Since the 2023 Christmas tornado, Tamborine Mountain Creative Arts (TMCA) has gained a renewed perspective on the importance of future-proofing its facilities.
The storm left a trail of destruction, with fallen trees and water damage affecting several buildings – including a tree that completely destroying the club’s kiln shed.
The original structure, built in July 2000, had not undergone any upgrades since then.
In response, TMCA president Gary Stevens took the initiative to design a new extension to the pottery studio, aiming at minimising the impact of any future extreme weather events.
Rather than simply rebuilding what was lost, he chose to expand the existing space and incorporate a new kiln shed under one roof.
He said the project also addressed the club’s growing needs.
“We had the issue of the existing pottery building not being big enough to cater for the membership we had,” Gary said.
“The smartest solution was to extend the existing pottery to cater for more people.”
In 2024, TMCA secured just under $95,000 from the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund, with the club contributing approximately $30,000 towards the build.
The extension includes a 16-square-metre verandah, additional storage, a fresh paint job and two new pottery wheels.
Gary said it was important for the build to include a space for people to relax and spend time together.
“Creative arts in general caters to a wide section of the community and people come there for different reasons, some of those reasons are social,” he said.
“It was also about providing an external space where people can sit outside undercover and just chat, have a cuppa and talk about their problems if they had any.”
Since the extension was completed in April 2026, Gary has already noticed a positive shift, with membership numbers on the rise.
Gary hopes the wider community will take the opportunity to explore the new facilities and discover what TMCA has to offer.
Pottery sessions are available to members seven days a week, from 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm.
For more information, contact Gary on 0414 231 284.
