Australian Wood Review – June 2017

The 5.6 metre speed boat Eleanora
drew attention from crowds who
appreciated its high level of finish. It
was five years ago, at the age of 20, that
Ben Brayshaw, now an RMIT graduate
of furniture and industrial design,
started building the boat in his garage.

On Friday Feb 10, the first day,
things got off to a relaxed start. A
smoking ceremony and welcome to
country took place on a boat that
cruised into into Sullivan’s Cove
on the tail of a bark canoe that was
paddled steadily ahead of it. The
first parade of sail, scheduled around
noon got off to a slow start due to
wind conditions, but still delighted
the crowds as tall ships and other
boats docked on the waterfront.

At sea various events including
parades of sail, cruises, skiff races
captivated the crowds. Numerous
stalls offered street food, while
buskers, street theatre and programs

of music on Parliament lawns

entertained ever-present crowds.

A marquis featured a range of artisans

demonstrating trades associated with

boatbuilding, including wire splitting,

split cane rod making, ornamental

knot tying, scrimshaw and other

crafts. Outside the marquis were

displays relating to early boat building

technology which focused on use of

the axe and shaping logs.

On the last day, a multitude of boats,

ships and other craft marked the end

of the event with a ‘sail past’ down the

Derwent River.

The next Australian Wooden Boat

Festival will take place in 2019 and

the guest country will be the USA

with 400 US sailors tipped to attend.

If you love boats and woodworking,

this is one festival that you should

definitely plan to visit.

See http://www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au

http://www.woodreview.com.au 89

FEATURE

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