Gisborne Gazette
BES T NE COM WS PAP MUN ER ITY 202 5
serving the southern macedon ranges
AUGUST 2026
Sculpting a reputation A COVID lockdown hobby has grown into a thriving creative pursuit for Paul Hurley, whose striking chainsaw sculptures are in demand around the region Macedon resident Paul Hurley is a self-taught sculptor who uses chainsaws and sanders to create human portraits and animal sculptures. Paul took up this hobby during the boring days of COVID and sculpting has since become a large part of his life. Paul trained as a biochemist at La Trobe University and spent most of his career working for diagnostic companies that supplied medical equipment to hospitals. He later moved into the marketing side but now devotes more of his time to the pastime he enjoys so much. His work has become known locally and he is receiving regular orders. He is currently working on a project for Woodend Primary School carving the figures of a bluetongue lizard, a cockatoo, an echidna and a duck on four cypress poles that will represent the school’s houses. Paul and his wife Jodee chose to move from Melbourne to Macedon mainly because it was a halfway point between Paul’s work in Melbourne and his parents’ home in Castlemaine. They also had the good luck of signing the contract for the construction of their home before COVID sent costs skyrocketing, and they moved in on Christmas Eve in 2020. Paul and Jodee and their children Patrick and Jasmine are so glad they made the move from Melbourne. They love being part of the Macedon community. How it begins: picture ► page 21
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Gisborne Gazette August 2026
Paul Hurley with one of his chainsaw-sculpted pieces.
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