her time to sell tickets for our productions, from Red Barn in 2016 to Much Ado About Nothing in 2023,” Stevie said.

“Her generous donations of fabric have also been invaluable in supporting our costume department.  A true patron of the arts, Sylvia rarely misses a MACT performance and is no stranger to the stage.

“Her dedication and love of theatre are deeply appreciated by me and the entire MACT organisation.

“Sylvia’s commitment goes above and beyond simply attending shows; she fosters a sense of community around the theatre,” she said.

While Sylvia’s life has been one of selfless giving, there was a moment she’ll never forget when help was needed – and it arrived in a heartbeat.

In 2022, when floodwaters crept up Balo and Frome Streets and threatened Heber Street, Sylvia realised her stock needed rescuing.

“I had lifted heaps of fabric and most of my family were busy lifting furniture and preparing their own homes for the flood,” Sylvia recalled.

“The next day, Brydi and Ella Holmes and one of their friends came and helped me move the rest of my stock. I was deeply moved by the gesture and very appreciative.

“At the same time, all these men and volunteers turned up and started sandbagging my shop and the rest of the street. I thought to myself, ‘how lucky am I’.”

Sylvia, a former St Philomena’s Catholic School student, was born in Canley-Vale, Sydney.

Her family settled in Moree when she was six months old.

“Dad was a shearing contractor and wool-classer and we moved to Moree in 1938,” Sylvia said.

She left school at 15 and worked as a secretary for Monaghan Lloyd Garage and later was a short-hand typist at Moodie Cole solicitors – now Cole and Butler – and later, Elders Stock and Station Agents.

During this time, Sylvia was also employed part-time at Haddad and Sons Drapery, where she made curtains, bedspreads and lampshades.

Her future, it seemed, was pinned out.

Sylvia’s connection to St Philomena’s School and the Moree Catholic Church is strong – and getting stronger.

Her children and grandchildren all attended St Phillies, and now her great-grandchildren Isla, William, Stella and Oliver, are preparing for the same journey.

“I have always had the support of my incredible family – extended, local and otherwise,” Sylvia says proudly.

She still enjoys sewing, swimming in warmer weather and belting out tunes with her friends.

But visits from her children, Hayley, Darryl and Leah and grandkids Lauren, Nicole, Tom, Jack, Phoebe, Elize, Lucy, Heidi and Bonnie – and the great-grandchildren, of course – sits at the top of Sylvia’s list of priorities.

“All the kids have always spurred me on to continue doing everything I do to enjoy life – the shop, church, line-dancing, singing, the view club and our Whiddon visits – and we always have amazing and memorable family get-togethers quite regularly . . . I really am incredibly lucky,” she said.

Words: Bill Poulos