Stung into action by the suffering of the East Timorese, an 86-year-old retired haberdasher from regional Victoria decides that she can make a difference. Along with her daughter, Mavis takes her sewing machines to Timor and sets in motion her practical contribution. Twenty-three sewing centres later, more than 119 tonnes of donated household goods have made their way from Mavis’ place in Yarrawonga to the newly independent nation of Timor, and the sewing co-operatives continue today.

Based on a true story.