Palmwoods
District News

November
1998

Page 8

Eudlo's true earth potter

THE old saying: "If you want something done - give it to the busiest peron,’’ jumps immediately to mind when you first meet Eudlo’s Jackie Gasson.

Elected president of the Wide Bay Burnett Potters Association for the third year at the association’s annual convention in October, Jackie (and husband Roy) also runs a pottery supply business, teaches pottery and does volunteer work for a palliative care service.

In her 25 years as a potter, Jackie has mastered a range of related styles and mediums. And while she was involved in the association’s annual general meeting at the recent weekend convention, she also found time to have a demonstration stand the the event.

And while known for her work with hand-painted pottery etc, she claims her heart is in wood firing and salt-glazing - "I’m a true earth potter’’.

A mother of three children (grown up now) Jackie first found pottery when she was living in Longreach 25 years ago. She said there was little to do except have a go at craft, and when she discovered pottery, the other crafts were put aside.

Roy was with the Department of Aviation, so the family moved quite regularly.

Jackie took her love of potting further when they moved to Townsville, and she completed a three year diploma course. In Mackay she taught pottery and did related work on the ABC radio.

When the family moved to Maroochydore, she went into her first pottery supply business, then into wholesale manufacturing for seven years. It was during this time that the family moved to Eudlo, 12 years ago when Jackie’s youngest son started school.

Eighteen months ago the Gasson’s opened the Clay Shed at Kunda Park, where they retail pottery products, Jackie teaches pottery classes, holds workshops and runs a firing service. She is also called on to judge art and ceramic shows.

As swamped as Jackie is with her pottery work, she also finds time for those members of our community who have only a short time left to live. As a volunteer with the Cittamani Home Palliative Care Hospice Service, Jackie has found another passion.

"I am a volunteer for them, plus a fundraiser. It’s become a passion of mine. You have no idea how much you can learn from these people.’’

Jackie said most people who knew they only had a short time to live had somehow come to terms with life, and had a lot to offer.

Volunteer carers enable full time carers to have a bit of time off.

While based in Nambour, the service was originally founded by a Buddhist monk and still retains connections with Eudlo’s Chenrezig Buddhist community. Jackie said the service is partly government funded and relied heavily on donations and funds raised.

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