Ancient trades alive and well in Port of Echuca

“I’ve been working with leather for the past 43 years. I started in 1980. I did training with a saddle maker and wanted to make a bridle and reins for my horse,” the Tongala resident said.

“While I make many belts and key rings for clients, I also make western saddles.”

Despite the many popular items, such as belts and gear for horses, there are some strange items that Jenni will make for herself.

“One of the most challenging items I made was a leather vest in 1995. There were many sleepless nights. In the end, the vest turned out well,” she said.

“My usual day consists of working between 10 and 12 hours daily. I plan on carrying on with this job until I can no longer.”

Mrs Croft also has students that she has taught over the years.

“Many of the students that I teach get hooked straight away. One of my students has been with me for 30 years,” she said.

Fellow volunteer Rob Blamey works with wood.

The cars and trucks, along with the beautifully hand-crafted jewellery boxes and wooden boards for the kitchen, were all made by Mr Blamey in his shed.

“When I first entered the workforce, I did an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker before I went into dairy farming,” he said.

“This hobby keeps me out of the house and in the shed for many hours daily.”

While Mr Blamey spent five decades in the dairy industry, he always wanted to return to his passion.

“I always thought that once I retired, I would return to working with wood,” he said.

“It’s a joy when you put all the long hours and hard work into a toy and a customer appreciates them.

“I sell the products at the Girgarre market, which is on a couple of times a month. I also make toys for Christmas, and I donate the toys to St Vinnie’s.”

Another of the presenters is Margaret Wilson, who has mastered basket weaving.

“I’ve been making baskets for the past 10 years. As a child, I would watch my mother make baskets of various sizes,” she said.

“The art of basket weaving grew from when people were hunter-gatherers when we didn’t have pockets or clothing.”

While basket weaving had its heyday five decades ago, Mrs Wilson is working to ensure children know about the many trades of yesteryear.

“Basket weaving was popular in the late 1960s and ’70s. Home decor was all about using natural resources, and Country Women’s Association members and the Red Cross made all sorts of items, such as lampshades, blinds, rugs, mats and bowls,” she said.

“I think many people don’t realise what’s in their backyards or along roadsides that can be made into baskets that have been used since the dawn of time and were created out of necessity.”

During her professional career, the master craftswoman worked in the health sector.

“I worked as a nurse for 50 years. Initially, I worked as a medical and surgical nurse for the first 30 years and then as an aged care nurse for the final 20 years,” she said.

The final presenter was Marion Wheatland, who has spent three decades spinning a variety of animal fur.

“I’ve been spinning yarn for the past 30 years, and this is one of the few times that I’ve demonstrated the old art of spinning,” Mrs Wheatland said.

“After three decades of spinning different types of yarn, it has become automatic. My feet and hands know what they’re doing and work together effortlessly.”

The talented spinner has worked with different types of fur but now has a new passion.

“While I have worked with alpaca, mohair and sheep’s wool, my favourite is working with dog fur. Some of the things customers make with the hair once spun into yarn are blankets and mittens,” she said.

The Canadian-turned-Australian works in retail but would work as a spinner full-time.

“I work in retail as a sales assistant, but I would love to be able to do this on a full-time basis. I try to do this for at least two hours daily, as I find the hobby relaxing,” she said.

“I have a total of 28 wheels, which I lend out to clients or I supply them to students who would like to learn the craft.”