The Crafty Belles shop, the much-loved little yellow shop operated by the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Nimmitabel branch, has finally re-opened.

The 6 December official re-opening was attended by 35 special guests in Nimmitabel’s historic Geldmacher Museum precinct who embraced the country tea party dress code, arriving in florals, hats, and country touches that filled the precinct with warmth and celebration.

The shop facade now has a fresh new butter-yellow coat of paint and an eye-catching deep blue-coloured door.

The re-opening marked exactly four weeks since members, neighbours, friends and volunteers began an interior restoration project while the shop was temporarily closed for necessary construction works.

2025 also marks 20 years since Crafty Belles opened its original doors in 2005.

CWA members, friends, neighbours and trades who were involved in the project have been thanked for their hard work to help with the transformation of the Crafty Belles shop.

Rather than creating something entirely new, the aim was to thoughtfully revive and refresh the space whilst doors were closed; the goal being to honour both its history while welcoming in the next chapter within the village.

The revitalisation included a full internal clean-out and re-organisation, re-painting and polishing throughout, the uncovering of original fireplaces and historic service windows, a refreshed shop layout with “grandma’s table” in the middle of the shop as a very sweet centrepiece and new external signage.

In true CWA spirit, the project was completed using pre-existing and donated materials, items re-discovered in storage, and the collective skills of the local community.

As part of the revamp, a new historical archive and library area has been created within the shop. This space now houses a growing collection of local and CWA materials uncovered during the process, including publications such as an original 1966 New Idea magazine; a vintage Coronation Cookbook; old, signed guestbooks and many CWA trinkets over the decades, offering visitors a tangible connection to everyday regional life across the generations.

The wider project was supported by Boco Rock’s Community Enhancement Fund, administered by Snowy Monaro Regional Council, which enabled important and necessary construction improvements to the building and community space. The interior work was funded by the branch, its members and people in community who donated time, money, items and professional services.

The event opened with an inspiring and heartwarming speech from CWA Nimmitabel president, Leonie Thistleton. At the heart of her message was one key point.

“We hope this project and what is still to come from CWA Nimmitabel, keeps pride, knowledge, stories and connection at the heart of this little yellow shop,” she said.

“We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors back inside as the shop begins its next chapter.”

In place of a traditional ribbon-cutting, a loop of locally produced wool was used - a symbolic nod to the Monaro’s agricultural heritage and the threads that bind the community together.

The wool was cut by Bronnie Taylor, special guest and proud CWA member, alongside president Thistleton using gold vintage scissors.

Mrs Taylor then became the first guest to walk through the re-opened Crafty Belles store and turn the sign to “open”.

Speaking after the wool-cutting ceremony, Mrs Taylor praised the revitalisation of the shop and its significance to the village.

“Crafty Belles looks beautiful, and we know small towns thrive when people come together like this with pride, imagination and care,” she said.

Attendees included Snowy Monaro Regional Council Councillors Tanya Higgins and Narelle Davis and Deputy Mayor, Cr Trisha Hopkins, along with representatives from the Cooma Visitors Centre, CWA Monaro Group leaders Dale Whitfield, Kaye Anderson and Fiona Austine, among local community and business leaders from Nimmitabel and surrounds.

“It was such an uplifting day,” Cr Higgins said.

“A celebration of our local rural women, in a beautiful community, where we enjoyed elegant finger sandwiches, scrumptious scones and joyous conversations.

“If you are passing through Nimmitabel on your travels be sure to pop in and see the 1966 New Idea, homemade wares, vintage sewing patterns and don’t forget to help the CWA to ‘stir the pot’.”

Cr Higgins added there were a few “lost tea cups” being adopted - in addition to a special one given to Mrs Taylor to thank her for her continued support of the CWA.

Read more about the re-opening of the Crafty Belles shop in next week’s The Monaro Post.