Jean Gillingham presenting Dick Webb
with his 'Club Member of the Year' award
on the eve of the club's 20th anniversary
(1/10/2008)

The late Bill Gillingham was an extremely keen woodworker and a foundation member of KDWC. The Club thankfully recalls Bill opening his home for meetings during the early days of   formation.   Bill featured in the local Newspaper with the KDWC in 1989.  Not only his home, but his workshop too, along with his sharing whatever knowledge he had.  Bill and the KDWC featured in the local newspaper in 1989.   He is fondly remembered for his preparedness to teach the new, unskilled members of the Club who were eager to grasp the basics of woodworking.

When Bill passed away, a memorial award was designed in 1991comprising a number of Bill's own tools emblazened on a fine wall hanging that takes pride of position in today's Clubrooms.  A lovely writeup about  Bill can be seen in the Sep 1990 and the Dec 1990 Ingrained Newsletter.

Each year,  a special   committee of the Club comprising the President, Secretary and previous year's award holder,  nominates who they believe to be the most outstanding member who has made a significant contribution to the Club in the preceeding year.  A fine award, most befitting to Bill's own enthusiasm and fine work!

The award is engraved with the winning member's name, and a personal plaque is also presented during the A.G.M. in October of each year to the winner.  Bill's wife, Jean, proudly attended ever year, to make the presentation personally to the recipient.   In 2011, Jean passed away, and the Club is immensely proud of  Bill's daughter, Sandra Bell, for continuing on the family tradition of presenting this award.  Refer to page 2: "Ingrained" Newsletter Vol 25, No. 1 (Nov 2012) when the Sandra, on behalf of her family, made an unexpected and much appreciated donation to the Club.

Many, many thanks to the family of Bill Gillingham, and well done to the members who have been awarded over the years for their contributions.

In 2010 and 2011, the award was presented by Jean's Daughter, Sandra Bell, in the company of Jean's granddaughter, Kirsty. 
See Pg 2,  of Ingrained Newsletter (2010) 23(1)

Here's the first awarding to Keith Griffin, with President: Serge Meilak with Jean Gillingham made at the December Xmas breakup of 1991.   The photo is at the (then) Glenfern Technical School in FTG outside the oval changerooms.  Ironically, those rooms were the original woodworking rooms of the school, and were not in use at the time, and made for a great meeting place for the Club.   Seeking to have greater time at each meeting, the Club relocated to the school's "Pavillion" thanks to assistance from the Vice Principal: John Masterton.

Picture and history from 1991:    Courtesy of Serge Meilak.