Session Leaders
Rob Oram
In 2009 Rob joined the Woodworkers of the Southern Peninsula (WoSP). A year later he became a session leader. His career has given him the experience has made him a very valuable session leader to WoSP.
After leaving school Rob started a fitting & machinery apprenticeship. During this time he worked for a company that made earth moving equipment, diesel generators & excavators. On completion of the apprenticeship he moved into the drawing office and started to draft the types of equipment he previously worked on.
Rob then became a Secondary school teacher and for 22 years taught graphic communication & woodwork. Some of his students over this time were either disadvantaged or had mental health issues.
Five years prior to his retirement Rob ran his own cabinet making business.
On club Open Days for people are amazed at the quality of the jewelry boxes & furniture he has made.
Members who attend his sessions are really appreciative of the help & guidance they receive.
Rod Bew
Rod is an excellent person to teach beginners to wood turning. Rob will ensure you get the time to understand the lathe, the chisels & the technique to wood turn correctly.
Greg Knox
Greg joined WoSP in 2014 and has only recently taken on the role of session leader. Greg is definitely a handyman & a wood worker. His workshop at home stores a vast amount of exotic timbers plus the equipment to undertake most projects.
He joined the club for its social availability of being able to talk to other people who liked working with wood. It just so happened his session leader at the time was John Kremser, a self-trained but very professional wood turner. John’s work would be proudly displayed on anybody’s mantel piece. John encouraged all those attending his sessions to draw, plan & then execute their project
As one of his attendees Greg has adopted his approach and applied it to turning and wood work in general.
Greg has an easy going nature and aims for his attendees to learn & go home with something they are proud to show their family & friends. Consequently Greg, as the new Friday session leader, has eased into the role without a hiccup. He is happy to pass on the knowledge he has learnt over the years.
Colin Dobson
Previously Colin worked in the computer industry but has always liked working with wood.
Since his retirement he has developed his skills as a wood turner & general handyman. Now he teaches and challenges you to develop your wood turning skills.
Dennis Conner
Dennis joined WoSP in 2005. He should have the nick name of “No More Gaps” as there does not appear to be anything he does not put a hand too. He continues to assist with the extensions, making toys and working on outside projects, some of which provide the club additional income. Then he is organising the Christmas party & other social functions. His quiet demeanor tends to hide the amount of work he does as he always seems to pick up the jobs no one else wants. Currently working as a session leader, he is able to help anyone with their general handyman project.
Gaven Davis
Gaven spent many years in the Housing Industry and became a Registered Builder. He established his own building company which continued for 20 years until he retired.
In 2003 he built a house in Rye and permanently moved there from Wheelers Hill in 2011
Since joining the club in 2014 Gaven has developed his wood turning ability & with his practical building skills has proven to be an excellent session leader.
Gaven enjoys challenging himself with new methods and different types of wood. He enjoys a team environment and as a member of the Wednesday Toymakers he works with the group to construct toys for children at Christmas.
Ron Higgins
Ron Higgins seems to have been a session leader forever. His pen making skills excel as demonstrated when he turned the timber of one pen side grain.
Initially the sessions were on a Monday evening and that was popular with anyone working 9-5. Since having to move the session to Monday afternoon , due to dust extractor noise, the sessions are quieter & Ron has more time to assist anyone should they need assistance with their general woodworking or turning.
Tony Haigh
After leaving school Tony joined the RAF and served in various places around the world including Woomera. After 15 years he emigrated back to Australia and continued his career in the IT field. When he retired, wood turning became a passion, and he joined the Peninsula Woodturners Guild.
Seeking warmer climates, he moved to Queensland and became a member firstly of the Blackall Range Woodcrafters Guild and then the Caloundra Woodworking Club.
After 5 years family reasons caused a move back to Victoria and back to the Peninsula Woodturners Guild.
In 2019 Tony joined the Woodworkers of the Southern Peninsula (WoSP). A year later he became a session leader.
Tony enjoys the challenge of exploring new ideas and sharing the knowledge to help others.
Tony enjoys all aspects of wood turning, but likes to share his love of tool making and the more complex aspects of the art.