Handcrafted toys add sunshine to Christmas
Some of the beautiful wooden toys crafted by the Sunshine Coast retirees. (Photos by Leanne Harrison)
Brightly-painted rocking horses and kid-sized deck chairs are just some of the surprises ready in Santa’s workshop thanks to a group of crafty retirees.
The dedicated group from Living Choice Retirement Village at Kawana Island on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has handcrafted the wooden toys as Christmas presents for children in need.
Led by Digby Milne, the group each year crafts around 120 wooden toys and donates them to a special Santa’s workshop at Caloundra Salvos.
For the past three years, the retirees have made cradles, cots, racing cars, animal trains, log trucks, graders and pull-along ducks. This year, they added children’s furniture to their range, with rocking horses, deck chairs and sets of tables and chairs.
“We have several woodworkers, including one lady, Norma Lawrence, who make the toys, and then the craft ladies make the bedding for the cradles and do the painting,” Digby explains.
Bunnings hardware in Caloundra donates all the wood to the woodwork group. Other materials are funded from the proceeds of the annual Bunnings barbecue run by the Kawana’s Lions Club. Derrick Bogaart, Digby’s son-in-law who runs Bogaart Painting, supplies all the paint.
The group work on the toys two mornings per week throughout the year to produce such a large quantity of gifts. Digby runs the Monday group, while John Sutton leads Friday’s group.
“We wanted the toys to go to disadvantaged kids in the local community and we trust The Salvation Army to deliver them,” says Digby.
The official toys handover took place on 29 November.
Lieutenant Stuart Glover, Caloundra Corps Officer, gratefully accepted the toys on behalf of The Salvation Army.
“The toys are really good quality and beautifully made,” Stuart says.
“They help our Christmas Cheer program and toy distribution by giving our local families another choice in gifts for their children.
“Each year we set up a Santa’s workshop in Caloundra and the parents come and choose gifts for their children, which makes the whole process a lot easier for them.”
Also attending the handover were Howard Montgomery, Activities Organiser for Bunnings Caloundra; Joyce Peters from the Lions Club, Kawana; Norma Lawrence; Chris Thompson, Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor; Digby Milne; John Sutton; Jarrod Bleijie, Member for Kawana and Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
Comments
i really like hand crafted wooden toys. These toys reflect deep cultural and traditional values.
i really like hand crafted wooden toys. These toys reflect deep cultural and traditional values.
Wooden toys are very safe for child and eco friendly.