Bundaberg Woodworkers Guild set up their workshop for all to see at the 2019 Bundaberg Show and carved a niche with the audience.
As the smell of sawdust filled the air inside the main pavilion, members’ handiwork was created in front of an appreciative audience.
Club member Joe Stanton pulled out a piece of Huon pine he had bought more than a decade ago to carve in front of the crowd.
“I enjoy coming out to the show, there’s always a lot of interest,” Joe said.
Joe said having the right tool for the job is important.
“The chisels have to be sharp as a razor,” he said.
“Especially if the wood is soft – the softer the wood the sharper the tool has to be, as silly as that sounds.”
Joe was carving a puma and said people liked to watch the figure come to life with every cut he made.
“I’ve been a member for 13 years and normally I enjoy making jewellery boxes,” Joe said.
Club member Kerry Lines was also hard at work cutting puzzle and chess pieces.
A joiner by trade Kerry said he enjoyed working in the compound wood area.
“I’ve been in the woodwork trade for 50 years and now I make flowers,” Kerry said.
“I only retired three years ago and that’s when I joined.”
Kerry won third place for his wooden flower display at the 2019 Bundaberg Show.
Bundaberg Woodworkers Guild
The group is a community who enjoy woodwork, wood turning, scroll sawing and pyrography.
The guild was established in May 1989 and the initial meeting was held at the Bundaberg TAFE College.
When the Craft Centre at 95c Walker St was opened on the 15 March 2001 a shed was erected for the “Woodies” with funding from the Gambling Community Fund.
Subsequent grants in 2006 and 2014 enabled an extension to the existing building and the purchase of a variety of woodworking machinery.
The guild currently has 70 members and boasts a wealth of woodworking skills and knowledge.
New members and visitors are welcome, including children.
The equipment is used to manufacture and restore furniture, the making of beautifully turned items such as bowls, goblets, ornaments and gifts.
The club is open on Monday 9am to noon for carving, Wednesdays, 8.30am to 3pm, and Saturdays 8.30am to noon every week.
A monthly general meeting is held on the first Wednesday of every second month. To find out more about the guild check out its Facebook page.
