ABOUT
Hello my name is Paul McKinley, I am a self-taught stonemason and I had the privilege to sub contract to the late Master Stonemason Sid Bagley on a stone French Chateau in 1984-85.
I attained my stonemasonry certificate at Grandville TAFE in 1986 and obtained my stonemasonry license from the Builders Licensing Board August 1986. In 1990 I was invited to teach Stonemasonry at Ryde College of TAFE by Ray McInerney. Ray initiated the course mainly due for the need to teach landscapers the trade as there was a great increase in the use of natural stone incorporated into current landscape design trends. I was delighted to teach this course for four years. In 1996 I was again invited to teach Stonemasonry at Richmond TAFE in the newly formed Landscape Dept. I had the pleasure to teach many fine students for two years.
Employment: In 1983 I was employed to construct two stone gate houses and a large stone barn by Mr. Robert Smit. Robert had acquired large quantities of second-hand dimension stone from various locations around Sydney. Due to varying sizes available a random squared stone design was chosen with outstanding results. Hand hewn ironbark beams were used over barn door openings for that rustic look. After working for almost 12 months I had found my vocation; something about strength and durability; building in stone is a lasting thing.
I decided to concentrate my masonry skills on the construction of stone homes in the Hills and Hawkesbury regions of northern Sydney so 25 or so stone homes later my vocation continues.
In the following pages you will see various services I provide of stonework, ranging from houses & barns, fireplaces, restorations, bridges, custom artwork & signs, gateways & piers, retaining walls, cladding and pet headstones. I hope these pages will enlighten you to use stone in your future projects.
Regards Paul McKinley