Welding Women Working Wonders

OBERON artist and sculptor Harrie Fasher led local women through a two day welding workshop to produce sculptures which will be on display during the horse festival at the Scone Arts and Crafts Centre.

Nicole O’Reagan and Annie Rodgers welding sculptures in Gundy.

There was a waiting list of forty women for the course and the lucky ten participants brought along scrap metal like horse shoes, barrel rings, rabbit traps, springs and old tools and transformed them over two days as they learned to weld.

Ellenor Nixon of Merriwa, an assistant manager on her family’s property who is studying Animal Science, applied for the workshop.

“It sounded like a fun way to learn,” said Ms Nixon.

Dale Fitz-Gerald, who runs her Brawboy property and does night work at a stud said a combination of necessity and creativity motivated her to participate.

“With my property I need to maintain and construct but I am also moving into creative welding,” she said.

The workshop was conducted in conjunction with Caroline Hayes, rural support worker for NSW Department of Primary Industries.

“During the workshop there was a strong focus on how tapping into our creative side can help develop emotional resilience and foster well being,” Ms Hayes said.

Council are considering running another workshop in the future.