Wednesday 26 June 2013

Richmond Valley Woodcrafters & Phillip Consalvo


 My first dealing with House With No Steps  was when at school and we had a visit from someone from the centre along with someone in a wheelchair.
Little did  know back then that over the years I would have closer ties with them through work life. When a coach driver I took groups who were raising funds for the House With No Steps to visit the centre at Belrose. Years later, on tour on the north coast we visited the centre at Alstonville just prior its opening. To see that they are still actively helping the community is amazing. 
Then a mate got a job in the office admin and he asked if I could organise a Hunter Valley wine trip which I did. What an amazing day staff and people from with in the facility and some how lived outside. One fellow who was wheelchair bound had traveled the world he sat beside me in his small wheelchair while I drove the coach a man full of life and knowledge. Those who could walk on did so and some had to be carried. By days end carers refused to carry them on and off that was after 4 wineries, lunch and all the tastings. The last top was Dr Jurds at WollombiI raced over to tell staff form Dr Jurds our problem soon jugs and glasses were being passed around the coach for tasting we left there with 4 boxes of Dr Jurds thats besides what was already in the luggage bin.





Richmond Valley Woodcrafters
Address:
House With No Steps, 253 Wardell Rd, Alstonville, NSW 2477



Operating Hours
Tuesday to Saturday inclusive: 9am to about 3pm.
Other times available by prior agreement with the Workshop Manager or Supervisors.
 Membership:
‘The club is incorporated as  a not-for-profit organisation to provide woodcrafting facilities for members of all ages and abilities.  Special facilities are available for physically disabled people.’
House With No Steps Relationship:
Located within the House With No Steps complex [near the Nursery] the club is part of their attractions and tours of their site include a visit to the workshop where club activities can be observed.
Workshop description:
‘ The recently completed 24mx10m workshop is now operating. Full workshop capability will gradually be realized as experience allows us to improve and eventually finalise the layout of the work areas.  The facility boasts a large wood-drying/storage shed on site. Additionally, an extension to the rear of the workshop is currently under construction.  The workshop operates under the control of Workshop Supervisors with formal Workshop Operating Procedures and OH&S Procedures in place.
G’day Ray

I was asked to reply to your recent email to our Club regarding people with a disability doing wood work

I  am a paraplegic (T8,9) and enjoy wood turning and other woodworking projects  .

I personally have a Carb-a-tec  Lathe , I chose this one because it came with a cheap base and had a swivel head for outboard turning,

I built my own stand , just high enough to allow my knees to clear the bed.   

I am very fortunate to be a member of the Richmond Valley Woodcrafters Club as they have been very supportive and only too willing to adapt a lathe and a Bandsaw
to my height requirements , and also made the workshop wheelchair friendly.

As far as  these purpose built lathes for people with a disability , I personally have not had any experience with them and probably could not afford to own one ,

I only turn for enjoyment and to keep my mind active, so it can become a bit expensive if you are not careful

I hope this answers a few of your questions and would be happy to hear from you in the future

Phillip J Consalvo

Thanks Richomnd Valley and Phillip for your in put, I am going to have to come up with some questions I think for those and myself as to how and what you do what you do.

Ray.

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