History of Our Shed.
The galvanized iron building was once the produce department of the ‘Old Corrimal Co-op‘. Actually, the correct name of the business was the Woonona Industrial Co-Operative Society - Corrimal Branch. The building is part of the Corrimal Region Uniting Church Centre (formally the Corrimal Methodist Church Centre). As an activity, the Church decided to convert half of the building into a Community Men’s Shed. The other half was occupied by the Beverly Rowles School of Dance.
Cleaning out the old building commenced on the 1st May 2007 and the Men’s Shed Management Committee held its first meeting on the 6th May 2008.
A team of 'blokes', consisting of Alf Graham, Les Wilson, Brian Gillett, John Burnard, Bob Richardson, Ken Oats, Bob Hallowell, Mike Anderson and George Lemmon raised more than $10,000 to convert the 11m x 11m building to meet Wollongong City Council requirements for a facility able to accommodate 15 handymen at workbenches which were equipped with woodworking and metalworking machinery.
A major part of the expenditure was used to meet noise insulation and dust extraction requirements.
Corrimal Men’s Shed secretary Brian Gillett indicated a Men’s Shed manual developed through the Lane Cove Uniting Church was used by the team in their planning. Members of the team also inspected Men’s Shed facilities at Shellharbour, Berry and Bowral.
“Difficulties? We had plenty,” Mr Gillett said. “We didn’t realize when we began to clean out the old shed that we’d eventually have to submit a Development Application to Wollongong City Council, apply for a Construction Certificate and eventually an Occupation Certificate just because of change of usage of the building. Neither did we realize we would have to bear the cost of engaging an acoustics engineer to design sound proofing for the room housing the heavy duty machinery including circular saws.”
“A dozen volunteers eventually helped make the facility look like a Men’s Shed with lighting, power and a mezzanine floor for timber storage with a tea room underneath. Workbenches with individual dust extraction units were also installed.”
“The community responded very generously to our call for assistance. This came through Corrimal RSL, Corrimal Chamber of Commerce, Corrimal Region Uniting Church itself and its ladies group, old time dance supporters and the Church’s Op Shop, together with several private donations of money and equipment. When it was told of our plans the IMB Community Foundation provided $6000 to cover sound proofing and the dust extraction equipment.” Mr Gillett said.
Member for Keira Mr David Campbell (Minister for Transport and Illawarra.) officially opened the Men's Shed facility on 14th September 2008, during the ‘Spring into Corrimal’ celebrations. Also present was Sharon Bird MP for Cunningham.
Shedding light on the Men’s Shed history....
One of the guests at the Corrimal Community Men’s Shed official opening was 93-year-old Grace Simpson, a life-long Corrimal resident.
She could remember starting Sunday School in the old Methodist Church next to the old Corrimal Co-op. The original Church was located on the corner of the Princes Highway and Russell St. This area is now a Car Wash business and also forms part of the current Church's car park (see photos of the old Church below).
Ms Simpson remembers shopping for her parents at the Old Corrimal Co-op as a youngster, when the family lived “three paddocks away” in Railway Street, on the site of the present Woolworths carpark within the Corrimal Court site.
In those days the main street front entrance to the Old Corrimal Co-op was at the Corrimal Region Uniting Church Op Shop site. The Co-op drapery department was at the front of this building , the grocery section one step up midway through the building and produce out the back.
Ms Simpson’s early recollections are of the corrugated iron building, (now the Men’s Shed and Dance Studio) when it stored bags of poultry, horse and cattle feed which was delivered by horse and dray around the Corrimal area. Over time the Men’s Shed part of the building became a garage for trucks and, for the past two decades, the Wollongong Woodworkers workshop. More recently a storeroom for builder’s materials.
Ms Simpson’s family moved from Railway Street to a site on what is now the present Commonwealth Bank when she was 10. Her parents opened a mixed business selling refreshments (tea and sandwiches), ice creams, lollies, fruit and vegetables.
Up the lane behind the Simpson’s general store, on the present Underwood Street carpark, the Street family had their ice works where they started to make the now famous brand of ice-cream.
After leaving school Ms Simpson worked for 20 years in the family’s general store before her parents moved back to Railway Street. At this point Ms Simpson became a Streets employee and eventually she became their official ice-cream taster.
Owing to her memories of the Old Corrimal Co-op and its drapery, grocery, hardware and produce departments in the horse and dray delivery days, Ms Simpson was on the official guest list at the official opening of Corrimal Community Men’s Shed.
