By Ethan Benedicto
Fire, anvils, coal, and the sound of hammers beating, seemingly echoes of what felt like days gone, yet remains a practice that flourishes in the Berwick Men’s Shed.
Keith, a member of over 20 years and 93 years young, had spent much of his life working with his hands, but found a certain speciality in the forge.
On 17 March, Monday morning, he put that experience to use and decided to test the mettle of some local councillors.
“I used to work with the big stuff, naval stuff you know? But I was also lucky that I got to spend some time on the anvil, and I worked that trade for about 20 years,” Keith said.
“Some peers and I started a small group in Bundoora, the Australian Blacksmiths Association, and it’s gained some strength since.
“But my favourite part is that with any tool-making, it’s all artistic, and I like doing artistic stuff.”
The City of Casey’s mayor, Stefan Koomen, alongside deputy mayor Melinda Ambros, and councillors Scott Dowling, Kim Ross, Anthony Walter and Gary Rowe were in attendance, each taking a turn at making a nail to call their own.
The process was simple, yet was something that required finesse, consistency, accuracy and balance.
Keith first showed the councillors the ropes, bringing a rectangular iron rod to heat amongst fire and coal, before it was shaped on the anvil by a hammer.
Dowling said that being present and able to take part is more than just fun, but also educational.
“We’re making some nails, and this is just for them to be able to show us how to make something the old blacksmith’s way,” he said.
“It’s a lost art, so it’s really good to find a place where people still have the skills to put it together.”
Dowling was eager to get started, starting the train of other councillors who were looking to hammer their identity into their nail.
Maury, the president of the Berwick Men’s Shed, said that being able to showcase the art of making something as small as a nail, and the efforts that go behind it, is always a fun time.
As his fourth year as president, Maury recalled that the Shed has always had “good committees and communities over the years”.
“The people who walk through the door, you find that a lot of them are lovely, nice old people who come from all walks of life.
“There are a number of things that come into play, but we give everybody a fair go, and if someone wants to learn something, we’ll show them how to do it,” he said.
After Dowling, the councillors each took turns at the anvil, all led and catered to by Keith, who was eager and willing to show others his craft.
The councillors were also taken on a tour of the shed, where they were introduced and demonstrated the workings of different machines and projects of other members.
Ultimately, the councillors understood that being able to feel the heat of the forge, working it, and bask in the presence of machinery was an experience that not many would know, but something they encouraged others to be aware of, and perhaps even try.
