Kookaburra Woodcraft

Kookaburra Woodcraft.

This local business first came to my attention last year when Bill and I organised a quote for a bookcase in our family room.
We were impressed with both the friendliness and professionalism of Chris and Viv, as well as the lovely bookcase we had built to our specifications after we accepted the quote.
Kookaburra Woodcraft
I met up recently with Chris and Viv Bortolotto in their home for Our Patch, where every piece of furniture (see photographs) was made by Kookaburra Woodcraft.
The business is all about custom building furniture, kitchens, robes, doors, stairs, shop fronts and so on. One of the current projects Chris is building is a library for a house. (I was so jealous when he told me this!) ‘That’s where the heart and passion is in…[the business] custom building, I guess, one off pieces,’ said Chris.
Prior to starting up the business, Chris worked for other people building kitchens. He is a qualified joiner, shopfitter and stair-builder and his first job was building wooden model aeroplanes, trains and making parts for Spitfire and Tiger Moth vintage warplanes. ‘This is what got me passionate about…customising and building not the norm,’ said Chris.
 ‘He’s always said that he’d like to plan the job, do the job…and deliver it to the clients and get that satisfaction of them being happy, I think [it is this that] drives us to do what we are doing really,’ added Viv.
Viv, a qualified hairdresser, currently divides her time between looking after their two children, the administrative paperwork of the business and studying interior design.
One of the challenges of running their own business is the hours the couple needs to put in. In the week I interviewed them, Chris was starting his work day at four o’clock in the morning.
The couple would definitely recommend to anyone considering working for themselves to do it, remembering that, ‘‘It is a lot of hard work, you’ve got to stay focussed and you’ve got to keep organised,’ said Viv. ‘The clients are the most important thing, that’s what makes your business.’
‘You’ve really got to believe in yourself,’ said Chris, ’Because if you have doubt, before you know it you will get nowhere, you’ve got to believe in yourself and work hard and always move forward.’
‘You’ve also got to be cautious, in some ways, not to over-commit yourself,’ added Viv.

Kookaburra Woodcraft

Kookaburra Woodcraft was established in 2005 and offers a range that can be anything from modern contemporary to heritage styles.
Chris and Viv can be contacted on (03) 5439 4320, or mobile 0407 521 209.
E: kookaburrawoodcraft@bigpond.com
 

CWA (Axedale Branch).

CWA (Axedale Branch).
When I think of the CWA (Country Women’s Association of Australia) immediately images of gorgeous hand crafted garments displayed at agricultural shows comes to mind.
When I recently asked CWA Axedale Secretary Ann Kerr to give me some information on the group that she belongs to I was surprised at the extent and range of the community involvement of this local branch of the organisation.
‘Axedale CWA is a relatively new branch – began August 2007,’ explained Ann. ‘We currently have 10 members…[and] hold 11 meetings per year, four business meetings and seven social gatherings. We currently hold our meetings at the Axedale Tavern and stay on for dinner. We encourage new members to come and join us!
‘Our group is strongly committed to supporting our local community. For example, we have created a ‘Community Youth Award’ worth $500 which is given to the recipient at the annual Australia Day breakfast.’
This award is funded through a ‘community trading table which allows locals to trade excess fruit and vegetables.’
The CWA (Axedale branch) next trading table will be held on Saturday May 21st at the Axedale Hall (High Street) from 10am until 2pm.
As well other goods such as plants, books, and craft are also traded or sold. The branch encourages people to come and support them.
‘[As well as the youth award] we have provided aid and support to neighbouring victims of fire and flood over the past years,’ added Ann. ‘Some of our members are also involved in a local quilting group and have made numerous quilts to donate to these people.
‘Obviously we need to raise funds for…our projects. We ran a Mother’s Day competition and we are about to do an SPC fruit drive.
‘We also organize social activities, such as garden tours and pottery making, and invite guests to enjoy these experiences with us, thus promoting the fellowship of women.’
Contact Axedale CWA Secretary Ann Kerr for more information: On 54 397 367 or 0439 397 396.

WORKSHOP PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO UNIQUE LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT

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The City of Greater Bendigo will hold the last of a series of community workshops at 6.30pm this Friday July 29 at the Bendigo Council offices for people wishing to be part of an important local history project.
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Strategy Manager, Andrew Cockerall said the ‘From the ground up’ project is a proactive approach to heritage protection in our municipality.
“This type of study is a groundwork study – typically done before an area is examined. Now, we’re doing it for the entire area of Greater Bendigo at once. This will help us to prioritise those future studies and more easily determine what heritage places are significant.
Community workshops have previously taken place in Eaglehawk, Heathcote, Bendigo, Marong, Huntly, Elmore and Strathfieldsaye. 
“These workshops have provided a great opportunity for residents to get involved, and we’ve learned so much. History isn’t just about facts and dates, its also about people. We can learn a great deal for this groundwork study from books, but only community members can tell us which places and stories are important to them.”
“The workshop taking place on Friday is an opportunity for those who may have missed the other workshops to get involved.
“When people get together and share their stories, everyone benefits. Many people think that the stories that they have or the places that were a part of their childhood aren’t important. But that’s not true! All of it has played a role in our history and developing who we are as a community.
“When completed, the report will be publicly available via the Council website and at the libraries. It will help us to plan future work so that we can protect our heritage from inappropriate future development or demolition.   It will also help organisations like schools and heritage societies by providing information for seminars, education materials, walking and driving tours, pod casts and videos, interactive maps, gallery exhibits, and so much more,” said Mr Cockerall.
Anyone who would like to attend the workshop should contact Katie Nolan on 5434 6125 email k.nolan@bendigo.vic.gov.au to confirm their attendance.
The project is being undertaken by the City of Greater Bendigo with funding assistance from the State Government’s Heritage Grants.