The first attendance book started on the 8th April 2008 (Tuesday) with 9 men while a similar size Thursday group commenced on the 23rd April 2009.
Expansion....
Since the official opening in 2008 the Men’s Shed has more than doubled in size with a large extension incorporating a kitchen, dining and metalworking area. This was possible with a grant of $65,000 in 2010 from the State Government Stimulus Package.
Following the various building approvals, work started on this extension on 10th May 2010 and was finished to lock up stage by 5th July 2010.
A Wednesday group then started on 22nd September 2010. A waiting list now exists.
The official opening of the extension took place on 17th September 2010 by Kristina Keneally (Premier), with local MPs Sharon Bird and David Campbell also in attendance. A cheque was presented to the Men’s Shed for $5000 to complete the floor of the new section.
For approx. 2 years after the opening the Shed employed a Co-ordinator, Bruce Anderson, who was very successful in obtaining grants from Government Agencies and local businesses, together with donations of money and equipment. This allowed the Shed to expand and increase its membership. The Shed is very grateful for Bruce’s efforts in this regard.
Grants have also been received from the Federal Government, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Uniting Care (Aging) with a further Grant from the IMB.
Many community projects have been completed with donated tools, machinery and materials.
The Corrimal Community Men’s Shed continues to be very successful.
Contributions to the above came from:
R. Tindall.
J. Burnard.
B. Gillett.
A. Graham.
B. Richardson.
A team of 'blokes', consisting of Alf Graham, Les Wilson, Brian Gillett, John Burnard, Bob Richardson, Ken Oats, Bob Hallowell, Mike Anderson and George Lemmon raised more than $10,000 to convert the 11m x 11m building to meet Wollongong City Council requirements for a facility able to accommodate 15 handymen at workbenches which were equipped with woodworking and metalworking machinery.
A major part of the expenditure was used to meet noise insulation and dust extraction requirements.
Corrimal Men’s Shed secretary Brian Gillett indicated a Men’s Shed manual developed through the Lane Cove Uniting Church was used by the team in their planning. Members of the team also inspected Men’s Shed facilities at Shellharbour, Berry and Bowral.
“Difficulties? We had plenty,” Mr Gillett said. “We didn’t realize when we began to clean out the old shed that we’d eventually have to submit a Development Application to Wollongong City Council, apply for a Construction Certificate and eventually an Occupation Certificate just because of change of usage of the building. Neither did we realize we would have to bear the cost of engaging an acoustics engineer to design sound proofing for the room housing the heavy duty machinery including circular saws.”
“A dozen volunteers eventually helped make the facility look like a Men’s Shed with lighting, power and a mezzanine floor for timber storage with a tea room underneath. Workbenches with individual dust extraction units were also installed.”
“The community responded very generously to our call for assistance. This came through Corrimal RSL, Corrimal Chamber of Commerce, Corrimal Region Uniting Church itself and its ladies group, old time dance supporters and the Church’s Op Shop, together with several private donations of money and equipment. When it was told of our plans the IMB Community Foundation provided $6000 to cover sound proofing and the dust extraction equipment.” Mr Gillett said.
Member for Keira Mr David Campbell (Minister for Transport and Illawarra.) officially opened the Men's Shed facility on 14th September 2008, during the ‘Spring into Corrimal’ celebrations. Also present was Sharon Bird MP for Cunningham.
Shedding light on the Men’s Shed history....
One of the guests at the Corrimal Community Men’s Shed official opening was 93-year-old Grace Simpson, a life-long Corrimal resident.
She could remember starting Sunday School in the old Methodist Church next to the old Corrimal Co-op. The original Church was located on the corner of the Princes Highway and Russell St. This area is now a Car Wash business and also forms part of the current Church's car park (see photos of the old Church below).
Ms Simpson remembers shopping for her parents at the Old Corrimal Co-op as a youngster, when the family lived “three paddocks away” in Railway Street, on the site of the present Woolworths carpark within the Corrimal Court site.
In those days the main street front entrance to the Old Corrimal Co-op was at the Corrimal Region Uniting Church Op Shop site. The Co-op drapery department was at the front of this building , the grocery section one step up midway through the building and produce out the back.
Ms Simpson’s early recollections are of the corrugated iron building, (now the Men’s Shed and Dance Studio) when it stored bags of poultry, horse and cattle feed which was delivered by horse and dray around the Corrimal area. Over time the Men’s Shed part of the building became a garage for trucks and, for the past two decades, the Wollongong Woodworkers workshop. More recently a storeroom for builder’s materials.
