11 replies
  1. Dr Alan Clark
    Dr Alan Clark says:

    I gave my wife a weekend course with Ray for her birthday. We did it together even though it has been her passion more than mine. That said, we both had a wonderful time. We learnt heaps, enjoyed every minute,and have both found a new, common interest. Best of all we feel we have made a great new friend.

    Reply
  2. Dick Adams
    Dick Adams says:

    Dear Sir
    I recently had the good fortune to undertake an introduction to blacksmithing course with one of your members, Ray Gard, at his Raven Forge at Thalloo. I had been wanting to try my hand at blacksmithing for many years and made an internet search of blacksmiths who proaid.ed training courses. What attracted me to Mr Gard’s course was the fact that he offered one-on-one training and, when I contacted him, he told me to “bring a sense of humour”. I could not have made a better choice.
    Mr Gard’s skill and experience at his craft, combined with his excellent teaching manner, made my experience both interesting and productive. In past lives I have had a ht of experience in adult education; and I could not fault Mr Gard’s approach to his course. Whilst relaxed, he paid close attention to safety and multi-tasking and I really benefited from his approach. One of the things which really impressed me was his dedication and faith to his ancient craft of blacksmithing – there were no shortcuts; all holes were punched and not drilled; and all worth was done with a traditional coke forge at the anvil.
    I found Mr Gard to be a friendly, knowledgeable and affable man and I commend him to you and your members as a person who displays, in my opinion and experience, the highest standards of integrity in your craft. I should have no hesitation, whatsoever, in recommending his course. Best wishes to you and your members for helping this ancient and most worthwhile craft alive.
    Yours sincerely
    Dick Adams Springwood, NSW

    Reply
  3. Ray
    Ray says:

    Hi Ray, just wanted to pass on a big thanks for a great weekend.
    Your expertise and hospitality were first rate. An absolute pleasure to meet someone so dedicated to their craft.
    Kind regards,
    Dean and Dylan

    Reply
  4. Stuart Barber
    Stuart Barber says:

    Hi Ray,
    Thank you for a truly fantastic weekend in your forge.
    You are a great teacher and I learnt so much.
    I will be back as I really enjoyed working with you.
    I would recommend to anyone how is thinking about blacksmithing to speed time in your forge and they too will be hooked.
    See you again soon.
    Cheers mate.
    Stuart barber

    Reply
  5. Mignon Moyle
    Mignon Moyle says:

    Hi Ray,
    As you know my friend Jane and I had an amazing weekend with you last weekend. Thank you to your lovely wife Dawn who created a very nice lunch, which helped to make the weekend even more enjoyable. For people who do not know, Ray is generous with his knowledge and his help, which enabled me to create my own unique customised garden piece , and it works brilliantly!
    Thank you Ray ( and Dawn) !

    Reply
  6. Ray
    Ray says:

    Hi Mignon,
    as always a pleasure to see and work with you and Jane. Keep up the good work and good luck with your future projects.

    Reply
  7. Dan marsh
    Dan marsh says:

    I would thoroughly recommend this course to absolutely anyone, it was a special experience to try an art that has been taught for so many thousands of years. And Ray combined with his personality, sense of humour and knowledge of his craft is the perfect teacher and advocate of this ancient skill, the way he teaches is in layman’s terms and he has the patience of a saint (but the sense of humour of an Aussie 😉). During the weekend Ray assisted me in creating so many great things to take home, including a toasting fork with my daughter’s initials stamped into it for her to toast her marshmallows, and now she would like to live on toasted marshmallows for the rest of her life! I’d also like to say a big thank you to Ray’s wonderful wife Dawn and daughter Amy,
    it was an absolute pleasure meeting them and enjoying their amazing hospitality. I will be back to do further top up courses in the future, thank you once again.

    Reply

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