Blackall Range Woodies, Maleny, Woodworkers

Our resident librarian, keeper of a clean smoko room and very clever carver, Audrey was born in 1925 and spent her formative years in Sydney. Her first job saw her closely associated with timber as it was as a clerk in the Joiners Shop at the Cockatoo Island Shipbuilding Yard. At that time Tribal Class Destroyers were being built and the Joiners Shop had the job of making the beautiful furniture for the Officers’ Mess.

Watching the craftsmen at work helped Audrey develop a strong interest in woodwork. On leaving Cockatoo Island she joined the WAAF, firstly as a clerk then was remustered to become a Cinema Operator where she ran both 16 and 35mm projectors using carbon ark technology.

At the same time her interest in books saw her adopt the role of Stations Librarian.

After the war Audrey attended East Sydney Technical Art School at night and worked for an Antique Restorer during the day. Duties here included making arms for Cupids and painting roses etc on vases which in turn led to her love of beautiful china.

Love was in the air and in 1950 Audrey caught the eye of a physicist called Peter Kelly who duly proposed and they married in that year. Audrey and Peter helped Australia’s population growth by producing four boys and three girls and as Audrey says “I am a very proud parent”. A move to the sunny state of Queensland in 1969 saw the family settle in Chelmer and although Audrey and Peter divorced in 1977 they are still the best of friends.

To demonstrate her multi skilling Audrey moved to Townsville in 1989 and with her daughter Clare and son in- law opened an Italian restaurant. This was successfully run for 10 years during which time Audrey found time to attend a beginner’s course in wood carving at the Townsville Tech. With her daughter Ame living in Maleny Audrey moved to Mapleton to be close to family and in her words “I have a dear little house with a beautiful view so who would live anywhere else!”. Ina Mallet’ carving group proved an attraction and after some time as a member of that group Audrey also joined BRWG in 1996. Thank goodness she did!! Thanks Audrey, from all our members, for your never ending efforts with our smoko room, library, Open Days, EXPOs and Christmas parties.

We promise to clean up the smoko room and to put the magazines back in the correct order in future.