Jetty timber gets a new lease on life

After sitting in storage for nearly two decades, jarrah timber piles salvaged from the Busselton Jetty refurbishment works have been given a new lease of life.

The timber was recently repurposed for wine storage units by Busselton craftsman Kevin Kealley to raise funds for the fourth instalment of the Busselton Settlement Art Project.

Mr Kealley said information supplied by ex-jetty workers suggested the holes in the timber were of a "unique" origin.

"Many of the holes were drilled to house bolts, but some … were purposely drilled for explosives," he said.

"This is because many jetties along the WA coastline were prepared for demolition by the military during World War II should invasion by the Japanese at that time become a reality."

The two wine storage units will be among the items auctioned at Vasse Felix next Friday from 5.30pm.

Tickets are available from the City of Busselton for $90 and include charcuterie, wine and door prizes.

The fourth instalment will celebrate the arrival of Spanish settlers and the wealth of wine-making skills they brought to the region.