My special object is a home-made table with embedded weaving.
Both the carpentry and the tapestry were made by my dad, Victor George Jensen (1922-1995).
It was 1950-1951. Our family moved to Adelaide for six months. I only ‘remember’ because we had a photo from our back verandah, apparently looking at Sir Donald Bradman’s home. My dad was a master craftsman. A carpenter and pattern-maker. Only recently have I realised that my dad was probably involved in making some of the wooden moulds into which, ultimately metal was poured, elemental to the building of the early Holdens.
Later, back in Sydney, I remember the taste and fragrance of wood shavings enveloping the large backyard workplace where my dad crafted many saleable items including high chairs sold through David Jones.
Both the carpentry and the tapestry were made by my dad, Victor George Jensen (1922-1995).
It was 1950-1951. Our family moved to Adelaide for six months. I only ‘remember’ because we had a photo from our back verandah, apparently looking at Sir Donald Bradman’s home. My dad was a master craftsman. A carpenter and pattern-maker. Only recently have I realised that my dad was probably involved in making some of the wooden moulds into which, ultimately metal was poured, elemental to the building of the early Holdens.
Later, back in Sydney, I remember the taste and fragrance of wood shavings enveloping the large backyard workplace where my dad crafted many saleable items including high chairs sold through David Jones.
'Fill 'em up'
From this workshop were designed and crafted, among many other things, including a surfboard, a boat, the family caravan etc ……
.
And, most memorably, a bone that fitted through my nose, providing me with automatic status as king of the cannibals in our school play.
It was after moving to Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River, to open a post office and general store, that my dad’s muscular dystrophy symptoms began to appear.
When the family moved to Port Macquarie, his symptoms worsened. For a while he was able to run a small business hiring out costs and strollers and then a fish and chips shop. Unfortunately, ‘his roll your own’ smoking combined with his muscular dystrophy, led to circulation problems and ultimately a leg amputation.
It was after this point that my table was crafted by him. He also was an early adopter to the PC and managed a number of databases and spreadsheets for the community. He took to leather work and weaving in addition to miniature artwork.
My parents, for their final move together, retired to Bribie Island, north of Brisbane. It was here while, on the flat that he ‘exercised’ walking his dog beside his electric wheelchair. He entertained the local kids with stories about he lost his leg as a result of a shark attack.
Previously, at Port Macquarie, my dad wrote his autobiography.
For many years I carried a sense of my dad’s disappointment that his only biological son, had shown no aptitude from a very young age, any interest or ability to work with his hands.
A few years after my dad’s death, I provided a copy of his autobiography to my cousin, the son of my dad’s older brother.
Within a few days he replied very grateful. As he explained, it was the result of my dad’s influence, that he, Owen, became a builder.
And now to the present ...
After nearly a year I am finally establishing a morning routine.
As early as I can manage it, the day starts with a cup of tea and toast followed by a two kilometer walk around the lake.
Refreshed, I can then begin a 20 minute period of contemplation and prayer. As I light my candle on top of my moment table, I can feel at peace and connected.
.
And, most memorably, a bone that fitted through my nose, providing me with automatic status as king of the cannibals in our school play.
It was after moving to Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River, to open a post office and general store, that my dad’s muscular dystrophy symptoms began to appear.
When the family moved to Port Macquarie, his symptoms worsened. For a while he was able to run a small business hiring out costs and strollers and then a fish and chips shop. Unfortunately, ‘his roll your own’ smoking combined with his muscular dystrophy, led to circulation problems and ultimately a leg amputation.
It was after this point that my table was crafted by him. He also was an early adopter to the PC and managed a number of databases and spreadsheets for the community. He took to leather work and weaving in addition to miniature artwork.
My parents, for their final move together, retired to Bribie Island, north of Brisbane. It was here while, on the flat that he ‘exercised’ walking his dog beside his electric wheelchair. He entertained the local kids with stories about he lost his leg as a result of a shark attack.
Previously, at Port Macquarie, my dad wrote his autobiography.
For many years I carried a sense of my dad’s disappointment that his only biological son, had shown no aptitude from a very young age, any interest or ability to work with his hands.
A few years after my dad’s death, I provided a copy of his autobiography to my cousin, the son of my dad’s older brother.
Within a few days he replied very grateful. As he explained, it was the result of my dad’s influence, that he, Owen, became a builder.
And now to the present ...
After nearly a year I am finally establishing a morning routine.
As early as I can manage it, the day starts with a cup of tea and toast followed by a two kilometer walk around the lake.
Refreshed, I can then begin a 20 minute period of contemplation and prayer. As I light my candle on top of my moment table, I can feel at peace and connected.
Graham Jensen
March 2023
Graham Jensen
March 2023