By BARRY IRVING
OVER the past 20 years, Woodworkers of the Southern Peninsula have made and hand finished more than 20,000 toys for non-profit groups to help needy families all over the peninsula.
Of the 80 expert woodworkers, 20 specialise in making toys. They spend each Wednesday at the shed and then many hours at home finishing off their inspired creations.
The Community Bank has sponsored both the raw materials and, also, renovations at the shed, enabling the team to make more than 1200 toys this year.
These will go to Good Shepherd Australia/New Zealand, Rosebud Salvation Army Corp, Southern Peninsula Food for All and Westernport Giving Program.
The woodworkers also offer a range of skills, such as wood turning and furniture making, as well as the toy division.
Programs at the shed include: Mondays – classes in wood turning and furniture making, Tuesdays – all-day woodturning, Wednesdays – all-day toy manufacture, Thursday evenings – furniture making, and Friday mornings – wood turning.
New members are welcome to learn new skills in a friendly group with experienced instructors. Donations of raw materials and non-lead-based paints are welcome.
Details: Secretary Greg Millar, 0410 280 695.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 24 November 2015
