WORK STARTED LAST MONTH ON THE RESIDENTS’ WORKSHOP AT GEMLIFE RAINBOW BEACH AND PHILLIP FLOOD-SMITH CAN’T WAIT FOR THE DOORS TO OPEN.
“My dad was a carpenter and I’ve spent my working life in factories – as a brickmaker, a sheet metal worker, working on slipways to clean yachts – even working in a small goods factory,” he said. “So, I’ve always been handy.
“However, when Debra and I moved from our home in Glenmore Park, I sold off all the bigger tools, but I brought my hand tools with me, and they’re hung on the garage wall. I’m looking forward to the residents’ workshop and seeing how it is fitted out.”
Phillip isn’t resting on his laurels while the 62 sqm workshop is under construction, he’s been busy building frames for artificial greenery panels.
“I’m making six frames that I can tie the greenery panels onto. I’m using those to soften the look of the Colorbond fences in the back garden,” he said.
“While I don’t have any major projects at the moment, I have made a few pieces of furniture in the past, including the coffee and entry tables that we’ve brought with us to GemLife Rainbow Beach.
Phillip’s approach to his projects is to look at finished examples for inspiration and technique.
“I take a good look and copy the design or simply ask how it’s done,” he said. “And if all that fails, I just Google it!”
The GemLife Rainbow Beach residents’ workshop is located at the southwestern end of the resort and is expected to be open mid-2024.