Former DJ spins music and scarves at Shellharbour community table
Chris Shirlaw sets up a public table three times weekly with hand-knitted scarves and music.
Three times a week, former DJ Chris Shirlaw sets a public table in Shellharbour Village, spreads out hand-knitted scarves and fires up a portable speaker. Chris Shirlaw picks songs to match the families walking past, then knits another piece.
Shirlaw spends hours at home knitting while listening to audiobooks, but he says interacting with the community is the best part of his day. Recent time in hospital, including ICU, didn't slow him.
When he returned to his spot, locals flooded him with welcome-back messages. Supported by NDIS providers, Shirlaw hopes to expand from three days a week to four.
- Shellharbour Village
- Location
- 3 times per week
- Current frequency
- Age 12
- Knitting since
- 2003 at Lake Kanahooka
- First scarf sold
Why it mattersIt shows how simple acts of presence and skill build real community bonds, especially important in recovery.
AustraliaLocals in Shellharbour and similar NSW towns gain a genuine gathering hub that costs nothing but offers real human connection.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 8 h ago
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