Upon walking into the workshop owned by Carl Valerious, it’s as if you have been transported to another relm. The fire is burning, the creativity and hard work that is being produced can be seen on every angle. I notice the very distinct aroma of bee’s wax, which Carl tells me he uses a lot, along with petroleum jelly to crete his pieces of work. Carl’s latest project ‘Bill the bastard’ stands at a very impressive 17.1 hands high. It has a working, inner steel frame and the body is carved from polystyrene. Carl’s attention to detail is magnificent, and he expressed the importance of having the correct dimensions when constructing such pieces. The original ‘Bill the Bastard’ weighed in at an impressive 730kgs. He carried five men, (350kg) galloping for the last three kilometres taking them to safety from the Turks in WWl. During some of his battles he would be ridden for 5 hours. He out did other horses that were only expected to last half an hour, thus making him a legend.
Carl gives praise to Kevin Maher for his knowledge and contribution towards the project, to the extent of Kevin locating a horse shoe from 1917 to make a replication. Carl has also made five hats, five bayonets, and is working towards ten boots and 48 ammunition pouches. He is dedicating a lot of time to the construction of the men, almost finishing a soldier that will be in the strips. Carl’s work has gained the attention of ‘The Senior’s’ newspaper, ‘Motorcycles Magazine’ and on the local news. Carl comes from a very creative family, his cousin, Julie Ricketts has been inspired by the subject and is painting an oil painting of ‘Bill the Bastard’. So far Carl has completed nearly 300 hours work, towards what will be a very impressive display in Murrumburrah.
