LEAF COUNTER
Not including leaves at the Californian
and London collection points.
News
A major branch of the tree under construction
Thursday 10 December
The leaves from London have arrived in Australia! Five boxes weighing around 30kg each came in a couple of days ago. We are expecting the leaves from California to arrive some time today. It will take us a while to photograph, count and catalogue them all, so expect to see photos some time in the New Year. Thankyou to all the wonderful people who made this possible; the good people at Qantas Freight, Eamon Tansey and Rob Rickards in Australia, Shawn Lovell, Eden Sanders and Brian Cardoza in the USA, Lucy Quinell, Sean Taylor and John Bruce in the UK, the blacksmiths in the Ukraine who got the European leaves to London and all our other organisers.
Left and Centre: The pole in Strathewen that illustrates the estimated height of the tree Right: First rough model of the tree
Our Head Blacksmith and Surveyor, Doug Tarrant found a good pole just outside the Strathewen meeting centre where he could illustrate how tall the tree is likely to be. If the tree is roughly 8m tall, it will just touch the base of the 'pot' on the pole. If you're in Strathewen, you'll see Doug's mark on the pole. He's also supplied us with our first rough image of what the tree might look like at that height and with around 3000 leaves. The Strathewen Community Renewal Association is currently considering a number of possible sites for the tree.
Kath and Ash, recently engaged!
We would like to announce our first Tree Project romance! Blacksmith and Engineer Ash Naylor recently proposed to his girlfriend Katherine Smith, also an Engineer working on the Tree Project. They will be married late next year. Congratulations!
Saturday 28 November
Our leaves from London are on the move. Qantas Freight report that five boxes of leaves from the blacksmiths of the UK and Europe are at the freight depot in London ready to be flown to Australia. The leaves from California are not far behind.
Sunday 15 November
The Open Gardens event was held in Nillumbik shire this weekend. The Open Gardens is a day where local people open up their gardens for the public. As part of this event, Doug and Cliff forged some leaves at the Arthurs Creek Hall. The hall is a landmark in the area and served as a relief centre for many weeks after the Black Saturday fires. On display we had a branch for the tree that Doug has put together. Our huge branch with 400 leaves is a little hard to transport, so this little branch with its lovely gumnuts was a perfect size to bring to the event. Many thanks to Pam who works at every one of our demonstration events as support crew. Thanks also to Gayle and Lois, Open Gardens organisers, for having us.
Left: Doug forging Right: A branch for the tree, assembled by Doug.
Left: Detail of branch Right: A rare photo of Cliff smiling for the camera
Doug and Cliff at the forge
The BBQ was excellent.
Left: The best home-made lemon cordial Right: Flowers at the raffle table
Sunday 8 November
Many thanks to Eltham Rotary Club for having us at the Eltham Town Fair, a brilliant event full of market stalls, live music, talent shows, art shows and great food and wine. It was an exceptionally hot day, yet Doug and Steve battled the heat and forged away to the fascination of many young boys who had never seen a blacksmith at work before. We didn't have a camera at this event, so if anyone has a good picture of the blacksmiths please send it to us!
Wednesday 14 October
We've been so busy, it's been a while since we've updated the news. Most significantly, we've now received over 2000 leaves and, with Qantas Freight, we are currently organising to bring the leaves from London and California to Australia which will up the count even more. We're also preparing for our next meeting with our wonderful volunteer engineers and working on getting pictures of all the blacksmiths leaves we've received up on the website. Recently we've celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) with lots of forging, an exhibition and free demonstrations for local schools. We've also travelled up to the Gold Coast to attend the AFAC Conference and run a forging demonstration there and meet some of the amazing people from outside Victoria who came to our state to work following Black Saturday. See below for photos from the AFAC Conference and our 20th Anniversary.
22-25 September
The 16th annual Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council Conference was held on the Gold Coast this September. The conference is attended by around 2000 firefighters, researchers and emergency management professionals. Over the course of three days many seminars are held to present the latest developments in emergency service research and practice. There's some pretty nifty gear on display too, including trucks, boats, pumps and mystifying technology.
Many thanks to AFAC, especially Naomi Brown, for inviting and sponsoring a few of us to be there and represent the Tree Project. We were joined by three great Queenslanders who helped with our forging demonstration during the conference. Matt Russell, who couldn't stay for the forging during the day, dropped his anvil and some gear off to for us to use. Blacksmith Mike Dowdall and his assistant David Porter stayed for the forging and, along with Doug and Cliff, produced some stainless steel leaves and branches for the tree. We'd like to thank the very cool blacksmith from Mt. Isa who, although he couldn't attend the conference, sent a couple of petrol vouchers to us to give the QLD blacksmiths.
