Wood crafters doing a good turn

FOR those looking for a new hobby, have some spare time on their hands, or are interested in making their own gifts then the Bendigo Woodturners offers a place to whittle away some hours and achieve those goals.

People who have never crafted with wood before or those who are seasoned veterans looking to mingle with those like-minded are being encouraged to join.

Club president Steve Brereton said the group takes new members through the basics to get them started.

“Our emphasis is on woodturning and woodworking,” he said. “We have tutors who teach beginners how to commence woodturning, the basic skills and all about the safety aspects of it.

“New members start on simple but rewarding projects that the beginner can learn. From there members source their own projects and get any assistance they need from other members and tutors of the club.”

But there’s more than just woodturning on offer at the club’s weekly events.

“We have other aspects of the club as well,” Mr Brereton said. “We have pyrography, which is using electric current through a nib to burn and shade onto timber.

“There’s scroll saw where members use the scroll to cut out shapes and we also have triton; woodworking and woodcarving groups.”

Bendigo Woodturners meet every Tuesday night at their Long Gully base with an alternating roster of disciplines and there are a few ways to join the group.

“Every second and fourth Tuesday night of the month from 7pm to 9pm is woodturning for beginners and scroll saw,” Mr Brereton said.

“Alternate Tuesday nights, the first and the third is wood carving and pyrography.

“At the website, you can download a membership form,” he said. “Or you can come to the club and introduce yourself and we can give you a rundown and explain how it works.”

For more information visit bendigowoodturners.com.