Timber iQ Dec 2017 - Jan 2018 // Issue:35 | Page 10

EVENTS
Exhibitors displayed what they had to offer.
as a display and operation from Wood-Mizer and
Austro/Norwood Sawmills.
TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS - DAY 1
The first day of the festival saw Storyteller Films present
The Living Heritage of Knysna DVD. The DVD tells the story
of Knysna from a variety of cultural-historic perspectives:
from the Khoisan people who first lived here; to the first
European settlers; the woodcutters and their early
techniques; the history of Millwood and the goldfields of
Knysna; the history of boat-building on Thesen Island; to
more recent events like the establishment of Percy Mdala
School in Salt River. The short story was run on all three
days before and after the proceedings.
After the short film, Delray Turner from Woodoc gave a
presentation on how to seal and colour wood. She showed
a short how-to video that people could view to learn how
to choose the right finish for wood. She was also
accompanied by in-house painter, Ronell Grobler, who
answered questions from visitors.
Johnny Synman from Heartwood Bows took the stand to
dig into Traditional Archery. The talk was about a short
background as well as on bow making, woods and the bow
making process.
Making use of wood waste was presented by Pam Booth
from the Municipality. She spoke about how catchment
management involves the felling of tons and tons of
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DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018 //
invasive plant material. Not only does this pose a fire risk
but it represents mass nutrient removal from the system.
There are many ways of turning that waste into something
useful. She further went on to talk about biochar, compost,
housing and goats.
The last presentation of the day was given by Dalena
Wolmarans, a third generation Knysna woodcutter, she
spoke about the art of the indigenous tree and how the
indigenous forest on the doorstep of Knysna symbolises a
work of art. The trees have temperamental personalities,
just like artists; each tree is also an individual art piece.
DAY 2
A brief introduction on Tjhoko paint and a demonstration
of one of the paint techniques was conducted by Anita
Jordaan. She presented about keeping up with the trends
by repurposing and reviving things around the home.
Work done by Tjhoko paint has been aired on DStv
channels kykNET and the home channel, tuis/home and
Creative Hobbies magazines.
Marius van der Merwe from New Carbon was up next to
introduce New Carbon innovative solutions to process
biomass into biocarbon and energy. He says that the
solution has the potential to transform the community, the
environment and local economies.
See more on page 10