History and Awards
History of the Guild
The inaugural meeting of the 'Koonung Woodturners Guild' was held on the 8th February 1994 at the Koonung Cottage in Blackburn. The first committee meeting of the Guild was held on the 15th February 1994 in the Doncaster West scout hall. At this meeting it was agreed that the Guild would be an incorporated body and Harold Irving was elected the Guild's first president. Harold remained President until his sudden death in 2003.
In October 2014 the Guild celebrated 20 years with a luncheon and the launching of a book on the history of the Guild. More information can be found here.
Brian Christian Award
Purpose: The aim of this award is to recognise a member for his or her marked improvement in woodturning since becoming a member while at the same time having contributed significantly to the Guild.
Background: The award was established in November 1998 to honour the memory of Brian Christian, a founding member of the Guild, in keeping with standards that Brian established by his own deeds and workmanship. Brian was an excellent woodturner who was prepared to share his knowledge, skill and design techniques with others in order to encourage them to extend their skills and abilities.
Attributes: All financial members are eligible to be considered for nomination of the award.
A member shall have demonstrated an improvement in the areas of
i) Practical skills, ii) Design concepts and iii) Quality of finish achieved.
It is desirable that the member also shall have contributed to the Guild in any of the following areas
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Contributed to regular activities on a continuous basis,
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Participated in assisting and promoting woodturning
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Demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting Guild activities.
Process:
The Committee shall make the selection from members that have been nominated.
The award is presented in August each year at the Annual General meeting The certificate is to be signed by the president and one other officer.
Previous Award winners:
Life Members
Life membership of the Guild is awarded to members who have a long history of service to the Guild. Life Members have provided outstanding and ongoing contribution to the operations and activities of the Guild and assisted in the continuing development of the woodturning skills of the members.
Life membership has been awarded to:
John Atkinson 1997
Geoff Bird 1997
Harold Irving 2001
Alan Thompson 2014
Ray Smith 2015
John Atkinson Award
Background: From the late 1990's, Guild member the late John Atkinson, produced turned toys which were provided to a Victorian charity (later called 'Country Hope') who provided respite for children with cancer. Over the years the Guild assisted John in making toys (not all of which are turned) which are left in an unfinished state that allows the children to decorate them. In 2009 the event was named 'John Atkinson's Toys for Country Hope' with an award for the best turned out item, the first being awarded in 2010 to Alan Thompson.
Process: The decision as to the the best, most imaginative toy is made by consensus of the Monday night critique group and is usually presented at the September monthly meeting.
Previous Award Winners:
Year Recipient
2021 Richard Jardine
2020 Not awarded this year
2019 Not awarded this year
2018 Cliff Walsh
2017 John Osborne
2016 Ray Dennis
2015 John McBrinn
2014 Mal Jackson
2013 David Scott
2012 Jim Pagonis
2011 John Osborne(1)
2010 Val Dalsanto
2009 Alan Thompson
2008 Rick Gilks
2007 Dianna Birmingham
2006 Ray Smith
2005 Reg Johnson
2004 David Tonkin
2003 Peter and Sheila Flynn
2002 Max Lehmann
2001 Denis Champion
2000 Joe Walker
1999 Geoff Oakley
Year Recipient
2021
2020
2019
2018 Alan Thompson
2017 Mal Jackson
2016 Richard Jardine
2015 Joe Walker
2014 Mal Jackson
2013 Graham Besley
2012 Alan Thompson
2011 Alan Thompson
2010 Alan Thompson
2016 'Toys for Country Hope'
2016 John Atkinson Award Winning Entry by Richard Jardine
Toys painted by the kids (2014)