Paul Henneberry from Jarrahdale in Western Australia had an inspiration. After attending a ukulele workshop at the Fairbridge Music Festival in Western Australia, he decided to use his woodworking craft skills and his extensive workshop to make his first ukulele.
That was in 2014. Upon joining a local ukulele community group, he was encouraged to continue his new passion, making four ukuleles a year.
Paul used various timbers including Spanish Cedar, Black Mulga, Curly Koa, Maple and Blackwood.
In discussions with members of the group he saw a need to support different local charities, so he decided to raffle one ukulele each year and donate the entire amount of $2000 profits to a nominated charity.
Ukulele group members across Western Australia lined up to buy tickets which quickly sold out due to the high-quality nature of his instruments.
Paul has not gone fully commercial at this stage. He told me when he retires from his full-time job in electrical instrumentation, he might reconsider. Paul told me he is looking forward to spending more time dedicated to creating ukuleles and to make a lasting impact on the local, national and international musical community.
Learn more about Paul’s story through his website here.
Written by Pat O’Leary
