The first Sunday in September is set aside for celebrating dads, granddads, stepdads, cool uncles, and all the father figures in our lives.
One Sandgate family has taken that family celebration to the next level, with a local grandfather and his grandson spending almost every day together and starting a business along the way.
Syd Webster, 93, started teaching his grandson Emmanuel Hammed woodworking. They’ve developed an even closer bond, and a small start-up selling handmade wooden pens.
Syd said he first took up woodworking when he retired.
“It’s good for passing the time,” he said. “Once you get on the lathe, you have to concentrate and keep your eye on it – you’re lost to the world. There are no worries, you’re just focused on getting the best finish you can.”
He added that being able to pass on the skills to grandson Emmanuel was “special”.
“It’s all about family, family is everything,” Syd said.
The pens are handmade from Australian timber, with all the inserts and pieces also Australian-made. Launching on Instagram, the pair sold out of their first collection of pens in 30 minutes.
The Making of the Pens and the Bond
Emmanuel said spending time with his grandfather brought him a lot of joy.
“I feel very privileged to be able to have the time, it’s a gift,” he said.
“He’s 93, but his mental capacity is all there, and his health is all there, apart from his sight going.
“We’re just very lucky to have this time together.”
He added the family had endured a hard 12 months.
“We had a big year of loss last year, I lost my stepdad, and my grandmother – granddad lost his wife – and that grief has brought us together a bit more,” Emmanuel said.
“Sometimes we’re not that productive, we have cups of tea and just hang out.
“Our original plan was just to do something fun together, and to see how the community has responded is crazy. I’m learning from (granddad) all the time.”
According to Emmanuel, Syd has become a bit of a “surrogate granddad” to his mates and even some of their customers.
“Not everyone has their grandparents here,” he said. “We just get a lot of joy out of making the pens, and the family bonding as well. It’s the making that matters, not the money.”
Find Syd and Emmanuel on Instagram.
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