Woodies celebrate 30 years of craft and community
The Blackall Range Woodcrafters Guild Inc (BRWG) is marking 30 years of woodworking, community service and friendship in the hinterland.
The group began on March 4, 1996, when a small group of Blackall Range residents interested in woodworking decided to “have a go” at forming a club. Three decades later the organisation has grown into one of the region’s largest and most active craft groups.
More than 1000 residents have been members over the years, with the guild now boasting more than 200 financial members.
Today BRWG operates from its permanent home on part of the Montville Sportsground, where two large, fully equipped woodworking sheds provide members with space to pursue their craft six days a week. The site is leased from the Montville Village Association.
Over the years the group has developed a strong reputation not only for the quality of its woodworking, but also for its generosity.
Members have donated practical woodcraft items to hundreds of community organisations across the Sunshine Coast hinterland and beyond.
One of the guild’s longest-running traditions is its support of the Salvation Army’s Children’s Christmas Toy Appeal. Every year since 1996, BRWG members – known locally as the “Woodies” – have handmade hundreds of wooden toys which are donated to the annual appeal.
A wide range of community groups have also benefited from the guild’s craftsmanship, including Montville Village Association, Montville Primary School, St Mary’s Church, Wishlist, Maleny Community Centre, Mary Cairncross Discovery Centre, Maleny Police, Nambour Police, Mapleton Library, hospitals, schools and kindergartens.
Open Day May 2 and 3
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the guild will host an open day on Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3.
Visitors will be able to tour the woodworking facilities, meet members and view displays of handcrafted items, many of which will be available for purchase at reasonable prices. Entry is free.
There will also be raffle prizes for visitors, with past prizes including a Scandinavian-style coffee table valued at thousands of dollars.
The open day will form part of the wider Montville Wood Trail, a series of wood-inspired activities taking place across Montville.
The BRWG Open Day will be held May 2–3 at the group’s sheds at the Montville Sportsground. Entry is free.
