MY STORY

I began my life long career 40 years ago and was fortunate to be taught the art of stone masonry by a Master Stone Mason. 

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My stone masonry journey began when I worked on a new home with internal and external walls built of bricks. The client was happy with my work and ask if I could work for him, the man’s name was Bernie Kiosters, who laid stone for a living. I agreed and unknown to me, he was a Master Stone Mason and did his trade in Germany and later moved to South Australia. Bernie was a true craftsman and together with Gorgio built the bell tower for St Frances Church near Victoria Square Adelaide. This astonishing task took 7 years to complete, of which 5 years were cutting and preparing the stone and 2 years laying the stone

Bernie was commissioned the stonework at Martindale Hall Mintaro.  It was there he taught me a different method of the trade, laying cut sand stone with a tolerance of 3mm joint to the next stone. Bernie died before this work was completed. It was a great honour that his wife asked myself and Gorgio to finish the restoration work Bernie had started, which took a further 18 months to complete.

Bernie contracted the stone restoration from the state government and state heritage; the restoration work won an Architect’s Chapters Award for the best stone restoration in that year. I am extremely proud to be part the restorations, preserving the rich heritage of this significant South Australian building.