Crafting New Friendships | The Maryborough Woodturners & Craftsmen Guild

Story: Jocelyn Wattts. Photo: Jocelyn Watts

At a Maryborough Woodturners & Craftsmen Guild meeting, you’re likely to meet former tinkers, tailors, soldiers, sailors, builders, teachers, doctors or nurses.
What they all have in common is their love of wood.

Vice president Lou Wolf, a retired US Navy air traffic controller, said not all the club’s 80 members had worked with wood in their careers.

“What they all have is an affinity with timber. There’s something about timber that you get drawn into. It has so much character.”

About 30 members regularly attend the Wednesday and Saturday meetings (8 am to noon) and Focus Days on the first Friday of each month at Maryborough Showgrounds.

Mr Wolf said being at the showgrounds was handy for several reasons.

“We have members from Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey Bay, and Brooweena, so it’s convenient being on the Bruce Highway.

“And when it’s show time in May, we’re able to display our items in our clubhouse.

“Judging happens before the show and when the gates open, the prizes have already been awarded and ribbons placed.

 “And, we also give demonstrations on the lathe, scroll saw, pyrography, wood carving, and other pieces of equipment that are already here.”

Secretary Jen Ballard said working with wood was popular with women as well as men.

“I first came here on an Open Day and thought ‘Wow! This is for me’.  

“Now we have about 40 per cent female membership.”

People who don’t have their own tools can use the club’s equipment after they’ve completed the safety certification process.

Mr Wolf said members sourced their timber from various places. “Often when someone has chopped down a tree, they call us to look and if it’s suitable, we chainsaw the timber and bring it to the clubhouse.”

For more details email marywoodies01@gmail.com or phone 0487 714 160.

The Maryborough Woodturners & Woodcraftsmen Guild meets weekly on Wednesday and Saturdays from 8am - 12noon.