Brace yourself for a day of action, invention, creativity and history when Mundaring comes alive to the sound of hammers for the What a Tool Open Day.
Community groups, artists and businesses from across WA have come together to showcase the ‘tools of their trades’ and invite the public to soak up the atmosphere and have a go!
The Mundaring Hall and surrounds will be bursting with community group and business displays, forging and artisan demonstrations, interactive art activities, food and locally crafted things to buy. Read on >
D.I.Y. earrings
Learn the "tools of the trade" with renowned WA silversmith and jeweller Bethamy Linton. Create your own unique pair of textured and embellished earrings whilst learning roll-printing metal, cutting and assembling techniques.
11am - 1pm
14+ yrs
$60 | $54 MAC Members
Materials supplied
Clamp Down
Learn about marvellous hand tools and steam engines with the members of the Men’s Shed, Machine Preservation Society, Fine Woodwork Association, Perth Wood School and Hand Tool Preservation Society of WA as they show their wares and chat with visitors about their respective clubs.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Get Crafty
Learn the lost skills of quilt making, stained glass, mosaic, card making with the ladies from the Mundaring Sharing. This Perth Hills group is renowned for their diverse talents and regular community classes. Drop by, purchase a boomerang bag and then stuff it full of handcrafted goodies.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Arbortech Tool Demos
Worried about how to construct your next big D.I.Y project without getting hurt? See the amazing people at the Arbortech tent and learn about their specialist masonry and woodworking tools created from the vision of founder Kevin Inkster. “Inventing has always been a love of mine and most of our tools are a result of experimentation.” Today, Arbortech is internationally renowned for pushing the status quo. They are makers and innovators with a drive for creating unrivalled products that allow better, safer, easier and more enjoyable work.
11am - 3pm
FREE
cuttlebone cast treasure
Learn the art of carving and casting to create your own wearable treasure. Join artist Sarah Elson as she shares her passion for metal working and helps you see the potential for creating unique forms. You will design, carve and pour your very own wearable sculpture in this session.
12.30pm - 3.30pm
14+ yrs
$60 | $54 MAC Members
Materials supplied
Working with Clay
White Peacock Studios will be doing demonstrations on wheel throwing and turning and giving you the opportunity to have a go and learn how to use the wheel. Our locally made ceramic wares will also be on show for you to purchase or just have a browse.
11am -3pm
FREE
Adaptive Tools for Riding
Assisting people with disability to enjoy horse riding and equine care for 41 years, the Riding for the Disabled Hills Group showcases a range of adaptive tools for riding and demonstrate how to make a horse lead.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Down Tools
Enjoy a tool-ish book from Boffins. Have a chat with the knowledgeable literary lovers and explore the vast array of wonderful books on show, Whatever your passion, there's a book for you at Boffins. Boffins is an independent bookshop operating since 1989.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Billy Cart Building
The Mount Helena Residents and Ratepayers are showcasing extraordinary Billy Carts and how to make them. Visitors are encouraged to take the instructions and then participate in the Billy Cart Festival to be held on 28 October in Mount Helena.
11am - 3pm
FREE
The Art of Blacksmithing
Master Blacksmith Brian showcases his skills alongside his apprentice, artist Rachel Wyder. Utilising a charcoal forge and the ancient skill of shaping molten metal these artisans will share their skills and knowledge throughout the day.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Printmaking Have a Go
Join the talented artists from the Printmakers Association of WA, learn about printmaking tools and try your hand at the printmaking Have a Go station.
Visitors are invited to create a simple design, then print and add to a collaborative “Wild Bouquet” of community designs using a burnishing method. Then view the stunning works created by members of the group.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Drill Down
Challenge the grey matter, take the What’s That Tool? Quiz with the Shire of Mundaring, Chamber of Commerce and Mundaring & Hills Historical Society and be in the running to win the What’s That Tool? Trophy.
Or learn how to publish a book, tell a story and find out about the “writing tools of the trade” including e-publishing with the writers from Katharine Susannah Prichard Writer’s Centre.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Brace Yourself
Whether you're a complete beginner or skilled woodworker, Perth Wood School has everything you need to create your own masterpiece. David from Perth Wood School will be giving demonstrations of woodworking with traditional hand tools including saws, chisels hand planes and more.
11am - 3pm
FREE
Live music
Enjoy the sounds of Kovu, the alternative folk project of Alexander Turner from 11:30-12:30pm.
Brought up on the sounds of the West Australian folk scene, Alexander shares colourful stories that sit somewhere between home and elsewhere.
Grace Saunders will be performing from 1-2:30pm. The singer-songwriter from Perth Western Australia combines jazz, soul, folk and classic rock influences to create a genre-bending body of work focusing on melody and lyrics.
FREE