ONCE part of the historic Hopkins River bridge, old timber has been given new life by a group of Warrnambool woodworkers.
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Five tables crafted by members of the Triton Woodworkers Club will take pride of place in the city council office and Flagstaff Hill after they were presented to Mayor Mike Neoh yesterday.
The timber had been in storage since the bridge was demolished in 2000, when Heritage Victoria ordered Warrnambool City Council to save six spans of the 1894 construction for posterity because it was the only surviving 19th century truss-type bridge.
Some of the timber has also been used by the Warrnambool City Council in a new fishing jetty near Proudfoots restaurant.
But in the hands of John O'Brien and other members of the woodwork club, the old pieces of red gum and cream-coloured turpentine wood have become pieces of fine furniture.
Mr O'Brien said members jumped at the chance to use the old pieces of timber.
"We're always looking for free timber to do things with,'' he said.
"We thought we might be able to use it for the pavilion at the Japanese Garden but it wasn't suitable for the project so we offered to make it into tables."
He said four members of the club, including himself, started crafting the tables in December and had been working "a bit here and a bit there" during summer.
The group made a reporters' table for the council chamber, a new table for the foyer of the council building, a side table for the entrance to Flagstaff Hill and two small occasional tables which will be used in renovated tourist accommodation at the maritime museum.
Mr O'Brien said he was pleased the tables would be on public display.
"You get a kick out of the finished product. To think you've made something recycled from a bridge and see it become quality furniture is a bit exciting," he said.
"We're pleased the old wood has found a new use and show people you can make nice furniture out of an old bridge."
The 35-member club has its workshop on the ground floor of the old Fletcher Jones factory and besides making tables, have been busy preparing 9000 woodwork kits for youngsters to assemble at this year's Fun4Kids Festival.
Mr O'Brien said it takes members about six months to prepare the more than 10,000 pieces of wood that make up the kits.
The Triton club meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1pm to 4pm.
