History

Woodgroup SA was the original group representing woodworkers of all persuasions across South Australia. Over a period of many years special interest groups were established to represent the interests of wood turners, sculptors, general woodworkers, scrollers, carvers etc.  In 2007/08 these special interest groups became incorporated associations in their own right and became the members of Woodgroup SA.  In late 2020 the member clubs of Woodgroup SA voted to dissolve the association.  The process of dissolution was completed in April 2021.

The initiative for the formation of Southern Turners came from Richard (Dick) Pillar.  Using the membership list of Woodgroup SA Dick extracted the contact details of 14 people who lived in the southern area.  This covered Seaview Downs to Willunga and east to Coromandel Valley. A letter was sent inviting these people to a meeting on 13 February 1988 to consider forming a group for turners in the southern areas. This first meeting was to be held at Dick Pillar’s house in Happy Valley.

Extracts from the minutes of the first meeting:

“At that meeting it was decided to form an interest group to meet each moth, on the second Saturday afternoon following the monthly group meeting [early WoodgroupSA meetings?]…. Meetings will be held in participant [sic] workshops on a rotational basis.  Emphasis at each session will be on practical activities and in giving assistance with any problems.  It is hoped that some meetings it will be possible to include a guest turner from a different area.”

From Noel Playfair (an original participant)

“A pattern was developed whereby interested people (all men in the early days) could meet monthly in one another’s workshops and share in the practice and art of wood turning. Interspersed with these mutually helpful activities (both successes and disasters – i.e. learning opportunities), were visits to tradesmen’s workshops, wood gathering expeditions, sawmills and even a few caravan trips to more distant parts – the most memorable, to my mind, to Chriss Hortop’s at Penola. A social camaraderie developed and wives joined in some social events and, of course, supplied modest afternoon teas. We regularly entertained the public at the Willunga Almond Festivals from 1988 onwards, and occasionally at other public functions (Strathalbyn’s penny-farthing race day and even at Carrick Hill). Trevor has educated and entertained us at his furniture workshop at Myponga several times. We also visited David Tulloch when he had his workshop at Woodside.”

In 1997 Southern Turners moved to meeting in the Technical Studies Building at Aberfoyle High School.

More to follow in the near future