Our creative residents cannot wait for tool time when the new GemLife Maroochy Quays’ residents’ workshop opens.
Resort workshop coordinator John Ward, with the help of his mates Murray Lloyd, David Smith, and Geoff Randall, have professionally set up the facilities and machinery needed for all levels of craftsmanship.
“The workshop is adjacent to the members’ club and is decked out extremely well with every machine you could dream of. We have conducted two information session days already with men and women who are extremely excited to begin working on their projects,” said John.
“The facilities will cater to different sorts of woodworking and metalworking, from hobbyist items to heavy duty ones such as serious timber framing.”
John is proud to be named after his father, a master craftsman who made furniture for royalty all over the world.
“I remember when we were back in London, my dad would tell me about the bits and pieces he made for the British Royal Family. The last piece he made before we moved to Australia, was for the then Shah of Iran – it was a huge four-poster bed.
“He always took time out to teach me all the tricks of the trade,” John said.
John further honed his skills when he became a member of the Australian Men’s Club in Noosa. “I learnt a lot from working next to many of those gentlemen and I ended up coming out of that being able to turn wood on lathes, as well as design and create many noteworthy items such as the Florentine jewellery cabinet I made for my wife,” he said.
With over 30 homeowners interested, John anticipates that the workshop will open three days a week from 10am to 4pm. For safety reasons, each session would be limited to ten residents.
The workshop will be off to a good start, having already received generous donations of timber for residents to use.
Contact John if you are interested in joining the workshop or donating timber or other items.