Ms Simpson’s family moved from Railway Street to a site on what is now the present Commonwealth Bank when she was 10. Her parents opened a mixed business selling refreshments (tea and sandwiches), ice creams, lollies, fruit and vegetables.
Up the lane behind the Simpson’s general store, on the present Underwood Street carpark, the Street family had their ice works where they started to make the now famous brand of ice-cream.
After leaving school Ms Simpson worked for 20 years in the family’s general store before her parents moved back to Railway Street. At this point Ms Simpson became a Streets employee and eventually she became their official ice-cream taster.
Owing to her memories of the Old Corrimal Co-op and its drapery, grocery, hardware and produce departments in the horse and dray delivery days, Ms Simpson was on the official guest list at the official opening of Corrimal Community Men’s Shed.
The first attendance book started on the 8th April 2008 (Tuesday) with 9 men while a similar size Thursday group commenced on the 23rd April 2009.
Expansion....
Since the official opening in 2008 the Men’s Shed has more than doubled in size with a large extension incorporating a kitchen, dining and metalworking area. This was possible with a grant of $65,000 in 2010 from the State Government Stimulus Package.
Following the various building approvals, work started on this extension on 10th May 2010 and was finished to lock up stage by 5th July 2010.
A Wednesday group then started on 22nd September 2010. A waiting list now exists.
The official opening of the extension took place on 17th September 2010 by Kristina Keneally (Premier), with local MPs Sharon Bird and David Campbell also in attendance. A cheque was presented to the Men’s Shed for $5000 to complete the floor of the new section.
For approx. 2 years after the opening the Shed employed a Co-ordinator, Bruce Anderson, who was very successful in obtaining grants from Government Agencies and local businesses, together with donations of money and equipment. This allowed the Shed to expand and increase its membership. The Shed is very grateful for Bruce’s efforts in this regard.
Grants have also been received from the Federal Government, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Uniting Care (Aging) with a further Grant from the IMB.
Many community projects have been completed with donated tools, machinery and materials.
The Corrimal Community Men’s Shed continues to be very successful.
Contributions to the above came from:
R. Tindall.
J. Burnard.
B. Gillett.
A. Graham.
B. Richardson.
The Illawarra’s most successful co-op was the Woonona Industrial Co-operative Society, established in 1897 and employed thousands of people during its 60 odd years of existence.
With a head office in Woonona, branches operated in Scarborough, Coledale, Thirroul, Corrimal, Balgownie, Wollongong and Port Kembla. The Woonona store was located at 20-22 Ball Street, Woonona.
The building still exists.
With a head office in Woonona, branches operated in Scarborough, Coledale, Thirroul, Corrimal, Balgownie, Wollongong and Port Kembla. The Woonona store was located at 20-22 Ball Street, Woonona.
The building still exists.
Note: The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was formed on 22 June 1977 when the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union.
2007....setting up the Shed.
History of the Site.
The site is bounded by the Princes Highway, Russell & Underwood Streets in Corrimal. The following diagrams and information were put together by David Drain (Men's Shed Member) and Kevin Whitehead. Both men were employees of the Corrimal Co-op during the 1950s. Also Wollongong City Council Reference Library along with the Planning & Development Department provided information.
Bob Richardson(Dec.) - Life Member
Bob Richardson and his Men’s Shed...
In the mid 2000s Bob, now retired as Inspector in the Water Board, was using his skills doing all kinds of building type jobs in the neighbourhood, as well as for the Corrimal Uniting Church. Bob had become aware of the Men’s Sheds that were springing up in the Illawarra, and in association with David Jones, at that time Chairman of the Church Council, who had also learned about the Men’s Shed phenomenon, formed the idea of setting one up in the old corrugated iron building on the Church site. The Minister, Andrew was really keen, viewing it as a further means of Church outreach in the Community, and Bob, very quickly, started spreading the news of Men’s Sheds amongst the men of the Church. The idea caught on and soon he had a number of volunteers willing to help him take a large leap towards his goal without really knowing what was required to make the Shed become a reality.
He fully believed in the Men’s Shed concept with it’s benefits for the mental and physical health of retired men, the gaining and sharing of skills, the social interaction with other men, the ability to still play an active role in the community. But now came the questions:
What to do to make it happen? What do we need? Where do we start? Do we need City Council approval? What about Occupation Health and Safety? A Workshop situation can be dangerous, so what about Insurance? What about electrical power, ventilation, water, sewerage, heating, cooling. Where would we get the members from? How could we attract the men with the expertise to train the others?
