Meet#29 Ray Bellette of Natural Timber Oils

Born in Melbourne of Ukrainian parents, Serge has always had an interest in fine woodworking. Serge completed an apprenticeship in Engineering Patternmaking at the Victorian Railways Newport workshop where, for 25 years, he constructed patterns for train parts including historic steam train parts for the Puffing Billy. He also worked as a contract patternmaker for GCF, a foundry in Footscray, that made heavy castings for the mining industry. 

During 35 years as a patternmaker, he acquired skills as a craftsman in woodturning, model making and sculpture, winning many woodwork awards, including first prize in the Australian Working with Wood Show and first prize at the Royal Melbourne Show. His works are mainly made from recycled Australian native timbers such as Huon Pine, King Billy Pine, Kauri, Red Gum and Blackwood.  Serge is a founding member of the Altona woodworkers Club. 

Serge will talk about how he makes his extraordinarily lifelike wooden insects which can be seen on www.woodnart.weebly.com