Keith has called Townsville home for more than fifty years. He first arrived in 1972 to work on the construction of the Ross River Dam, returning for good in 1999 after time in Western Australia. What began as a chance visit to a woodturning demonstration more than twenty years ago quickly became a lifelong passion.

Ask Keith what he loves about woodturning and he’ll tell you that every piece of timber has a story. A fallen branch destined for the barbecue can reveal decades of growth, resilience and character once it begins to spin on the lathe. Hidden grain, colour and texture slowly emerge, transforming something ordinary into something beautiful.

For Keith, woodturning is equal parts craftsmanship and patience. It’s a hobby that demands respect, teaches care, and rewards curiosity. Even after two decades, he still travels to festivals around Australia to learn from fellow makers, always discovering new techniques and new ways to let the timber speak for itself.

When he’s not in the workshop, Keith is sharing laughs with friends at the Townsville Woodturning Association, a community of more than 80 members who generously share their skills, stories and time. It’s that same spirit of generosity that you’ll find reflected in every vase he has created for Victoria Street.

If you ask Keith what every visitor should experience while they’re here, his answer is simple: catch the ferry to Magnetic Island, keep an eye out for dolphins and whales, and don’t leave without taking in the panoramic view from Castle Hill.

We’re incredibly grateful that a wrong turn brought Keith into our lives. His handcrafted vases are more than beautiful objects—they’re a small piece of Townsville, shaped by hand, carrying the story of the place and the people who call it home.