It’s a craft that’s been in Australia probably since the First Fleet arrived 220 years ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And on the weekend of November 4 and 5, it will be demonstrated in all its intricate finery by the experts.
The skill of leather plaiting demands both nimbleness of finger and an eye for a beautiful object. Those who do it best will demonstrate the craft – or is it an art?
And there’ll be a competition where whips will be judged mostly on their effectiveness – how they crack, is there a recoil, how does it fall on the ground? Half the marks are for performance and half for craftsmanship.
The Australian Plaiting Championships runs at the Glen Innes Show Grounds. The event is also about plaiting leather into belts, hat bands or dog leads. They will demonstrate the Turks head knot.
The organisers say it’s also about “promoting and preserving the craft of plaiting and whipmaking in Australia”.