GEORGE Davis has always had an affinity with woodworking.
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With his father a carpenter, the passion runs through his veins.
“I left home at 16 so there was never time for him to pass on his skills but I’ve still got some of his old tools so that’s where the interest started from,” Mr Davis said.
“In my working life I never had much time to do woodworking but I’ve always had an affinity with timber and now I enjoy it because it’s a very forgiving medium.”
For the past seven years, Mr Davis has been an active member of the Ballarat Woodworkers Guild and is this year the convener of the guild’s Wood and Craft Show.
The show will feature woodworking demonstrations by trade specialists, a supervised ‘Make and Build’ area for children, craft supplies, tools and equipment suppliers, a raffle, items and furniture for the home and much more.
This year’s show will also feature a Creatures of the Bush exhibition with Australian bush creatures for visitors to admire and hold.
Mr Davis said people from far and wide were expected to flock to Ballarat for the event.
“We have people coming from as far afield as Queensland, New South Wales and right across Victoria,” he said.
“I hope they will come along and be inspired to take up a craft of their own. There is so much to see and they can go away and be inspired and get a great deal of satisfaction out of it.”
The Ballarat Woodworkers Guild has been in existence for about 30 years, having grown from a small group of a dozen members to in excess of 100.
The guild meets three times a week and has monthly demonstrations to enhance the members’ knowledge of the trade.
Members of the guild also use their talents and skills to give back to the community, making hundreds of toys every year for the 3BA Christmas Appeal and donating to other not-for-profit charities and organisations.
“It keeps us busy. Keeps us off the streets,” Mr Davis said.
The Ballarat Woodworkers Guild Wood and Craft Show will be held at the Wendouree Sports and Event Centre, Wendouree on September 26 and 27.
Tickets cost $5 per person or per family. For more information, visit www.ballaratwoodies.com.au
