Opening of Fine Woodturning South Exhibition in Albany

17/12/98

Local timbers and the craftsmanship of woodturners and woodcarvers in the Albany region would be showcased at the Fine Woodturning South Exhibition, Primary Industry Minister Monty House said.

Speaking at the opening today, the Minister said the exhibition provided the public with an opportunity to learn more about the quality timber Western Australia produced and the diverse range of uses it had.

"Woodturning and woodcarving cannot be learned overnight; many years of experience and practice are required and the exhibits illustrate this," Mr House said.

The three-day exhibition is being held in the Lower Hall in Albany and has been co-ordinated by the Albany Woodturners' Club.

The club provides a forum for beginners and skilled woodturners to get together on a monthly basis to network and learn new woodworking techniques.

"While woodturning is an enjoyable hobby, many businesses are now involved in the sale of high quality timber crafts," Mr House said.

"If WA is to grow it is essential to value add to our resources, it equates to employment opportunities and economic development for the region.

"It is therefore important that if we use a small portion of native forest timber, we only use it for the higher value end products."

Mr House said that the exhibition was a credit to the woodturners and woodcarvers in the Albany district and commended the Albany Woodturners' Club for staging an event to profile WA timbers.

Media contact: Julie Cole (08) 9481 2044