By Luke Voogt
Vases “so good you could swear they come from ancient Egypt” are just a part of Barwon Valley Woodwrights’ repertoire, according to club president Neil Galloway.
“You name it, we make it,” the Leopold grandfather said.
“We just want to promote woodwork any way we can.”
The dedicated group of about 40 makes timber items ranging from chopping boards and chairs to toys and jewellery boxes.
For eight years Neil, 73, has been in the group, which has members aged in their 30s to 85.
“I’m trying to get the age profile down a bit,” he laughed.
Neil was delighted with a recent increase in female members and hoped to recruit more.
“When I first joined there were hardly any woman in the club, now there’s a quite a few.”
Neil played down his woodworking skills compared to members like Jim Turner, who has been with club since it began 28 years ago.
“If I don’t know how to get something done I’ll come over to Jim’s house and he’ll show me how to do it,” Neil said.
The woodwrights host their annual exhibition at Belmont Masonic Centre this weekend, featuring locally-made timber products “perfect” for a unique Christmas present, Neil said.
But many members were reluctant to sell their work because they were “so proud of it”, he added.
Experts would demonstrate “sophisticated” wood-working techniques and help children make free toys from 10am to 4pm both days, Neil said.
The club also donates wooden toys for Bethany Community Services to give to disadvantaged children.
“We understand that they never have enough toys or gifts to give at Christmas,” he said.
“I didn’t know until I went there how many kids miss out.”