Bob had many skills but had no experience with such a big project. The problems soon presented themselves and Bob himself confessed that at the start, he had no idea of the difficulties that he would have to face and overcome to make the Shed what it is today, a thriving and vital concern, well known in the area, and something that Local MPs support and boast about.
Bob carried on bravely, not really knowing how and in what direction the enterprise was taking him, but now he was armed with what we called our Bible – A very informative booklet made by The Lane Cove Men’s Shed entitled ‘How to set up a Men’s Shed’. He had a very willing team of men helping him and somehow it eventually all took shape. However, Bob was the catalyst for all this and without doubt he had the knowledge, the foresight, and the drive to make the Corrimal Community Men’s Shed a reality.
We owe Bob a great debt of gratitude and he deserves the Church’s, the Shed Members, and The Corrimal Community’s praise and thanks for a job well done.
Information provided by Brian Gillett.
The two presents below were beautifully crafted for Bob by our members...Gerry Jurriaans, Kevin Toombs, Barry 'Curly' Humes and Colin Edwards (Pyrographer).
Queen's Birthday 2016 Honours.
MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION.
Mr Brian GILLETT(Dec.), Bellambi NSW 2518
For service to youth and to the community of the Illawarra.
Service includes:
Has been involved with Scouts New South Wales since 1975 and roles have included:
Group Leader, 1st East Corrimal Group, 1975-1979.
Leader, North Illawarra District, 1975-1995 (to direct Scout Performing Arts Gang Shows).
Leader (Activities), South Coast and Tablelands Region, approx. 1995-2008.
Advisor, (Performing Arts), South Coast and Tablelands Region, approx. 2008-2012.
Support Officer, Keirawarra District, 'no dates'.
Actor, Theatre and Music Productions, Arcadian Theatre Group, 1983-2010.
Member, Arcadians Lamplighters Male Choir, 1999-2016, (including directing theatre productions for Senior Citizens).
Actor, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Guild Theatre, 1990-2000.
Corrimal Region Uniting Church:
Senior Member, since 1983.
Hosts English classes for newly arrived immigrants, since 2012.
Member, Church Property Committee, current.
Member, Corrimal Community Men's Shed, 2007-2016.
Volunteer Explainer, Wollongong Science Centre, 2000-2011.
For service to youth and to the community of the Illawarra.
Service includes:
Has been involved with Scouts New South Wales since 1975 and roles have included:
Group Leader, 1st East Corrimal Group, 1975-1979.
Leader, North Illawarra District, 1975-1995 (to direct Scout Performing Arts Gang Shows).
Leader (Activities), South Coast and Tablelands Region, approx. 1995-2008.
Advisor, (Performing Arts), South Coast and Tablelands Region, approx. 2008-2012.
Support Officer, Keirawarra District, 'no dates'.
Actor, Theatre and Music Productions, Arcadian Theatre Group, 1983-2010.
Member, Arcadians Lamplighters Male Choir, 1999-2016, (including directing theatre productions for Senior Citizens).
Actor, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Guild Theatre, 1990-2000.
Corrimal Region Uniting Church:
Senior Member, since 1983.
Hosts English classes for newly arrived immigrants, since 2012.
Member, Church Property Committee, current.
Member, Corrimal Community Men's Shed, 2007-2016.
Volunteer Explainer, Wollongong Science Centre, 2000-2011.
Colin McIntyre - Volunteer with Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) and a Member of Corrimal Community Men's Shed.
A few examples of Col's work:
Corrimal was officially recorded as a place in 1839 when a grant of 50 acres was made to Hugh Kennedy and described as being "at Corrimal". A point on the range nearby was known as Mount Corrimal after the Aboriginal warrior "Kurimul" (kori-mul).
Photos of the Corrimal area.
Click on a photo to enlarge it and read the details:
Streets Ice Cream Factory.
The history of the company reveals a humble beginning. It was first established in 1920 in the small suburb of Corrimal. The first Streets ice creams were sold by Edwin (Ted) Street [below], the company's namesake and his wife Daisy(nee - Daisy Olive Grigg) who together owned a fruit shop. The first customer was a Corrimal native Mr. Pop Winks. Before owning the fruit shop, Ted Street had sold buttons, needles and cotton in the area. The ice-cream was prepared with a small churn attached to a motor [above photo] and after the Depression Street began selling them in his milk bar. The ice-cream was popular amongst locals and soon enough other businesses in the region began stocking the ice creams.
