Hi everyone,
I'm a new member to this forum and I have some information on a new green woodwork and hand tool weekend coming up next month on the Far South Coast of NSW.


First up a bit of transparency: I'm one of the tutors so naturally I think this course is the best thing since sliced bread


On with the details...it's actually something pretty unique because typically green woodwork courses in Australia are based on similar courses in the UK where the focus is mainly on traditional English wood crafts such as bodging with a pole lathe, using a shaving horse and ultimately making a Windsor or ladder back chair.


We're offering something a little different with two tutors showing a group of up to 12 people both the Aussie and English perspective of green woodwork skills.


This means we'll be using pole lathes, shaving horses, froes, drawknives and other traditional English tools to make a communal storytelling throne of all things (this part is taught by me and yes I'm a pom), and the other part of the course involves the use of traditional Aussie bush tools such as broad axes to square up beams for a timber framed structure.


It should be a load of fun and it'll all be happening on a 200 acre bush property near Bemboka which is slap bang in the middle of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.


And a little about the tutors: well there's me, Jeff Donne, I've been hooked on green woodwork for nearly 20 years now after learning the craft from English Mastercraftsman, Mike Abbott; and the other tutor is Richard Jermyn, who let's just say is a guru of hand tool use. He's made everything from boat sheds to a full scale operating letterpress machine, all from wood, all with hand tools and a bit of elbow grease.


Needless to say, camping, food and stories around the campfire are all provided. The cost is $250 for the two days and beginners and experienced woodworkers are all welcome.


So come along. It's on the 3rd and 4th of May this year. If you want any extra info then feel free to drop the organiser, a chap called Massi, a line and he'll tell you all you need. His number is 0423 786 488 or you can email me on [email protected].


Phew, what a ramble! Hope to see you there.


Cheers,
Jeff.
Ps. Hope it's ok to plug stuff on this forum. Apologies if it's not.