Dennis venson & John Thompson - Tamworth Wood Turners Club
LAST MEETING
Guest Speakers: Tamworth Wood Turners Club President Scott welcomed Dennis and John from the Tamworth Wood Turners Club, who gave us an insight into their craft and their organisation. The club has been going since 1982, starting as a few blokes meeting in each other’s sheds. Today they’re an incorporated non-profit and one of around 15 groups that jointly own the Tamworth Craft Shed. They’re entirely self-funded through member subs, donations, raffles, and BBQs - not affiliated with the government-funded Men’s Shed. The club has 32 members, mostly retirees, with women now joining the ranks. They’re open Tuesdays and Saturdays, and membership gives full access to lathes, bandsaws, and other gear - with mandatory safety training before you touch a machine. Fees are modest: around $70/year to the Craft Shed, $20/year to the Wood Turners, plus $6 per visit. Timber comes in through word of mouth - felled trees, farmers, and members’ networks. Favourites include Camphor Laurel, Jacaranda, Silky Oak, Cooper Wattle, and Red Gum. Timber needs 18 months to 2 years to dry, with end-grain sealing to prevent cracking. Members produce bowls, pens, spoons, shot glasses, and do repair work for local retirement villages. You can buy their work at the Craft Shed markets, first Saturday of every month. Dennis and John extended a warm invitation for a reciprocal visit - Saturdays work best. Members are also welcome to drop in informally anytime to see the workshop in action. A great reminder of the value of community groups built on shared interest, craftsmanship, and good company. Thanks to our guests for a thoroughly enjoyable presentation.
Thanks to Brian Cox for the notes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
Another well attended meeting with our guests Rob Lockwood, Dennis Venson and John Thompson welcomed by Richard Chaffey.
Phil Lyne spoke on our 70th Anniversary/ changeover dinner and the fact that the RSVP’s and payment of the $100.00 for the three course meal and drinks is now available for Sunday 14th June 2026 at The Tamworth Jockey Club at 12:00 noon.
General business
·The Anzac Day barbeque will be started by the Family Hotel staff and taken over by our members at 8:00am on Anzac Day and those volunteers are Phil Chaseling, Mal MacPherson and Steve Searle.
·Rotary International is looking at cutting the number of districts in Australia and New Zealand from 19 down to 8 districts for administration purposes, see the update in the bulletin.
·The donation of $1000.00 has come through from the Tamworth Sporting Car Club from our manning of the gate recently at their race meeting.
Our guest speakers were from the Tamworth Wood Turning Club (The Woodies) where Dennis Venson and John Thompson gave quite an entertaining report on the activities of their Club. See the Bulletin for a brochure of times and activities available at the Tamworth Regional Craft Shed. Our guests were introduced by Brian Cox and thanked by Phil Lyne.
Our Sergeant this week was Graeme Mills and he came up with some factual and some rather whimsical fines.
Heads and Tails this evening was won by Jim Bannigan and Ron Carr who donated his honey to our guests.
There is no meeting next week Monday 27th April as it is the Anzac Day public holiday and in lieu of meeting on Monday 4th May we are visiting the Calala Club on Wednesday 6th May at 5:30pm for 6:00pm at Cascada, next door to the AELEC and the meals range from $25.00 - $35.00 with drinks extra, RSVP as normal so we can send the numbers to the Calala Club.
Cheers Scott
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Anniversaries
Jim Bannigan
Dianne Bannigan
April 6
Join Date
Kevin Craggs
April 2, 2007
19 years
Graeme Makin
April 4, 2005
21 years
Graham Crane
April 5, 2004
22 years
Ross Constable
April 5, 1993
33 years
Coxy Cox
April 9, 2001
25 years
Ian Bath
April 9, 2001
25 years
David McDonald
April 13, 1970
56 years
Christopher Lang
April 15, 2002
24 years
Charlie Refalo
April 22, 1996
30 years
Jim Bannigan
April 23, 2012
14 years
Graeme Mills
April 28, 2002
24 years
Jim Booth
April 29, 2002
24 years
ATTENDANCE - Meeting of Wednesday 6th May 2026
Select the link below to the next meeting attendance ONLYif you are attending our next meeting on Monday. The cut off time is 7pm on Sunday.
The caterer is advised of numbers just after 7.00pm Sunday evening
