Born Estonia
1937
Arrived in Australia 1958
I was born in Estonia in a place called Narva-Joosuu
(Narva River Mouth). At the end of the Second World War I arrived
with my mother in Schleswig, North Germany, a very historical
place. I grew up there, went to school and generally life was
pleasant for me. After finishing my studies, my family moved to
Wuppertal because of better employment opportunities. There I
did my apprenticeship and in 1958 I decided to immigrate to Australia,
arriving in Melbourne on the 25th of June.
After overcoming some hurdles like the language,
home sickness and just the differnece in culture and fitting into
a new social structure, I gradually accepted this new country
as my own. Over the years this country has been very good to me,
and I have learned what a great place it is.
As I was a single man on my arrival my needs were
very basic and worry-free. I always found a place to put my weary
bones and didn't care what sort of jobs I took on. I worked as
a mechanic in Leeton, picked fruit in the Riverina, was a diesel
fitter in the Snowy Mountains, prospected for opals and gold in
Coober Pedy and Tenant Creek, and worked as a stock hand on inland
stations.
After working for a while in Adelaide as a machinist
to finance my trip to Wollongong, I arrived in this part of the
country and have been here ever since. I worked for a contractor
in the steel works for ten years, followed by six years in the
coal minesbefore I started my own business manufacturing wooden
sports trophies.
In all that time my love for timber never left me.
I always, as far as I can think back, carved, or better, whittled
with a pocked knife. It is only in the last ten years of my life
that I have had the money to buy carving chisels and I have had
the time to fully express myself in my carvings.Like a singer
sings and a painter paints, you can hear and see the emotions
and feelings in their work. I use the natural beauty and texture
of timber to express my feelings throught the creation of beautiful
objects. Being able to express my ideas to others through imagery
and representations in my work is to me worth more than money
could ever buy. I like to use Australia fauna and flora as subjects
for my work to tell others about my life in this country and what
a lucky man I am.
I was appointed official wood carver to the Royal
Australian Navy in 2001.
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