Special pens for homesick Aussie troops. Photo: Alan Hurst By Geoff Ellis
THE Wonthaggi Woodies are turning timber into pens.
The Woodies have been entrusted with a load of timber that has great historical significance. The tree it came from is directly descended from the original Gallipoli Lone Pine which grew from a seedling planted at Inverloch Cemetery some decades ago.
'Pens for The Troops' is a nationwide community-based project that lets Australian military personnel serving overseas know that folks back home are thinking of them. The hand-made pens are presented on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day to everyone from commanders to those down the line as a morale booster for people who are far from home.
THE Wonthaggi Woodies are turning timber into pens.
The Woodies have been entrusted with a load of timber that has great historical significance. The tree it came from is directly descended from the original Gallipoli Lone Pine which grew from a seedling planted at Inverloch Cemetery some decades ago.
'Pens for The Troops' is a nationwide community-based project that lets Australian military personnel serving overseas know that folks back home are thinking of them. The hand-made pens are presented on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day to everyone from commanders to those down the line as a morale booster for people who are far from home.
Over 3000 pens have now been made by clubs and individuals across Australia using a variety of Australian woods. The local lone pine appears to be the only such tree used in the project and will have added significance to the recipients as tangible links to the original Anzacs as well as to home.
The Lone pine timber. Photo: Geoff Ellis Two years ago The Woodies set up a production line for the preparation, finishing and packaging of pens. Eleven members conducted a working bee and produced 112 pens in one day to add to other pens made previously by individual members. 152 pens were sent away. They anticipated having another working bee last year but lockdowns put paid to that.
The Woodies are now cutting their Lone Pine into strips to speed up the drying process, then they will be turned into pens that are individually packaged with a personal message and sent to nominated, deployed personnel who will distribute them.
They are hoping to complete this batch as soon as it is viable and will make other items from the timber to donate to RSLs.
The Woodies have received many heartfelt letters of thanks from service people 'over there' to mark the special importance of their work.
They would like to acknowledge the Wonthaggi and Inverloch branches of the RSL who have supported the project and provided funds to buy hardware kits and associated materials for the pen production.
The Woodies are now cutting their Lone Pine into strips to speed up the drying process, then they will be turned into pens that are individually packaged with a personal message and sent to nominated, deployed personnel who will distribute them.
They are hoping to complete this batch as soon as it is viable and will make other items from the timber to donate to RSLs.
The Woodies have received many heartfelt letters of thanks from service people 'over there' to mark the special importance of their work.
They would like to acknowledge the Wonthaggi and Inverloch branches of the RSL who have supported the project and provided funds to buy hardware kits and associated materials for the pen production.
Pen production line … the Wonthaggi Woodies at work on the lathes. Photo: Alan Hurst