Ghost Net REEFormation (previously the Ghost Net Project) is an outreach and education program of Woodlands Community of Christ promoting the Sacredness of Creation. Through creative sculpture and fortnightly community crafternoons, we provoke conversations for conservation and are working toward a large 5x1.8 m outdoor sculpture as a visual plea for coral reef conservation and climate action.

So far, the crafternoons have brought together more than 30 non-members and around a dozen members since we began in April 2025. Our sculpture has been accepted into “The Castaways Sculpture Awards” on Rockingham Beach, Western Australia, in late October. The awards invite Western Australian artists to create innovative sculptures from recycled and repurposed materials.

Our sculpture must be completed by the end of September, and there is still much to be done. We need lots more “rocks”, so this weekend I invite you to participate by sewing some. Rocks make the arrangement more realistic and provide a base for attaching corals and marine creatures. They are easy to make but time consuming; the more work you put into them, the more organic and interesting they look. No sewing experience is needed. If you can thread a needle, I can show you the rest. I find I listen better when my hands are busy, so I invite you to join me in sewing rocks as you listen to this weekend’s presentations.

I have packs of felted rope fibre, sewing thread (also from rope), needles and detailed instructions ready for you. Please come and get one from me early in the weekend and contribute to this important project. Climate change is the biggest challenge of our lifetime, and creating awareness is the first step towards combating this enormous problem.

Anita Staaden