We were touched to meet people who hadn't heard of the Tree Project, but who had been in Victoria fighting the Black Saturday fires or working on the immediate recovery. They were very happy to learn of the project and watch the forging. We had some great leaves on display from blacksmiths around the world. Getting a lot of attention is our collection of beautiful copper leaves made by first year jewellery apprentices from NMIT, Preston, also the bronze sprig from Bjoern Loenze from Germany, the three leaves from Jim Masterton from Tennesse and the leaf with the cute bug from Joseph Blodgett. The Black Saturday fires were a big topic at the conference and many people were interested in the Tree Project.
On the day of the forging, the Gold Coast was hit with a huge dust storm. One moment a perfect Queensland day, the next a scene from Mars. Be glad you don't have to wash all the fire trucks.
That's Mike on the left from Queensland and, on the right, our Victorian blacksmith Doug forging at the AFAC Conference.
Left: Cliff (from Vic) forging, with David (from Qld) cranking the forge blower Right: Mike
Left: Doug Right: Cliff
Forge and anvils at the AFAC Conference
Left: Leaves and branch forged at the AFAC Conference Right: The new Mobile Control Vehicle for firefighters. It has a huge touchscreen on the side that plots the progress of a fire.
From left: David, Mike, Cliff and Doug
From left: Cliff, Matt (from Queensland, who lent us some of his forging gear,) and Doug
17-20 September
The Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) Inc. celebrated its 20th Anniversary at The Briars Park, Mt. Martha this weekend. Following two days of school demonstrations, the main event began on Friday night with an opening of an exhibition of blacksmiths' work. On display was a branch of the tree with around 400 leaves. We had over 30 blacksmiths attend the event and even the wives and girlfriends had a leaf forging class during the weekend. Many blacksmiths came from afar including a couple from Western Australia, a few from NSW and the ACT and a great group from South Australia who are starting the first South Australian Blacksmiths' Association.
Hundreds of people came to watch the forging events and be inspired by the metalwork. We would like to thank the Days of Knights and Chips the Viking Jeweller for being part of the celebrations and for showing their unique skills. Very special thanks to the staff at The Briars Park for having us and who, for months, helped us organise and promote the event. (Especially Sue and Steve, thanks!)
Part of the branch of the tree that went on display at the 20th Anniversary Celebration. (We are still looking for a good photo of the finished branch,) and some branches being sorted, ready to be added to the tree.
The opening night of the blacksmiths' 20th Anniversary Celebrations, tree branch in foreground
Left: Tree Project blacksmiths Phil, (Paul's dad who came down from Canberra for the event,) Doug and Paul Right: Event organisers Nick, (also working on the tree,) and Keith, (with a gold medal performance on the BBQ over the weekend.)
This beautiful copper branch was forged by Rod Heron. It will be sponsored by the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria and added to the tree. The treatment Rod has given the leaves gives an idea of what the other copper leaves will eventually look like after weathering— changing from a bright copper to green. At the very beginning of the Tree Project, one of the blacksmiths on the online forum had the idea of including copper leaves on the tree for precisely this reason, eventually the copper leaves will resemble new growth.
Tuesday 25 August
From France to Australia. (This world map from 1967 was hanging in one of the Qantas Freight offices.)
Today we received a box of 76 beautiful leaves from France. These were made by a group of blacksmiths at Carillons d'Enclumes, in June. Carillons d'Enclumes means 'anvil chimes' and is a two day blacksmithing event held in Fontenilles, South of France.
The blacksmiths of Lou Foc
From our friends in France in May this year:
Hello Blacksmith,
We are a small blacksmith association in the South West of France, called "Lou Foc" which in ancient local dialect means "the fire". We'd like to participate in the Tree project and make leaves for your tree, during a open demonstration that we'll hold on June 20-21st. We'll have some Blacksmith friends around and some of them will probably like the idea too.
Some of us work for Airbus in Toulouse, and I happen to work with Qantas on their A380s. They will gladly carry our package back home.
Life is only worth being shared, bit by bit, and we'd be honoured to share some bits of ours in your gumtree...
Philippe Milési
Association Lou Foc - Président
Forge de Fontenilles
From July this year:
Bonjour Paul,
Last 20-21 June during our Carillons d'Enclumes, some 39 blacksmithes could make 67 leaves and nuts. We are still collecting some and are up to 74 today. It is not a lot, but all have been made from the heart. Everyone loved the idea, and was proud to participate.