In 1932 Streets most popular ice-cream was known as the ‘Penny Pinky’. It was a strawberry ice cream offered in a cone which sold at the time for a penny. The Peters Ice Cream company was a long-standing competitor of the company, particularly in the Sydney market.
The history of individual products of the Streets brand is interesting, with the first of its stick line, the
'Heart' dating back to 1947. In 1950 the 'Paddle Pop' was developed and in the same year a second factory was opened in River Street, Moruya. The factory would ultimately have only a brief history, having been closed in April 1954 when the collapse of a local bridge [the Tuross bridge] cut the factory off from its main suppliers . The paddle pop line was followed in 1962 by the 'Splice' and then in 1963 the 'Gaytime'. Though like the 'Bubble O'Bill' these products were developed after the sale of the company to Unilever in 1960, the ice creams continue to be sold under the company name 'Streets'.
Paddle Pops and Polar Bear...
The works located in Corrimal boasts the first 'moving' neon sign displayed in Wollongong. It was an iconic sign which featured a polar bear licking an ice cream with the slogan 'Bear in mind - Streets Ice Cream' [photo below].
In his later years Mr. Edwin Street was awarded an OBE. He passed away at the age of 85 in 1975.
In 1932 Streets most popular ice-cream was known as the ‘Penny Pinky’. It was a strawberry ice cream offered in a cone which sold at the time for a penny. The Peters Ice Cream company was a long-standing competitor of the company, particularly in the Sydney market.
The history of individual products of the Streets brand is interesting, with the first of its stick line, the
'Heart' dating back to 1947. In 1950 the 'Paddle Pop' was developed and in the same year a second factory was opened in River Street, Moruya. The factory would ultimately have only a brief history, having been closed in April 1954 when the collapse of a local bridge [the Tuross bridge] cut the factory off from its main suppliers . The paddle pop line was followed in 1962 by the 'Splice' and then in 1963 the 'Gaytime'. Though like the 'Bubble O'Bill' these products were developed after the sale of the company to Unilever in 1960, the ice creams continue to be sold under the company name 'Streets'.
Paddle Pops and Polar Bear...
The works located in Corrimal boasts the first 'moving' neon sign displayed in Wollongong. It was an iconic sign which featured a polar bear licking an ice cream with the slogan 'Bear in mind - Streets Ice Cream' [photo below].
In his later years Mr. Edwin Street was awarded an OBE. He passed away at the age of 85 in 1975.
Click on Button...
Layback Living is the new comfort concept store brought to you by our parent company Corrimal Lounges. Founded from very humble beginnings by Jean Posetti in 1966, the Corrimal Lounges brand has been able to stand the test of time with a very clear virtue – quality furniture at affordable prices and a strong emphasis on customer service. Fast track 50 years and Corrimal Lounges is still owned and operated by the Posetti family who are now very proud to introduce Layback Living – a new generation of comfort, luxury and relaxation to the Illawarra.
Gibson Hairdressing.
Click on the button below. Then click on 'Gibson Hairdressing History'....
Corrimal Colliery....operated from 1870 to 1986.
Slide Show:
Click on buttons below....
Aerial photos below taken in 1938.
Corrimal Coke Works - operated from 1912 to 2014.
Corrimal's 'Green Frog'.
Early Corrimal Area Auctions - extracts from the National Library of Australia.
This is an 1904 example in Wollongong showing the 'Terms of the Sales'.
History of Woodworking.
Timber has been used for centuries by civilizations to create useful, beautiful and decorative items. Throughout history woodworking has featured prominently in architecture, religion, agriculture, recreational activities and survival.
By developing woodworking skills humans were able to hunt more effectively, create shelters, build boats and make life easier. Furniture, bowls and spoons were created by wood and were also produced as art. Woodworking led to the advancement of society.
Ancient Woodworkers
Over 2000 years ago woodworkers were a very important part of society for the ancient Egyptians, Jewish, Roman, Greek and all other early civilizations. Many drawings depict wooden furniture such as beds, chairs, stools, tables and chests.
Below are some interesting facts regarding these ancient Woodworkers.
Woodworking process have also come from these ancient crafts people, it is amazing what they achieved with ‘primitive’ tools.
Timber has been used for centuries by civilizations to create useful, beautiful and decorative items. Throughout history woodworking has featured prominently in architecture, religion, agriculture, recreational activities and survival.
By developing woodworking skills humans were able to hunt more effectively, create shelters, build boats and make life easier. Furniture, bowls and spoons were created by wood and were also produced as art. Woodworking led to the advancement of society.
