Panel 3

Designer Mary O'Brien says:

For fourteen years Elaine worked in the Library at South West Institute of TAFE.

Elaine the librarian was assertive, encouraging, always busy and sometimes in a mess. She loved books, was informative and helpful and usually had a sweet smelling rose on her desk.

'Elaine is the colour purple, strong and bold yet sensuous. The colour purple is part of the Women's Festival as was Elaine. She talked of brave young women, beautiful young women, active young women. I asked her about all of us not-so-young women and she laughed.'
Rosan Chakir

Some of the designs within the third tapestry were created by friends and acquaintances of Elaine. They have been brought together to create a collage.

Elaine's niece sent me a design of young women dancing which I used as the centrepiece. As a midwife, I couldn't resist adding a pregnant woman. Elaine believed that women should be free to gain knowledge. She aimed to help everyone who was having a go.

Patricia Clarke provided the Aboriginal artwork design in the upper right  of the tapestry. It is an image of walking tracks and emu at Tower Hill.

Bill Abrahams supplied a beautiful child's drawing of a librarian, which Elaine loved very much.

Beryl Conlon designed the Reiki hands, which Elaine sought for healing and strength.

Jennifer Sharpe sent an image of a young woman at peace in her garden of native flowers in the afterlife, free from care and looking out watchfully on our troubled world.

Other untimely deaths happened which held up progress on this tapestry for a couple of years. Chris Wearne, a lovely young mother and teacher at South West Institute of TAFE met with a road accident at Easter. Marie Cook designed an image of peace roses floating on the sea in memory of Chris. It is depicted in the upper middle section of the tapestry.

Terry Hughson, my nephew, the blonde surfer is depicted in Lady Bay with Michael Hosking who also died as a result of a road accident.

Carmel Hughson, my special sister, soulmate, a lovely lady and talented mother, is depicted on the left. Carmel received encouragement and help from Elaine during her TAFE studies. She died of cancer only one month after her son Terry.

Stuart and Elaine supported the 4 Ports Club at the Shamrock Hotel in Dennington. Dennis O'Keefe (depicted on the right, in front of Billy McLean's grave) featured on most nights. Dennis sang Alleluia, the great storm is broken at Elaine's funeral.

The Hoskings supported the meatworkers' strike at Camperdown in the early 90s and Elaine made food for a barbeque for the strikers.

Sheba, the dog, is there in the garden—a truly beautiful spring garden, 'but light-on' for late summer/autumn blooms, except for roses. There was a beautiful dappled light inside Elaine's house from  the deciduous trees in the garden.

Elaine is featured with her first grandchild Jay at the bottom of the tapestry.

Amnesty International was important to Elaine and Stuart, and the often hosted meetings in their home.

Stuart claimed that Elaine made him what he was, for she was not satisfied with mediocrity. She was always pushing, critical at times, but usually gave tough encouragement. She worked hard and expected the same from him and the children. She pushed people; she believed people could do what they weren't sure of.

'I loved Elaine's strength. I learned a lot from Elaine phoning me up and saying, "I have breast cancer" and telling everyone, whether they were comfortable with it or not.'
Rosan Chakir

'We didn't have a mother to do things for us, because her work was all important. This was good for us, it taught us to be independent, get out on our own, travel and manage our own working lives. Women's group—violet green and white—and Aboriginal art were really important to Mum.'
Jan Hosking

In the bottom right-hand corner is my impression of Elaine's lounge room when I visited the house a couple of days after her funeral. There was a clock similar to many I'd seen as a child. Stuart related a lovely story of encouragement and insight which showed the hallmark of really good teaching. Elaine and Stuart met a student in Melbourne who had a great talent for taking things apart and mending them. They introduced him to old clocks and a clockmaker and there he found his niche. This mantle clock was his workmanship.

Right beside the clock were totems of other cultures including this beautiful black woodcarving, photos of the bride of the family, Kim, the graduate, Jan, and everywhere a peaceful though saddened atmosphere of books and garden.

This last panel of the tapestry is indeed a community effort by friends and acquaintances of Elaine and reflects the words of Elaine's friend Rosan:

'Images of Elaine tumble out linked to one another tangled with parts of my life—work, people, ideas, joy, laughter, regrets and dreams of a future.'
Rosan Chakir

The text in this tapestry was written to her friend Kim Dunphy by Elaine the night before her mastectomy.

'Women spend their lives thinking, worrying, complaining that their breasts are too little, too big, the wrong shape, etc. etc. but I have decided something is better than nothing!!'
Elaine Hosking

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