After a long career as a tradie and teacher, Dave Wilson has finally achieved his dream of working for himself. Photo: Supplied.
At 56, when many people are often making retirement plans, Figtree’s Dave Wilson decided to act on a lifelong dream before it was too late.
After a long and varied career which began at 16 when he left Corrimal High School, Dave wanted the freedom of being his own boss.
“I started with BHP as a fitter and machinist apprentice, but when the downturn hit in 1999, I took a redundancy that allowed me to get a Bachelor of Education,” says Dave.
But after nearly 15 years teaching in multiple high schools from South Sydney to the Illawarra, Dave moved into adult education in 2017 and knew he had found his niche.
“I started woodwork classes for adults at Port Kembla’s Five Islands Secondary College and loved it because I was teaching people who wanted to learn,” he says.
But in 2023 when the course ended, Dave decided it was time to resurrect the dream he had as a kid of working for himself.
However, there was one major hitch – finding an affordable workshop site – but his resourcefulness and the generosity of the school’s principal, Jenny Flowers, quickly sorted that out.
“The school operates four days a week, so I asked Jenny if I could rent the industrial arts workspace on Fridays, and she agreed,” he says.
Nearly a year down the track, Dave’s brainchild Five Islands Woodtec has become a valued newcomer to the Illawarra’s senior education landscape.
Dave’s classes, held at Five Islands Secondary College, are becoming increasingly popular. Photo: Supplied.
He runs two classes each Friday and the number of enrolled students is gradually growing.
“It’s designed for any age over 18, but it’s particularly popular with seniors – men and women – who are looking for a challenge in a safe and friendly environment,” says Dave.
“I had one lady who said that when she lost her husband a few years ago she was left with a garage full of woodwork tools and had no idea how to use them.
“Since joining the group, she has reached a point where she now makes quite intricate pieces including a beautifully finished chessboard, complete with drawer space for the chess pieces.
“Another outstanding project was a set of medieval ceremonial chairs made by a man in his 70s for his granddaughter who was getting married.”
Dave’s teaching credentials are evident in the structure of his classes which lead students through the basics, including safety procedures, before they get to a point where they are self-sufficient.
“As well as the skills I’m teaching, I like the fact that it is bringing many people together for company and a good laugh – the focus is on the lessons and safety but there’s always room for a laugh,” he says.
The material used in the classes is salvaged timber, which in the past would have gone to the tip or been turned into woodchip.
He likes to gauge students’ comments at the end of term and this one warmed his heart: “Since being widowed, this course has filled a great void. Where else can the women in this course go to learn. I came with no knowledge on how to build beautiful furniture and I can now make large and small items unsupervised. I would love to continue woodworking as it is very satisfying and gives me a purpose in life.”
Dave runs two terms a year; you can email him at [email protected] for more details.
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