Ancient Woodworkers
Over 2000 years ago woodworkers were a very important part of society for the ancient Egyptians, Jewish, Roman, Greek and all other early civilizations. Many drawings depict wooden furniture such as beds, chairs, stools, tables and chests.
Below are some interesting facts regarding these ancient Woodworkers.
- The early Egyptians also crafted coffins from wood.
- Early Egyptians invented the art of veneering with the earliest examples being displayed in the tomb of Semekhet who died over 5000years ago. Many of the pharaohs were buried with objects that had African ebony veneer and ivory inlays.
- According to some scholars, Egyptians were the first to varnish, or “finish” their woodwork, though no one knows the composition of these “finishes”.
- Ancient Egyptians used mortise and tenon joints to join timber. Pegs, dowels and leather strengthened these joints.
- Egyptians started to use animal glue between 1570-1069 B.C.
- Axes, Adzes, chisel, pull saws and bow saws were the common tools of the early Egyptian woodworker.
- Early Chinese civilizations also promoted the art of woodworking. It’s believed that woodworking mushroomed in that country starting around 720 B.C. When that happened, the Chinese developed many sophisticated applications of woodworking, including precise measurements used for making pots, tables, and other pieces of furniture.
- Woodworkers today who practice the ancient oriental woodworking techniques take pride in their mastery of the fitted joint and their skill of not using electric equipment, nails or glue to hold their pieces together. Japan is where this style of woodworking primarily originated.
- One reason for Japan’s success in such excellent woodworking was that they developed high-carbon steel tools early in their history.
- Japanese woodworkers also made exquisitely-sculpted scenery. Their popularity and the techniques used in the process spread across Southeast Asia.
- When a carpenter needed wood, he sawed trees into boards using a large bronze saw with the aid of other workers. He cut thin boards from tree trunks. Trees in that region, however, were not large or straight.
- Among the carpenter’s tools mentioned in ancient sources were the saw, mallet, adze, plummet and line, chisel, rule stick, plane and squares. They also used the bow drill, held in one hand by the handle, which they rapidly set in motion by drawing the attached bow back and forth.
- The bow-lathe was a crude primitive tool, yet a skilled woodworker could produce decorative spindles and bowls with it much like today’s wood turners. He turned the wood by pulling a leather strap back and forth like a bow. This motion moved the lathe and enabled the cut to be made in the turning wood.
- The ancient woodworkers of the Near East built great wooden boats out of timber that grew in the Anatolian plateau (the Asian part of Turkey) along the Levantine coast (the Mediterranean coastal lands of modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon). This wood was so coveted that invading armies often demanded it as tribute.
- Archaeologists found furniture crafted from wood inlaid with bone, ivory or metal that dated as far back as 800 B.C. at Gordion, the alleged home of the mythical King Midas. Near East woodworkers used lathes as well as wedges, mallets, chisels, hammers, drills, plumb bobs, compasses, and other basic tools.
- The wooden windows of the early mosques and private houses still seen today in the Arabic culture were crafted at the height of ancient Near East woodcarving. The Muslim woodcarvers of Persia, Syria, Egypt and Spain designed and created exquisite paneling and other decorations for wall linings, ceilings, pulpits, and all kinds of fittings and furniture. Their woodwork was elaborate and minutely delicate.
Woodworking process have also come from these ancient crafts people, it is amazing what they achieved with ‘primitive’ tools.
The Cooper - 19th Century Artisan In His Workshop
The Cooper, everyone needed him back in the old days. He made barrels, casks, butter churns, tubs, and all sorts of cooperage that one would require. Today, the Cooper has become largely obsolete with the use of plastics, stainless steel, corrugated cardboards used to create containers, but there is still a demand for high quality hand made wooden barrels and it is widely recognized that the skilled Cooper still produces the best of these.
The Cooper, everyone needed him back in the old days. He made barrels, casks, butter churns, tubs, and all sorts of cooperage that one would require. Today, the Cooper has become largely obsolete with the use of plastics, stainless steel, corrugated cardboards used to create containers, but there is still a demand for high quality hand made wooden barrels and it is widely recognized that the skilled Cooper still produces the best of these.
A History of Woodworking Tools:
History of Metalworking.
The oldest archaeological evidence of copper mining and working was the discovery of a copper pendant in northern Iraq from 8,700 BCE. The earliest substantiated and dated evidence of metalworking in the Americas was the processing of copper in Wisconsin, near Lake Michigan. Copper was hammered until brittle then heated so it could be worked some more. This technology is dated to about 4000–5000 BCE. The oldest gold artifacts in the world come from the Bulgarian Varna Necropolis and date from 4450 BCE.
