ARARAT - Funds raised by the Central Western Woodworking Group's annual Grampians U-Turn event have been donated to the Ararat Olympic Swimming Pool fund and Ararat Legacy.
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The CWWG consists of five woodworking clubs in from Ararat, Ballarat, Bendigo, Sunbury and Wimmera. The CWWG meets four times annually and also conducts a number of events throughout the year.
One of these events is the annual Grampians U-Turn, where woodturners from the five clubs and others gather to learn and pass on their knowledge.
This event was previously held in Horsham, but due to the unavailability of the venue there, a new venue had to be found.
CWWG secretary Jeff Willey said the Ararat Woodworkers' Club suggested that the Ararat Harness Racing Club had suitable buildings.
"After inspecting this venue it was decided by the club delegates of the CWWQ that this venue was suitable for our event," he said.
"The event was a great success with all attendees giving the venue and the organisation of the event the thumbs up."
Over four days in April 46 woodturners, with 14 of these accompanied by their wives and three woodcraft suppliers attended the Grampians U-Turn 2014 event.
Mr Willey said during the event a raffle was held at each meal break which generated funds.
"This surplus will be split with half going to The Friends of Ermera (a village in East Timor where the donation assists in training young villagers in a trade) and local charities as determined by the Ararat Woodworkers Club," he said.
"This year the Ararat Woodworkers have decided to split their share into two, giving half to Ararat Legacy and the other half to the Save the Pool fund.
"It is hoped that this donation will assist these organisations in carrying out the vital work they do in the Ararat community."
Ambrose Cashin said he was thrilled to accept the donation on behalf of the Ararat Olympic Swimming Pool Committee.
"They have done a tremendous job and donations like this just show that the community still want this pool up and running," he said.
"The enthusiasm hasn't died down even though it might be taking a little longer than we first expected and it is great that community groups like the Ararat Woodworkers are still working as hard as ever."
Legatee John McRae said funds received from the CWWG would help Ararat Legacy assist its members across a big area which includes Stawell, Avoca, Elmhurst, Beaufort, Willaura and Lake Bolac.
"We appreciate their donation to help us support 187 widows in this district," he said.
After the success of this year's Grampians U-Turn, the CWWG is planning to hold the event in Ararat again in 2015 and subsequent years.
