It was a long way to the top for Deborah White's handcrafted beanie.
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Bound for The Alice Springs Beanie Festival, Ms White feared her master headpiece was lost.
The Moruya Heads resident is vice-chair of the famous festival and is the services coordinator at TAFE NSW Moruya and Batemans Bay. After being involved in the past seven festivals, she couldn't help but enter a piece of her own.
"This year I decided to enter a beanie in the exhibition; it was one of those two o'clock in the morning ideas," she said.
She created a jukebox beanie, complete with records to suit this year's theme - Head Full of Tunes. She named it, "Wurleanie, it's beanie a long way to the top", in honour of the famous Wurlitzer Jukebox and her travails.
Volunteers from Dalmeny, Bega and Narooma have come to the festival and they keep coming back ...
- Deborah White
"I gave it that name after almost losing it in the mail," Ms White said.
"I was devastated to think all of the work and effort I put into the piece was lost.
"No-one could tell me where it was; after 10 days it popped up again and I was able to track it."
Her beanie made it safely to the festival to join more than 6500 others from around the world. To Ms White's surprise, hers won "the loudest beanie prize".
"I thought I had made something whimsical, but the judges were impressed," she said.
"The amount of talent I saw when looking at the winning beanies - they were absolutely spectacular."
More than 4,600 beanies were sold at this year's festival for a total of $200,000.
"It was the ultimate record of sales over the four days of the festival," Ms White said.
A doctor purchased Ms White's beanie, which will be displayed at Tennant Creek Hospital. The festival continues to grow, attracting volunteers from all parts of the country.
"Volunteers from Dalmeny, Bega and Narooma have come to the festival and they keep coming back because its like family to bond over a beanie," Ms White said.
The festival began 22-years ago with 100 crocheted beanies made by Indigenous Australian women living in remote communities.
"The festival started up to help Indigenous Australians become independent through their art, Ms White said."
"The festival provides a place of networking, fun and friendships with non-Indigenous and Indigenous working together.
The festival includes a number of beanie-making workshops, food and music.
"I feel very proud - we are a group of enthusiastic artists from all over Australia who get together and promote the humble beanie," she said.
Another South Coast woman also received a major prize. Debbie Peterson of Candelo and her beanie - Lucy in the sky with Diamonds won the "My Favourite Tune Prize".
To see the full list of winning beanies, CLICK HERE.