Not all metal required fire to obtain it or work it. Isaac Asimov speculated that gold was the "first metal. "His reasoning is that by its chemistry it is found in nature as nuggets of pure gold. In other words, gold, as rare as it is, is sometimes found in nature as the metal that it is. There are a few other metals that sometimes occur natively, and as a result of meteors. Almost all other metals are found in ores, a mineral-bearing rock, that require heat or some other process to liberate the metal. Another feature of gold is that it is workable as it is found, meaning that no technology beyond a stone hammer and anvil to work the metal is needed. This is a result of gold's properties of malleability and ductility. The earliest tools were stone, bone, wood, and sinew, all of which sufficed to work gold.
At some unknown point the connection between heat and the liberation of metals from rock became clear, rocks rich in copper, tin, and lead came into demand. These ores were mined wherever they were recognized. Remnants of such ancient mines have been found all over Southwestern Asia. Metalworking was being carried out by the South Asian inhabitants of Mehrgarh between 7000–3300 BCE. The end of the beginning of metalworking occurs sometime around 6000 BCE when copper smelting became common in Southwestern Asia.
Ancient civilisations knew of seven metals. Here they are arranged in order of their oxidation potential (in volts):
Copper ore, being relatively abundant, and tin ore became the next important players in the story of metalworking. Using heat to smelt copper from ore, a great deal of copper was produced. It was used for both jewellery and simple tools. However, copper by itself was too soft for tools requiring edges and stiffness. At some point tin was added into the molten copper and bronze was born. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze was an important advance because it had the edge-durability and stiffness that pure copper lacked. Until the advent of iron, bronze was the most advanced metal for tools and weapons in common use (see Bronze Age for more detail).
Outside Southwestern Asia, these same advances and materials were being discovered and used around the world. China and Great Britain jumped into the use of bronze with little time being devoted to copper. Japan began the use of bronze and iron almost simultaneously. In the Americas things were different. Although the peoples of the Americas knew of metals, it wasn't until the European colonisation that metalworking for tools and weapons became common. Jewelry and art were the principal uses of metals in the Americas prior to European influence.
Around 2700 BCE, production of bronze was common in locales where the necessary materials could be assembled for smelting, heating, and working the metal. Iron was beginning to be smelted and began its emergence as an important metal for tools and weapons. The Iron Age was dawning.
History of Ferrous Metallurgy.
By the historical periods of the Pharaohs in Egypt, the Vedic Kings in India, the Tribes of Israel, and the Maya civilisation in North America, among other ancient populations, precious metals began to have value attached to them. In some cases rules for ownership, distribution, and trade were created, enforced, and agreed upon by the respective peoples. By the above periods metalworkers were very skilled at creating objects of adornment, religious artifacts, and trade instruments of precious metals (non-ferrous), as well as weaponry usually of ferrous metals and/or alloys. These skills were finely honed and well executed. The techniques were practiced by artisans, blacksmiths, atharvavedic practitioners, alchemists, and other categories of metalworkers around the globe. For example, the ancient technique of granulation is found around the world in numerous ancient cultures before the historic record shows people traveled to far regions to share this process that is still being used by metalsmiths today.
As time progressed metal objects became more common, and ever more complex. The need to further acquire and work metals grew in importance. Skills related to extracting metal ores from the earth began to evolve, and metalsmiths became more knowledgeable. Metalsmiths became important members of society. Fates and economies of entire civilizations were greatly affected by the availability of metals and metalsmiths. The metalworker depends on the extraction of precious metals to make jewellery, build more efficient electronics, and for industrial and technological applications from construction to shipping containers to rail, and air transport. Without metals, goods and services would cease to move around the globe on the scale we know today.
The oldest archaeological evidence of copper mining and working was the discovery of a copper pendant in northern Iraq from 8,700 BCE. The earliest substantiated and dated evidence of metalworking in the Americas was the processing of copper in Wisconsin, near Lake Michigan. Copper was hammered until brittle then heated so it could be worked some more. This technology is dated to about 4000–5000 BCE. The oldest gold artifacts in the world come from the Bulgarian Varna Necropolis and date from 4450 BCE.
