Doug is one of our senior members having been born in Melbourne and moving to Adelaide where he married and had three children. He established two big Auto Wrecking businesses while there and had a big involvement in rally cars and driving. Competing in most major events at that time. He even drove a leg of the famous London to Sydney rally in a Fiat 124 (pity it wasn't a Hillman).
Sold up and moved to the Whitsundays where he started and was involved in a lot of development and businesses in Airlie over the years since he arrived in '74.
He has some good advice for Santa Clause players; should you have an accident getting across the creek or whatever, RED Bond undies are far less noticeable!!!
He was a tireless Lions member being a "stickler" for doing things right and proper, but still enjoyed himself and entertained others by acquiring and wearing outrageous headgear.
Having sold most of his commercial ventures he has now retired and is pursuing his interest in timber and woodwork and obviously enjoys being a group member.
Please click on the thumbnails below to view some of the pieces turned by Doug......
Ron is a Proserpine local whose father owned the sawmill at which he has worked since leaving high school. After nearly thirty years in the business he certainly knows what it is all about.
The whole process from standing tree to dressed treated plank is undertaken by Ron. Multi skilled takes on a new meaning when you think about this process, forester, timber cutter, dozer operator, haulage operator, plant operator, sawyer, saw doctor, treatment plant operator, salesman, etc, etc.
In past years Ron was an enthusiastic trail rider, going to places such as the bike races at Bathurst in the middle of winter and to Cape York in the middle of the wet season during the 70's.
He was a scout leader for many years and is currently the local patron. Ron started woodturning in the 80's but recently the lack of time has been a major hinderence to his hobby. He joined the group hoping that this situtation might change allowing him once again to get the shavings flying.
Please click on the thumbnails below to view some of the pieces turned by Ronnie......
PHOTOS UNAVAILABLE AT THE PRESENT TIME....
PLEASE RETURN AT A LATER DATE......
Ray is possibly our most senior member, having been born here some 70 odd years ago. A successful famer all his life, Ray no doubt has worked extremely hard, especially during the early days when cane farming was alot of manual work. He retired some years ago, letting his son take over the family farm, and for the past five years or so has been woodturning. He has several other interests as well, that keep him quite busy.
His lathe is a little unusual, but it allows him to turn out some very good work. He submitted many winning pieces at the local show over several years.
Family weddings, birthdays and Christmas's keep him very busy at times, making up wedding goblets and other interesting gifts.
Ray was very keen to get our group up and running, knowing that it will be of great benefit to all of us.
Please click on the thumbnails below to view some of the pieces turned by Ray......
Please click on the thumbnails below to view some of the pieces turned by Bernie......
Con was born at Baralaba in Central Queensland. He spent his early years on a cattle station before moving to a Mackay cane farm. After Primary school he attended Brisbane Boys College for his senior education, returning home he graduated from a diesel fitters course while working with his family on the farm. Water sking and building water skis were his passion at that time.
He moved to the Mount Marlow farm after his marriage to Muriel in 1965 continuing to to farm until 1994. During this time they started up a business which evolved from CJ's great passion of that time, motorcycles.
CJ along with a few other local lads started up the Proserpine Motorcycle Club in the late 60's. Con was the inaugural president; a position he held for many years.
Scramble meetings and hill climbs were a regular occurrence on the farm during this time. Motorcycle Trials riding was CJ's forte however, having competed successfully at Queensland and Australian levels.
Outback bike riding is his love having travelled thousands of miles throughout Queensland on back roads to places such as Cape York, Birdsville, Boulia and around the Simpson Desert, Ayres Rock etc. His pig chasing trips and camps have a waiting list of riders wanting to join in the fun.
Hobbys have always been popular with CJ and he has had quite a few over the years. Including, Game Fishing, Pig Shooting, collecting Australian Stamps and African Hunting books etc, etc, to finally woodturning, which came about from his late father's own enthusiasm and skill for this craft.
He says that the group has given him a great deal of pleasure and he continues to learn and improve from his involvement with the other members.
Please click on the thumbnails below to view some of the pieces turned by CJ......
Please click on the thumbnails below to view some of the pieces turned by John......
Another Prossy born boy; he had a nice quiet young life and went down Mackay way to become a cane train (loco) driver, working at both Farleigh and Cattle Creek Sugar Mills.
Married local girl Rose and continued to work in the Mackay arera until about '87. Became a "zipper" club member in 1990 with a four by-pass operation. He is a veteran of surgery as he has had a couple of back operations as well.
He tries to keep out of trouble, but still seems to do the odd "trick" like digging a post hole then failling into it; falling off the pruning ladder etc.
Have you ever been driving along behind a VW Koombie and seen the engine fall out of it onto the road? John hasn't because he was driving it!!!! It's a fact.
Anyway, he started turning quite a while ago and had no hesitation in joining the group knowing there was a lot to learn and contribute.
