Carving pathways for the next gen

A YOUTH scholarship program has been launched by the Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades with the aim of sparking young people’s interest in hands-on creating.

The two-year initiative, which is designed to give participants the opportunity to try unique crafts and trades outside the mainstream, began last month with financial backing from Ballarat Jaguar and Land Rover.

Ballarat Woodworkers Guild member Luke Borg has been selected as one of the inaugural scholarship recipients, and said he has rediscovered a love for making.

“I joined the Ballarat Woodworkers Guild in 2019,” he said. “I was at the time trying to increase my knowledge beyond the school course in building and construction.

“The Woodworkers Guild was significant as they have good training possibilities. In the meantime, COVID disrupted everything.

“However, the rare trade courses in traditional trades have renewed my interest in learning traditional skills in woodwork. I attended the course in woodcarving – the fundamentals, which helped in regaining interest and rejoining the guild.

“I think we need these skills because of our traditional buildings and carpentry.”

Sovereign Hill Museums Association CEO Sara Quon said the organisation is all about skill and knowledge sharing to keep old-world creative practices alive for many generations to come.

“In a world where fast fashion and cheaply made goods are prevalent, nurturing the human ability to create quality objects that last and are sustainable is something we believe in very much,” she said.

Ballarat Jaguar Land Rover CEO Jaco Oosthuizen said supporting the scholarship program is an acknowledgement of the essential work designers and makers do in all industries.

“Our vehicles rely on quality leather, wood and metal craftsmanship,” he said.

“We are committed to ensuring these skills are not lost to time and want to make sure access is given to young people to be inspired to embrace these critical skills and future employment pathways.”