WA Craftsman Creates CHOGM Keepsake

WA Federal Minister Gary Gray recently unveiled a keepsake for Commonwealth Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October.

“Perth craftsman Tim Leaversuch has designed a very elegant memento which will both store and display the commemorative CHOGM 2011 dollar coin,” Mr Gray said.

Mr Gray said it was pleasing to see Western Australian artists producing mementos for CHOGM 2011, providing a distinctly local character.

“It’s wonderful that WA artists are providing for CHOGM 2011 specially designed, one-off keepsakes such as this display case, made from local timbers right here in Perth at the Midland Atelier, rather than an existing mass-produced item.

“The Federal Government is pleased to have brought CHOGM to Perth, to showcase this great city and State and WA artists such as Tim to our international visitors and friends.”

The coin holder display cases are handcrafted by Mr Leaversuch using Western Australian blackbutt and jarrah timbers.

The source of the blackbutt, which due to its scarcity has never been commercially milled, was from a tree blown over in a farmer’s paddock.

Mr Gray also acknowledged FORM, the not-for-profit organisation which develops creativity talent in Western Australia, for its role in linking the CHOGM 2011 Taskforce with the state’s wellspring of creative talent.

“FORM’s aim to ‘build a state of creativity’ has borne fruit for CHOGM 2011, from this memento through to the exhibition Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route,” Mr Gray said.