Manawatu Woodworkers Guild
 

Milestones and Memories of the Guild

1986 28 April - A meeting was organised by Jim Andrew with the aim of establishing a Woodworkers Guild.

26 May A Public meeting was held in the Society of Friends Hall College St, Palmerston North with 55 people attending.  A committee was formed to steer the Guild through to its first election.

June - Newsletter No 1, KEEN EDGE, was produced and to be bi-monthly.  Meetings began at Awatapu College in the Woodwork Room on June 23rd.

1987 July - First election was held. First International demonstrator, Del Stubbs who was followed soon after by Richard Raffan.

Kairanga Kraft Day.  A day of display, promotion and selling the Guild members work.

Sept - First AGM. Attendance at monthly meetings sits at around 50. Toys had been made for Atiwhai Day Care. Had a visit to Tikokino in February. Bulk buying had begun.

1989 Tea for Two' competition with the Wellington Guild.

1991 Travelling National Exhibition of Turning at the Manawatu Art gallery.

Videos for hire, Quote: "Sorry these do not feature sex or violence but are great value to the woodworker when viewed in the quiet of home.... Hire charge $5 week..."

Books added to the Library. First purchase a set of manuals published by Taunton Press.

WOODCRAFT 1991 Open Day at Manawatu Polytech..   Demonstrations / participation / have a go /Guest demonstrator - Geoff Grierson / Trade Stalls. Wanganui and Taranaki Guilds invited. Open Days following were hosted by the various Guilds.

Members urged to make toys for the Toy Library. Beginning of an annual focus.

Awapuni Rotary Club's Art Expo.   Exhibits and displays.

1992 WOODCRAFT 1992 First Public Display at the Manawatu Arts Museum.

1993 Change of Venue to West End School. Pinocchio Day - toys made for Salvation Army.

First Mystery Bus Trip.

1994 First promotion of goods for sale at the Plaza Complex.

1995 The introduction of an Information Flyer in the months between the issue of KEEN EDGE.

1996 National Symposium, Turn Again 96, at Flock House. Guild Tenth Anniversary Dinner.

Pinocchio Toys divided between five Charities.

Woodwork displays at the National Chrysanthemum and Rose and Garden Shows.

Jim Manley's Woodturning School classes advertised.

1998 April - Introduction of a Club Competition with the Judging Criteria used by National

Woodskills. (Vases, platters, bowls & hollow forms.)

Nov - Club Competition for large, med & small items, carved & sculpture, toys & utilitarian.

1999 Video equipment purchased. Club Competition modified. Wives meetings began on same night as club meetings. 100th issue of KEEN EDGE.

2001 AGM changed to May. National Symposium at the racecourse with the 'Hatman'.

2002 Wharerata Dinners began.

2003 After a trip to the Napier Guild's clubrooms research began to search for new and possible permanent premises. First of Jim Manley's Open Shed Days. New Competition rules introduced. First President's Award.

2004 Scrollsaw Group formed.

2005 Move to UCOL Premises. First Scrollsaw Group Picnic was held.

2006 Move to premises in the Papaioea Scout Hall. Investigations continue regarding permanent premises. The club continues to hold two meetings per month, an Annual Competition, hosts an Interclub Competition, has an annual chainsaw day, encourages small interest groups, and still makes Pinocchio toys. Membership stands at 130.

2007 In January, members vote at a special meeting to go ahead with purchasing the Takaro Scout Hall for a clubroom. The first meeting in it being held in April -

Competition Night with the final ownership papers being signed a few days later.

Beginnings of a website developed.

December. Terraced seating was built, this gave great viewing for members.

2008 A new trophy was presented for the President's Award.

February. Building re-wired. 2 phases of power bought into the building to prevent a total blackout if anything goes wrong.

October 1st. Demonstration visit by Australian Terry Baker. November, building re-roofed.

2009 Full Website launched.

July 17-19th. First 'Roundup' Jamboree was held in Village Valley CentreAshhurst.

October 26th. Richard Raffan demonstration day, held at the Awatapu College Auditorium.

November. New aluminium windows fitted to Clubrooms.

December 2009. Library rebuild completed, now awaiting the shelving so that the Guilds resources of books and videos can be better seen and utilized by members.