Not all metal required fire to obtain it or work it. Isaac Asimov speculated that gold was the "first metal. "His reasoning is that by its chemistry it is found in nature as nuggets of pure gold. In other words, gold, as rare as it is, is sometimes found in nature as the metal that it is. There are a few other metals that sometimes occur natively, and as a result of meteors. Almost all other metals are found in ores, a mineral-bearing rock, that require heat or some other process to liberate the metal. Another feature of gold is that it is workable as it is found, meaning that no technology beyond a stone hammer and anvil to work the metal is needed. This is a result of gold's properties of malleability and ductility. The earliest tools were stone, bone, wood, and sinew, all of which sufficed to work gold.
At some unknown point the connection between heat and the liberation of metals from rock became clear, rocks rich in copper, tin, and lead came into demand. These ores were mined wherever they were recognized. Remnants of such ancient mines have been found all over Southwestern Asia. Metalworking was being carried out by the South Asian inhabitants of Mehrgarh between 7000–3300 BCE. The end of the beginning of metalworking occurs sometime around 6000 BCE when copper smelting became common in Southwestern Asia.
Ancient civilisations knew of seven metals. Here they are arranged in order of their oxidation potential (in volts):
- Iron +0.44 V,
- Tin +0.14 V
- Lead +0.13 V
- Copper −0.34 V
- Mercury −0.79 V
- Silver −0.80 V
- Gold −1.50 V.
Copper ore, being relatively abundant, and tin ore became the next important players in the story of metalworking. Using heat to smelt copper from ore, a great deal of copper was produced. It was used for both jewellery and simple tools. However, copper by itself was too soft for tools requiring edges and stiffness. At some point tin was added into the molten copper and bronze was born. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze was an important advance because it had the edge-durability and stiffness that pure copper lacked. Until the advent of iron, bronze was the most advanced metal for tools and weapons in common use (see Bronze Age for more detail).
Outside Southwestern Asia, these same advances and materials were being discovered and used around the world. China and Great Britain jumped into the use of bronze with little time being devoted to copper. Japan began the use of bronze and iron almost simultaneously. In the Americas things were different. Although the peoples of the Americas knew of metals, it wasn't until the European colonisation that metalworking for tools and weapons became common. Jewelry and art were the principal uses of metals in the Americas prior to European influence.
Around 2700 BCE, production of bronze was common in locales where the necessary materials could be assembled for smelting, heating, and working the metal. Iron was beginning to be smelted and began its emergence as an important metal for tools and weapons. The Iron Age was dawning.
History of Ferrous Metallurgy.
By the historical periods of the Pharaohs in Egypt, the Vedic Kings in India, the Tribes of Israel, and the Maya civilisation in North America, among other ancient populations, precious metals began to have value attached to them. In some cases rules for ownership, distribution, and trade were created, enforced, and agreed upon by the respective peoples. By the above periods metalworkers were very skilled at creating objects of adornment, religious artifacts, and trade instruments of precious metals (non-ferrous), as well as weaponry usually of ferrous metals and/or alloys. These skills were finely honed and well executed. The techniques were practiced by artisans, blacksmiths, atharvavedic practitioners, alchemists, and other categories of metalworkers around the globe. For example, the ancient technique of granulation is found around the world in numerous ancient cultures before the historic record shows people traveled to far regions to share this process that is still being used by metalsmiths today.
As time progressed metal objects became more common, and ever more complex. The need to further acquire and work metals grew in importance. Skills related to extracting metal ores from the earth began to evolve, and metalsmiths became more knowledgeable. Metalsmiths became important members of society. Fates and economies of entire civilizations were greatly affected by the availability of metals and metalsmiths. The metalworker depends on the extraction of precious metals to make jewellery, build more efficient electronics, and for industrial and technological applications from construction to shipping containers to rail, and air transport. Without metals, goods and services would cease to move around the globe on the scale we know today.
Those ores and metals that could be smelted and melted at lower temperatures were used before the ores and metals which had higher smelting and melting points. This meant that copper, and its alloy bronze, were used before iron and its alloy steel. Pure metals, like copper and iron, were used before alloys such as, bronze and steel, as the manufacture of alloys is more complicated than the manufacture of pure metals.
Wollongong in 1887.
The majority of photos are from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society" [Wollongong City Council Policy number 9.6].
Maps: Eardley, Gifford Henry (1968), Transporting the Black Diamond Book 1. Canberra: Traction Publications Page 61.
Photo of the E17 Class Locomotive at the road crossing is from the State Records NSW.
Image NRS 17420_a014_a014000335
Maps: Eardley, Gifford Henry (1968), Transporting the Black Diamond Book 1. Canberra: Traction Publications Page 61.
Photo of the E17 Class Locomotive at the road crossing is from the State Records NSW.
Image NRS 17420_a014_a014000335