Written by Jon van Wyk
In a cozy workshop nestled in Hervey Bay, the air is laden with the scent of exotic native timbers and often hums with the gentle whir of a lathe at work. It is against this backdrop that local woodturner and community icon Brian Hope, aka, ‘The Penman’, shares the story of his life, his craft, and the impact it has had on his community.
Born in the United Kingdom, Brian’s roots trace back to Hull in Yorkshire while his wife Linda hails from the picturesque region of Somerset. Their lives changed irrevocably when their families embarked on a journey across the world to Australia—a move triggered by the promise of opportunity and a brighter future.
“We were 10-pound poms,” Brian recounts, using the colloquial term for the British immigrants who arrived on the ‘Ten Pound Ticket’ scheme. “It was an adventure for us kids, a chance to start anew.”
Brian’s journey into woodturning began as a by-product of life’s unpredictability. After leaving school at 16, he embarked on an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, beginning a relationship with wood that would one day deepen as he explored the artistry of creating unique pieces from wood. “I always had an appreciation for craftsmanship,” he shares. “There’s something magical about turning a rough piece of wood into something beautiful.”
As they settled further into their new lives—Brian in Wollongong and Linda later in Penrith—their paths eventually crossed in Sydney during the mid-1970s. Love blossomed, and they were married in 1978. Soon after, they welcomed five children into the world—four boys and, nine years later, a daughter.
After getting married, Brian and Linda committed to working with the Salvation Army, working full-time in various capacities from youth work to emergency services, and their lives became intertwined with service and community, including a period of time spent in Fiji, helping locals to make furniture and run small businesses. At was at this time that Brain and Linda also began to work towards raising funds for children’s education in Fiji, which was given minimal funding from the government at the time. Sadly, after many years of commitment, the vagaries of ill health and later, an unfortunate traffic accident, forced Brian and Linda to reassess their path.
“We had spent years helping others, but we needed to focus on our health and our family,” Brian reflects. Returning to Australia, the couple initially settled back in Newcastle before eventually moving to the Blue Mountains, where they continued to raise their children.
The couple’s love for community remained unwavering, even as they navigated life’s ups and downs. In 2000, they relocated to Brisbane, where Brian found opportunities supporting people with disabilities through employment services, before finally moving to Hervey Bay, which immediately felt like home for them both.
By 2015, encouraged by Linda and his family who gifted him a small lathe, Brian revisited woodcraft again, turning his talents to bowls, plates, and cutting boards, to name a few, before branching out to more exotic items such as pepper grinders and finally pens.
Brian shares how his desire to create with wood became more and more a part of his life. “I wanted to create something beautiful, to have a purpose beyond just work,” he recounts. Each piece he created was not just a mere piece of wood; it was a conduit of his creativity and emotions.
Before long, the local community took notice of Brian’s skill. His woodwork, particularly his pens—each unique and crafted with love—sparked the interest of friends and neighbours, eventually leading him to participate in local markets where he began sharing his love of making pens with others. “I started small, just trying to see if others appreciated my work as much as I did,” he says, his love for crafting evident in his voice.
Word spread rapidly, and soon, Brian became something of a local celebrity. His stall at the Wednesday and Saturday markets at the pier in Hervey Bay drew many visitors, curious to see the man behind the stunning woodwork and creative pens. People from all walks of life connected with his creations, drawn to the obvious skill embedded in each piece.
One particularly poignant moment stands out to Brian: a young girl approached him at a market, her shy demeanour betraying the excitement in her eyes. “She told me how much she loved writing and drew pretty pictures,” Brian reminisces. “Then, she asked if my daughter and I could help make her a pen. Something special, just for her.” That day, not only did Brian handcraft a pen for the girl, but he also discovered the profound impact of his art on others’ lives, particularly youth.
“For me, woodturning is about more than just crafting,” he elaborates. “It’s about community, connection, and sharing stories.” It’s this passion for community that motivated Brian and Linda to work with both children and their parents, letting them be part of the process of making their own unique pens together. Brian also is involved in creating personalised pens for departing Year 12 students, creating a poignant memento of their school years to take with them into the future. Many such students, now adults, often visit Brian’s stall, asking for refills for the pens they received long ago and still cherish.
“We believe in giving back”, Brian says. “Woodworking teaches patience, creativity, and the value of hard work—skills that transcend the craft itself.” “When you work a lathe, it is where beauty happens—the transformation of a simple block of wood into a beautiful piece of art.” He shares a knowing look with Linda, who watches our conversation with obvious affection. Their partnership, forged through years of enduring love and support for each other and those around them, speaks volumes beyond words.
In spite of all the setbacks Brian has faced with his health, there is a transcendent warmth and kindness in his eyes. He sees things with a calm and unique perspective of his work: “At the end of the day, it’s not just about what I create. It’s the relationships we build, the stories we share, and the ability to inspire others. Being the ‘Pen Man’ is my way of connecting with the world.”
Brian has countless stories of those he has connected with through his pen making, particularly as each pen comes with a story about the origin of the wood that has created it. “We get wood from so many different places, whether part of an old silky oak door from a hospital in Brisbane, or a piece of Urangan Pier – even wood from the oak tree featured in the movie ‘The Shawshank Redemption.’ One source of wood comes with particular reverence for Brian – a piece of olive wood from the Mount of Olives in Israel, which resonates with so many who come to visit his stall.
Brian hopes to continue to sculpt both wood and community, one pen at a time for as long as he can. His journey from a budding craftsman to a beloved figure in Hervey Bay exemplifies how passion can shape not only one’s life but also foster a sense of shared community. Brian’s workshop, is more than just a space for wood, it also carries the memory of so many stories of human connections and lasting friendships. Amidst the fragrant mix of fresh wood shavings, the promise of many more stories, told in wood, await.