Blacksmith's art finds new home in Boyanup

Anvil and iron enthusiasts have a new home after the successful renovation of the old blacksmith’s shop at the South West Rail and Heritage Centre in Boyanup.

Led by Malcolm Paine, who has nearly seven decades of experience with hammer and tongs, the Blacksmith’s Association of WA has built a new shopfront for the building and installed a number of forges.

“The BAWA headquarters are based in Claremont but the smithies down here in the South West were fed up with travelling back and forth,” Mr Paine said.

“The South West Rail and Heritage Centre kindly said we could use this space and we’ve spent the last six weeks getting it prepared.”

The new blacksmiths shop will be in operation on the first and third Sunday of every month and, with Mr Paine at the helm, is capable of nearly any blacksmithing task imaginable.

“I can do agricultural and decorative work, knives and swords, armour you name it,” Mr Paine said.

“The BAWA constitution focuses on promoting and spreading blacksmithing so I’m also hoping to instruct members of the younger generation on the trade and pass on some of my knowledge.”

Mr Paine said that while the blacksmith shop was ready for operation, some renovations had not yet been completed.

“We’re hoping to set up a farrier shop next door that can produce horseshoes, which is the kind of trade that traditionally would be situated near a blacksmith,” he said.

The blacksmith shop will also be manned on the last Sunday of every month, when the South West Rail and Heritage Centre opens its doors to the public.

“I’d encourage anyone who has any interest in blacksmithing to come down and have a look,” Mr Paine said.