News

Updated February 12th-2025 –  by Webpage manager – Rob Kenning

   Latest Penfield Forge News

                                                   2025

FEBRUARY 12TH 2025

We have made some date corrections to the Basic Training Calendar for 2025 on this date. Please download the latest updated calendar at the link below.

2024

MARCH 4TH-2024

A new newsletter is available for viewing at http://www.artistblacksmithsa.org.au/live/bellows/

It has been a long time between newsletters and this one covers a broad range of articles.

Also posted is the new Basic Blacksmith Course Pack 2025 with all the information you need, to sign up for some training.

FEBRUARY 15TH-2024

Forging an Everlasting Rose

Chris Fuller has posted a reel on our Facebook page that is well worth a look over.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3694271777458247

DECEMBER 9TH-2023

FROM THE EDITOR & WEB KEEPER-Rob K

Hello to all and welcome to our site.

I am in the process of updating this website and removing a lot of old information that is no longer relevant.

You may have noticed the Events bar has been giving the wrong location for our meetings – that has now been adjusted to show the new venue (Elephant & Castle Hotel) and contact details for information. PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO SCHEDULED MEETING IN JANUARY 2024. THE FIRST MEETING IS ON FEBRUARY 22ND

I will be working with the ABASA committee and other interested members to clean up the site and may be remove some items that are perhaps a little old hat and under utilised, such as the Gallery, For Sale and ABASA Archives tabs.

At this stage  I think the prime items of interest are:

ABASA’s charter-Location and Opening Hours, Live News, Events Calendar of upcoming events, Training forms and information thereof, Association Policies and access to the the Meetings Minutes and the ‘The Bellows’ newsletter.

There may be some new content introduced in 2024 after some discussions amongst committee members and general members, so stay tuned.

If you see errors in the content of the site or wish to have a say in the refurbishing of the site, feel free to contact our Secretary, Angie, on  0421 072 589 and we will make it happen.

Thank you to all for your input and apologies for not doing this sooner.

2023 -2024 Committee members

A new committee has been voted in for the 2023 -2024 period.

A.B.A.S.A’s new committee comprises the following members:

PRESIDENT -Chris Carter.

VICE PRESIDENT – Chris Fuller.

SECRETARY – Angela Cameron

PUBLIC OFFICER – Chris Fuller

TREASURER -Brian Dreyer.

COURSE COORDINATOR -Chris Fuller

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Wayne Bickley

Anthony Helbig

John Norris

John Fergus

Jaime Dowling

Matteo Riboni

Congratulations to all.

Basic Blacksmith Course Calendar Update.

The downloadable Basic Blacksmith Course forms have been updated to reflect date changes for the rest of 2023

ABASA Meeting Venue update.

Our meetings venue has been changed from the Empire Hotel back to our original site at the Elephant and Castle Hotel in the city.

Membership fee increase -President retiring from the position.

July 3rd – In the latest news this month, we have introduced a modest increase of $10 to our membership taking it to $150 annually.

In other news, our President, Doug Carruthers, has decided to vacate the Presidents seat due to various factors. Our current VP, Kirstie Stewart , will take over the reins in the meantime. Our AGM will be held in August 2023 and a new president will be elected at that time.

May 19th -Training course Calendar and information added to Basic Blacksmith Training page.

Chris Fuller has assumed the role of Blacksmith Course coordinator.

ABASA Events Calendar Update

List of events has been compiled for 2023 and added to Events Calendar. Note – Anlaby Station and Ardrossan events yet to be date confirmed.

ABASA February Updates

From the President of ABASA-Feb 20th

SUMMER TEMPERATURES

We are experiencing some hot days that require changes to forging days. The updated dates and times will be posted on our Facebook page, so keep checking FB for the latest info on forge openings.

COKE STATUS

We have recently purchased 10 ton of coke that has been divided into bulk bags thanks to Andrew and Anthony. We will not be offering coke to non members at this stage, Members will have coke available for purchase. A 15litre bucket will cost $20 and works out to $2 a kilo(Cost Price)

TRAINING COURSES

The training courses for 2023 have been set by the Committee and the first course will begin on the 19th of March. To register for the course, contact our TRAINING COORDINATOR:

Chris Fuller.    0419 500 882‬         csfuller@adam.com.au

As mentioned, keep up to date with the latest information on our FACEBOOK page.

2022

NEW FACEBOOK CONTRIBUTORS

We now have  three new contributors to our Facebook page. They include Doug (our President) as well as Matteo Riboni and Blacksmith Instructor-John Fergus.

Keep an eye on the Facebook page and get the forge news and other association news, hot off the press.

NEW POWER HAMMER

A.B.A.S.A’s Forge at Penfield has a new edition to the family.  A Big Blu air driven power hammer is on site and being prepared for use. Chris F, Brian D and Andrew H delivered and tested the hammer just recently.  At 1 cwt, it is not as intimidating as the Massey, so beginners will be more comfortable learning to forge down their work. Well done to the crew.

Pictured below is Brian testing the action if the hammer.

JULY 14 2021

NEW WEBSITE SAFETY TAB

The latest information on the developing Safety protocols has been added to the website. Please check out SAFETY Tab to view the progress news. S.O.P’s will be added shortly when they are completed. Stay tuned.

MAY 4TH  2021

SAFETY IN THE FORGE

A.B.A.S.A. Inc, is a member of the Australian Mens Shed Association and our insurance policies are covered by them. A.M.S.A. has implemented a requirement for all Mens Shed members to formulate and develop a Safety System to create a safer and manageable work environment for our members. We have a group of members experienced in this task, and in the coming days, will be creating the safety systems, and putting them into place.

These systems will include the following:-

1. A complete Health Safety manual lockout tag out procedure.

2.- Weekly equipment checklist template.

3- A complete Health Safety manual lockout tag out procedure.

4.- Weekly equipment checklist template.