Arts and Crafts ~ Mogo south coast NSW Australia

Old Mogo Town, Tourism theme park near Batemans Bay, south coast NSW

Arts & Crafts at Old Mogo Town

Watch artisans at work The early settlers of Australia did not have a corner hardware store they could visit whenever they needed some gadget or tool. They had to make do with the materials and implements they had to hand or could make or trade from other locals. Little skill was needed to swing a pickaxe at, or lug ore buckets from, the ore face at the mine. But a person with skill in a useful craft could be highly respected and sought after. Where would a miner be, for instance, if his pick broke and needed to be welded together again. To see skilled workers at their craft is one of the features at the Old Mogo Town goldrush theme park. See working displays of talented locals wielding their tools in the disciplines of blacksmithery, wood turning and wood carving. Talk to these people and watch them at their work to gain knowledge about their crafts. As in those early days, business opportunities exist here for other artists and craftspeople with skills that are complementary to the theme of this historical 1800's township, to establish workshops on the 4.5ha site. A dedicated strip of land is set aside for this purpose and the potential to flourish in a co-operative community environment is there. If you are interested, please enquire.	Old Mogo Town ~ Arts and Crafts ~ Bryan Carrick art Other art, craft and souvenirs are also available in the tavern.
Bryan Carrick ~ Wood Sculptor & Glass Etcher	Bryan Carrick ~ Wood Sculptor & Glass Etcher Operating under the business name of "Auzpicious Arts" Bryan specialises in personalised glass engraving and etching and made to order wood carving and fine sculpture. He is very talented at his craft and the finished products are meticulous in their detail, from tiny figurines to larger pieces. To the left we see him working on his latest piece, a large eagle, which will be an asset in any stately home or corporate board room when finished.
His Pole Carvings have created the unique streetscape in Moruya. His masterpiece at "The ClockTower" on teh Princes Highway at Mogo has used Old Mogo Town buildings as the models for the detail. At the Eurobodalla District Show of 1999 Bryan won two top awards. 1st place in wood carving and champion of the show with the submission of the hand carved trophy shown here. If you would like to commission a piece please call Bryan directly on Mobile Phone: 0427 906 193.

David Strachan ~ Professional Wood Turner

Willy Wonker ~ Wood turning ~ Old Mogo Town, near Batemans Bay on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia

David Strachan ~ Wood Turner

David Strachan is a professional wood turner who is keeping the "Old Craft" going with his business at Old Mogo Town.

In the early days, wood turners had only a tree and rope to work the lathe. The rope swung over a branch and down to a pully which went down to the ground and onto a pedal. Dave Strachan ~ Wood Turner

The woodturner would pump the pedal with his foot which would in turn force the limb of the tree up and down thus making the spindle turn.

The Industrial revolution saw the start of mechanised lathes. With the advent of electrical lathes, the old craft of wood turning by hand has become less physically demanding.

Dave says, "My own turning on site at Old Mogo Town has taken a lifetime hobby into a full time occupation. I turn blocks of wood with love and care, into my own special hidden egg cups, or goblets, plates, bowls, jewellery boxes and legs of all sorts.

Present me with a challenge, next time you visit Old Mogo Town."

David can be contacted via or by phone at Old Mogo Town 02 4474 2123 (ah 02 4471 2059)

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Australian East Coast Tourism Website

Arts & Crafts at Old Mogo Town

Watch artisans at work

Bryan Carrick ~ Wood Sculptor & Glass Etcher

David Strachan ~ Professional Wood Turner