Profiles > Koonung Woodturners Guild
Woodturners look after each other. It doesn't matter where they come from in Australia.

Koonung Woodturners Guild

Woodturners have been associated with Koonung Cottage since at least 1991 when they offered to build the garden shed. The Koonung Woodturners Guild was formed in February 1994. In 2015 the Guild has almost fifty members using the Cottage’s meeting room and workshop facilities. 

Nurturing the art and craft of woodturning

Members of the group share their knowledge to help each other. Beginners learn techniques from experienced turners, and experienced turners continue to develop their skills. All create useful and beautiful objects.

Engaging with the community

  • The Guild demonstrates woodturning at public festivals such as the Nunawading Spring Festival and Heritage Day at Schwerkolt Cottage.
  • Members make toys to donate the Salvation Army and the Eastern Suburbs Relief Committee.
  • The group also supports charities, including Country Hope, by providing sick children with toys to paint and decorate.

Picture
Toys for Country Hope, 2014.

national excellence

The Guild takes a leading role in organising the Annual Australian Woodturning Exhibition. Hundreds of beautiful articles are shown in the exhibition held at the Whitehorse Centre in June each year. Many Guild members compete with woodturners from every state in Australia to win valuable prizes. However there is a strong sense of camaraderie and woodturners are keen to exchange information about local timbers.

Picture
Members' exhibits at 2014 Australian Woodturning Exhibition.

Social

Members and their partners enjoy a colourful Christmas Luncheon each year at Koonung Cottage.
The Guild celebrated twenty years of woodturning with the publication of a book, True to Turning. Family, friends and members of associated woodturning groups attended a launch at Wantirna Hill Club.

For more information about Koonung Woodturners Guild see their website www.koonungwoodturners.com
Images sources:
Sources:
  • History recollection meeting at Koonung Cottage, 11 March 2015.
  • Notes provided by Arthur Sankey.