We also had stainless steel rods for free from a scrapyard where we left the owner with this wide smile on his face like, "Here's why I woke up this morning. Just help yourself boys, as much as you need!"
Although we widely spread your dimensional requirements, they may not all correspond to specs, except for stainless steel and copper. French are a bit like that.
The next Qantas A380 is due leaving Toulouse Late July or early August. The Qantas crew is already in Toulouse for technical follow-up, and they all came several times to our demonstration, where they sure had a good time (and some of a surprise also...) They will carry the box with our leaves for your tree, along with the list of all the smiths that have made them.
Have a good "bing bing" day
Philippe
Blacksmiths making leaves for the tree at Carillons d'Enclumes
Blacksmiths making leaves for the tree at Carillons d'Enclumes
Left: Young blacksmith in France making leaves for the tree. Right: Leaves at Carillons d'Enclumes
Leaves bound for Australia. From left: Frederick Desgeorge; Secretary of Lou Foc Blacksmithing Association and Product Support working at Airbus, Peter O'Donohue; Senior Technical Representative, Toulouse, Geoff Moore; Production Inspection, Toulouse, Captain Mark Penklis; Operating Captain for delivery flight to Australia of VH-OQD, Philippe Milesi; Coordinator and maker of leaves for The Tree Project and Customer Inspection Manager working at Airbus
The VH-OQD just prior to departure from Toulouse to Australia carrying the leaves
From the letter enclosed with the leaves sent to Australia:
Last 20 & 21 June in Fontenilles, South of France, the local blacksmithing Lou Foc association decided to join the A.B.A. Tree Project during their yearly Carillons d'Enclumes demonstration.
Some 40 blacksmiths answered the call and 76 leaves and nuts were made. Some are young, some know better, some are master craftsmen, some are French, some are not, all shared a bit of their big heart with their Australian copmpanions, and all were happy and pround to participate in the Tree Project.
Hearfelt thanks to the blacksmiths of Lou Foc for their contribution to the Tree Project, c'est magnifique! Merci bien. Thanks also to the good people at Qantas Freight who delivered the leaves to us free of charge.
The groovy blue box from France contained 76 copper and stainless steel leaves, pictures of the blacksmiths and posters of their blacksmithing event.
Left: Greg Spiker from Qantas Freight hands the box of leaves to Paul Mills today. Right: Some of the leaves from France.
Wednesday 12 August
Our first meeting with engineers. At the moment we're discussing the substructure of the tree (steel roots and concrete), transport (cranes & a large truck), assembly and installation. This is our first stage of planning the major construction and fabrication.
Tuesday 11 August
The tree is closer to finding a home. Tonight the Strathewen Community Renewal Association formally accepted the tree to be placed in Strathewen. Although the tree is for everyone affected by the fires, those who lost their lives and all those who fought the fires, we know that the community of Strathewen will provide a beautiful and peaceful place for the tree. With still much planning and rebuilding ahead of them, the Strathewen community will take time to consider the best place. Thankyou to the Strathewen Community Renewal Association for their warm welcome.
Monday 3 August
The weekend of August 1st & 2nd was a working event for blacksmiths forging leaves and branches and for welders assembling the branches. This was our largest turnout of blacksmiths and welders with over 25 attending, bringing portable forges, anvils and TIG welding machines. On Saturday evening Flannagan's Mob entertained the blacksmiths and guests with Irish music. Food for the two days was kindly provided by the local people of Cottles Bridge. Many thanks to Colleen & Paul, Alison & Peter, Sandra, Annette & Gary, Sian & Rob, Pam & Rachel (great cupcakes!), Pete and Rachel, Sandie, Vicky, Maree & Brian, Kathryn & Ash for stamping leaves, Flannagan's Mob and Kennards for the loos. Many of the leaves made have gone to various blacksmith's workshops to be stamped, so haven't been counted yet, we estimate around 200 leaves were made over the weekend as well as many branches that the welders will continue to piece together over the next week.
Left: The blacksmiths filled our local workshop and spilled outside with portable forges. Right: Adam at work
Left: Rick Right: Jack
Left: Doug and Bruce Right: Newly made leaves
Left: The music started in the afternoon while the blacksmiths hammered out leaves Right: Dinner!
Left: Welders Mark and Andrew Right: Welders Nick and Simon
Left: Flannagan's Mob playing in the early evening Right: A branch for the tree takes shape
Flannagan's Mob outside the blacksmith's workshop. This workshop and the bush you see behind it is only 2km from the southern edge of the Black Saturday fire front and was saved, along with many other properties, by the efforts of Arthurs Creek, South Morang and Hurstbridge CFA firefighters on that day.