A thick layer of sand mixed with putty and paint dressed two planks of oregon. Weathered and marked but still sturdy, Andrew Krotz cherished the connection the planks offered to his late father, painter Rudi Krotz of Old Bar.
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For decades Rudi had climbed ladders to stand for hours on the gritty surface of each plank as he worked to paint homes and businesses in the Manning Valley. The planks travelled with him to job after job but following his death in 2010, Andrew and Rudi’s wife, Joan decided to put them away.
Five years on, in early November 2015, Andrew looked to the planks and acted to give them a second life - he decided to create a table that would bring the planks into the home of his mother and give him the opportunity to be mindful of his father and learn new skills. Today, with the guidance of About Inclusion mentor and support worker, Terry Wright and Taree Men’s Shed, the table is almost complete.
This week Andrew and Terry worked with sanding blocks wrapped in fine grit sandpaper to prepare the table for varnish. The end of the project is close but they both have enjoyed the journey of creating the table -it’s been a catalyst for conversations and memories that Andrew happily shared with Terry and other men at Taree Men’s Shed.
The Krotz family moved to Old Bar in 1978 and Andrew was quick to share his first impression of the Manning Valley at the age of eight years.
“It was just after the big flood and the whole place was this ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ green. I’m going down Old Bar Road, and it still had all the trees over it, and everything was so green, I really remember it and it's never been that green again,” Andrew said.
Old Bar is still Andrew’s home but every Tuesday he comes to Taree to work with Terry at The Men’s Shed or at About Inclusion in Wynter Street for three hours to create the table.
They both cite the task of resurfacing the planks as the toughest job.
“When dad did his apprenticeship in Germany they taught him to cover the planks in a mixture of sand, putty and a little bit of paint. It was the safety, non-slip stuff of the day and so the planks were completely covered in that, both sides and it had been really rubbed in,” Andrew said.
“It took a good three or four weeks just to get that off the planks and we had the best of gear to get it off!” Terry added.
“They are now beautiful pieces of wood and I’ve absolutely enjoyed the transformation process. I feel very proud and I’m sure mum will be pleased once I get it finished,” Andrew added.
Terry speaks highly of Taree Men’s Shed and the benefits of the About Inclusion collaboration with young men and he laughs and acts to fist-pump the air when asked if he values the male-only environment.
“Taree Men’s Shed is very supportive of all our groups. The guys are very proud of Andrew and his project and their encouragement and interest is important,” Terry said.
“The men-only environment gives Andrew the opportunity to discuss men’s issues where he feels fairly safe and that’s important. With all the young men I am working with, they also have that opportunity, they will also hear the men discussing issues and they get another perspective.”
Andrew adds that he really enjoys the interaction with the men at Taree Men’s Shed.
“It’s really good because you have got a lot of guys who have worked in different fields and they bring so many different experiences and relate them to us. It’s really helpful when they do that.”
Andrew says he has learned a great deal, and not just technical skills – he smiles and adds “patience is something woodwork will teach you.”
