Woodturners of the Goulburn Valley Inc

In August of 1984 A Basic Woodturning Course was Conducted for the local Technical School woodwork staff for a week of the School Holidays under the supervision of Bob Harris and Bob Ripley. At this time Hunter Fairmaid and Tom Tacey, both from the Kialla area had been discussing the idea of forming a local woodturning club and used the impetus of the training course to call a public meeting of interested woodworkers in the woodwork room at the Shepparton Technical School the following week. About thirty three interested woodworkers turned up and were addressed by the two Bobs, Bob Ripley and Bob Harris. This meeting became known as the "Two Bob Show" which in future years was fondly remembered by the original participants. Due to this successful evening a meeting was held in the Kialla Hall on the 27th September 1984 with the intention of forming a Woodturning club. The meeting was addressed by Bob Ripley and also Frank Willcock who had formed a club at Benalla the previous year. Following questions and discussion the meeting decided to go ahead and form a club with the name of Woodcrafters and Woodturners of the Goulburn Valley. Tom Tacey had taken the trouble to investigate the procedure for incorporating a club and it was agreed the new club should be incorporated. Hunter Fairmaid was elected President and Tom Tacey, Secretary with Ken Menhemmett as Treasurer. Thirty Four members joined and in November 1984 it was agreed to change the name of the club to Woodturners of the Goulburn Valley Inc. with meetings to be held on the third Monday of each month at the Kialla Hall. In 1985 a monthly Newsletter was published using the offsett printing equipment at the Shepparton South Technical School. Over the years the Newsletter has been a focal point of communication with members and also with more than thirty other clubs throughtout Australia. Now with our own copier and editor using the latest Computer technology the newsletter is of high standard containing information and articles for members as well as now being sponsored by Commercial Advertisers. The club supports local charity organizations by regularly providing woodturning demonstrations at fund raising events and has conducted several succesful seminars involving prominent guest woodturners and craftsmen. In 1990 A Fine Furniture, Woodware and Woodworking Show was conducted in the Shepparton Civic Centre to show the skills and range of work being done by members. The show was successful and has been conducted on the Labour Day Weekend in March every year since. For many years the club has conducted toy making workshops to make Christmas toys for local charity groups and have presented over 4000 toys to Salvation Army, St Vincents De Pual and Community Care organizations. In excess of $12000.00 has also been donated to a large range of local community appeals from part of the proceeds of a raffle run in conjunction with the annual Woodshow. In 1997 the club leased part of the Mechanics Institute Hall in Shepparton and renovated the rear part of the hall as a workshop area, while retaining the use of the front section as a meeting room. The Workshop has been developed with modern machinery and is currently open three days a week for the use of members to either work or just enjoy a 'cuppa' and a chat. From June to November the members devote most open days to the construction of the Christmas Toys with two special Furniture making workshops conducted each month. The club has elected five life members during its years of operation and these names are recorded on an Honour Board in the clubroom. Other Boards list the Office Bearers and winners of the Annual Most Valued Club Member Award named after the inaugral secretary Tom Tacey. Photo's of all past presidents and award winners are displayed to acknowledge their service to the club. A guest speaker is usually in attendance at each monthly meeting and is selected to interest and entertain the members generally with a specialist area relating to some form of woodworking. At present the club is still expanding and has a membership in excess of 110 active members including several ladies.

Ray Mc Donald

President