The work of a talented 14-year-old Bega woodturner will soon be used as diplomatic gifts promoting Australian excellence overseas.
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Jamie Parker-Barnes has supplied the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with 100 of his hand-turned wooden spatulas, which will be provided as gifts for special guests at public diplomacy and cultural programs overseas.
Made from offcuts and discarded wood from his other projects, his spatulas were quickly snapped up by the department as part of a project supporting bushfire affected communities, while also promoting Australian excellence internationally.
After Jamie discovered a DVD in the local library in 2019, he said he "knew" woodturning was something he wanted to focus on, and after convincing his father to buy him a lathe for Christmas, he was able to build on his natural ability.
He began woodworking classes with Jo Saccomani at Two Sheds in Bega four years ago, and following a submission by Bega Valley Shire Council earlier this year, his passion for woodturning and woodwork will now be shared with the world.