Army veteran turns his passion into purpose this Christmas

This year, 700 hampers filled with gifts, food and goodies from local and veteran-owned businesses ensure veterans and their families have an extra special festive season. The project is a coveted tradition for RSL Queensland. 

Army veteran Kerry Corney decided to try his hand at woodturning almost seven years ago. Little did he know, the hobby would give him more than a few wooden items for around the house. 

A new purpose 

After growing up in a military family, Kerry joined the Australian Army at 19 and served for seven years. His service saw him involved in tours across Timor-Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan.  

While Kerry found the transition to civilian life initially difficult, he found solace in an unassuming hobby.  

“When I came home, I felt a bit lost. Working different jobs just didn’t give me that same fulfillment that I had when I was serving,” Kerry says. 

“That was until I decided to join in on my father-in-law’s retirement hobby of woodturning. 

“The process is quite complex but also therapeutic. The physical and mental aspects of woodturning keep you present, and having a tangible object at the end gives you a sense of accomplishment which is incredibly empowering.” 

Kerry says the activity also gives him a sense of mindfulness. 

“The physical aspect is a great stress reliever and engages all the senses. It requires complete focus on the task at hand, helping to clear the mind and ease any tension or worries you may have at the time,” he says. 

“You have to listen to how the machine is running and how the tool is cutting. You need to watch where the tool and timber is at all times and how the tool reacts to the wood. You also need to feel the tool in your hands and learn how to present and move it across the wood.” 

The power of a hobby 

Kerry says since finding this hobby, he has found his feet and stresses the importance of veterans to pursue extra activities that can provide a beneficial physical or mental outlet.  

“Having a hobby like woodturning gives me a sense of purpose, routine and structure. It provides me with an outlet for stress and gives me a personal space where I feel safe and can just be myself,” he explains. 

“Hobbies like woodturning or woodworking, cycling, golf, or martial arts also connect you to a larger community, which helps you avoid social isolation. 

“The biggest thing for me is that hobbies help with identity. You lose a part of your identity when you leave Defence, and without woodturning, I would have lost direction.” 

His latest project 

Kerry has continued to perfect his woodturning skills in his spare time, and now enjoys capturing content of his creations and selling his pieces online.   

This year, Kerry has embarked on his largest order to date – crafting 700 bespoke wooden key holder bowls for RSL Queensland’s Christmas hamper project.  

“When RSL Queensland reached out to me about the project and made the order, I was so excited to get involved. It’s the biggest order I’ve ever done and while it was a little daunting at first, to know my creations were going to be given to veterans and their families was all the motivation I needed,” he says. 

“These bowls are so versatile and not one will be the same, so every recipient will receive a one-of-a-kind momento which I think is really special.”