July 12, 2017
A police officer from the Brisbane Watchhouse is one of the surprise helpers that came on board when a plan to revive pottery making at Cherbourg was announced.
To get the ReFire project going, the community put out a call for public help to secure the vital items necessary to get the workshop started up again.
The call was picked up by the ABC-TV who aired a story across Queensland in March.
Senior Assistant Watchhouse Officer Rod Green saw the program and immediately made plans to get involved.
“When I first saw the news story I saw how many young people were joining the Elders and getting involved,” Rod said.
“It was really inspiring to see a community coming together like that.”
He then set about sourcing items from across Australia to donate to the ReFire project, and even hosted a successful private event that received several donated items.
“Initially I didn’t tell the organisers what I was planning because it would be something that would surprise the community that people from outside Cherbourg cared,” Rod said.
“Once I knew what to get I personally paid and bought items from around Australia, and looked for items in the local area to purchase. I also received several donations from people in the community.”
After Rod had secured enough items to fill a studio, which took two months to collect, he travelled to Cherbourg to deliver them.
“The potters didn’t realise how much we had got together,” Rod said.
“In the end, we delivered a number of electric potter’s wheels, glazes, extruders for clay forming, moulds, a kiln, pottery shapers, pottery books and nearly a quarter tonne of clay.
“I still have two more kilns to deliver, as well as a gas and raku kiln.”
The equipment delivered by Rod can now be used by the Cherbourg potters to move forward with their plans to manufacture their own pottery.
ReFire project Manager Matthew Wengert said the Cherbourg artists had been are overwhelmed by Rod’s contribution.
“Rod’s donation has shown that people care, that they respect art and want to help our artists succeed,” Matthew said.
“The donation from Rod allows us to move to the next stage of our project where the community will use the new items to produce our own pottery to paint.
“Rod has helped our community become more self-reliant and independent.”
During this time, Rod has acted exclusively in a volunteer capacity and said he has been moved by the experience of lending a hand to Cherbourg residents, as well as inspired by their strong community spirit.
“I’ve been involved in lots of different projects, most of them as part of the defence force, but working with this community has been the most gratifying and rewarding experience,” Rod said.
Works created during the ReFire project are currently on display at Kingaroy Art Gallery.
[Source: MyPolice blog]
- Related article: Pottery Returns To Cherbourg
