About me

Hi, I’m Bernie

Fitter and Turner by trade, bush walker, Christmas-light builder and laser-cutting maker — living and tinkering in North Richmond, NSW.

Welcome to my site

I started out as a Fitter and Turner, ventured out into construction and ended my working life in the construction industry with our own company, Concept Constructions, building home improvements including opening and closing roofs. Since retiring in 2016 I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of my time out in the Australian bush, walking and camping.

When I’m home you’ll usually find me in the workshop — building props for our Christmas light show or standing over the laser cutter. I’ve never lost the itch to make things with my hands and to keep learning new skills, and I write it all up as I go in From the Workshop.

About my blog

Why I write From the Workshop

I started From the Workshop to keep notes on my own builds — the MegaTree, the Spiral Trees, the Roof Outlines and, this year, the Fireworks Tree — and to share what I’ve learned with anyone building a display of their own.

In June 2020 I bought a 100W laser cutter, with a 1000 × 800 mm bed, direct from China. The first things I cut were out of plywood — including a picture book of our Walls of Jerusalem walk. Today it makes props for the show, my own crafts, and cutting and engraving for other enthusiasts.

There’s more to come: behind-the-scenes lighting, laser projects and notes from my trips.

Laser-cut plywood picture book of the Walls of Jerusalem walk

My first laser project: a plywood picture book of our Walls of Jerusalem walk, March 2020.

A few things about me

Trade
Fitter and Turner, then our own company, Concept Constructions

Home
North Richmond, NSW

Christmas lights
Since 2002 — animated since 2017

Clubs
The Bush Club · AusChristmasLighting

Workshop
100W laser cutter, since June 2020

Starlight Children’s Foundation
More than $3,000 raised in four years

The lights

From a few lights to a light show

We first put lights up at our home back in 2002. In 2017 I joined AusChristmasLighting and went along to a mini seminar at Picton, NSW — that’s where I found the ideas and the support to grow our display into an animated, computer-controlled light show. Having been given that help myself, I’m always keen to help anyone just getting started in the Christmas lights hobby.

Christmas lights are for kids, both young and old, so we proudly support the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Over the last four years the show has raised more than $3,000.

My story so far

A few milestones

2002

Our first Christmas lights go up at home.

2016

Retired from construction — and walked the Kokoda Track with my sister Maree, Barry and Roslyn.

2017

Joined AusChristmasLighting, went to the Picton mini seminar, and the lights became animated.

2019–22

With The Bush Club: Overland Track, Walls of Jerusalem, South East Tasmania, Yuraygir and Hiltaba.

2020

My 100W laser arrives from China in June. First project: a plywood picture book of our Walls of Jerusalem walk.

Today

More than $3,000 raised for the Starlight Children’s Foundation over four years — and a Fireworks Tree on the bench.

On the track

My favourite group walks

My first big walk was the Kokoda Track in 2016 — a trip planned by my sister Maree, with our companions Barry and Roslyn. We joined The Bush Club for more experience and insight into bushwalking, and since then the list has grown to include the Overland Track, the Walls of Jerusalem, South East Tasmania, the Yuraygir Coastal Walk and the Hiltaba Nature Reserve.

The walks