Company Profile
Creative Director and owner of Southern Cross Needlework
is Rhonda Eddy. Rhonda divides her time between Newcastle
and East Maitland where the store is located. Newcastle is 100
miles north of Sydney, New South Wales, in the historic, picturesque
Hunter Valley known worldwide for its premium wines.
From an early age, Rhonda displayed a talent for drawing and
design. In her leisure, she attended many art courses and
workshops to further her skills while pursuing a demanding,
professional, business career.
For almost twenty years, Rhonda translated Australian flower
drawings into embroidery designs. In the last five years,
while recovering from illness, she turned her energies to
the richness of tapestry and the exacting technique of cross
stitch, interpreting Australian flora and themes.
Rhonda lives adjacent to a large bushland reserve, a sanctuary
to koalas, wombats, native and waterbirds and owls. Her garden
flows into differing areas including a glade of Australian
native plants such as, Christmas Bush and Grevilleas, attracting
nectar-eating birds, to a secret walled garden with cottage
and traditional English flowers. Roses and ferns hold a special
place. Australian native bees e.g. Blue Banded Bees are regular
visitors.
A wild bird-feeding tray among native trees attracts Cockatoos,
King Parrots and Eastern Rosellas. Kookaburras investigate
potential meal choices from an old craggy branch. In the evening,
ringtail possums gambol in the trees. During the height of
summer, blue tongue lizards and the occasional snake frequent
the garden.
In an attempt to ensure accuracy, in her designs, Rhonda has
grown all but the Waratah.
She is a member of the Botanical Art Society of Australia,
The Australian Garden History Society, a Friend of the Royal
Botanic Gardens (Sydney) and a member of many Embroidery Guilds
and groups Australia wide.
Rhonda's designs reflect her passion for her
work and her love of things Australian.
Our Newcastle Office can be contacted on phone 61 2 4956 2822,
or fax 61 2 4956 1114.
Postal address is 94 Melbourne St East Maitland NSW 2323 Australia.
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