Wednesday, 20 March 2019

 Mr MAAS (Narre Warren South) (10:15): Last week I was pleased to attend the opening ceremony of the new Berwick District Woodworkers Club building at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick. The Berwick woodworkers are a great group of retired people who make an important contribution to our community by coming together each weekday to make beautiful wooden crafts for distribution to those most in need in the community. The woodworkers hand make toys such as blackboards, trucks, hobbyhorses, trains and doll’s houses that are provided as gifts to disadvantaged children during the festive season.

The club commenced with a group of six people back in June 1986, originally meeting at various venues before establishing a permanent home at the Old Cheese Factory. It now has over 100 members. The new facilities provide for enlarged and properly kitted workspaces, clubrooms and storage areas where these craftsmen and women can share their skills and passions and continue to hone their craft whilst importantly giving back to the community through the donation of toys.

My thanks especially go to the woodworkers president, Len Preece; vice-president, Brian Crowe; secretary, Richard Gething; and committee members Elsie Hoare, Rick Hoare and John McMahon. The standard of their work and the attention that the woodworkers put into each piece is just outstanding. I look forward to attending the Berwick District Woodworkers Club again in the very near future.