External Workshops
We can deliver custom training at your venue, contact us to discuss your training needs.
LEARN MORE
Stone of Arc actively promotes traditional techniques
Stone of Arc provides a rare opportunity for people in the Oceana and Asia regions to learn dry stone construction techniques, developed over millennia throughout the world, by every civilization, in exactly the same way.
A full range of courses and events is offered to satisfy everyone from hobbyists to gurus.
Our Training Centre
Set on farmland in the foothills of Mount Arthur near Wellington, NSW, Stone of Arc’s purpose-built dry stone training centre is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Our training structures are all built to Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) UK test standards comprising different types of stone and incorporating all the styles and features required to advance from beginner through to expert.
To ensure the highest standards are met, all courses are delivered by certified DSWA UK instructors, and all levels of training align with globally recognised structural principles. For those wishing to pursue accreditation, examinations will be conducted by accredited DSWA UK examiners.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation can be booked during the course booking process or you can take a look and book from here.
Our Training Courses
For most people taking an Introductory training course is the best place to start. Even those with some experience may benefit from revisiting the fundamental principles.
Courses provide participants with a clear understanding of the theory and principles of dry stone work, specific techniques, and a great deal of hands on practice.
All courses run from 9:30AM-4:30PM for 2 days unless otherwise stated. For participants benefit course places are limited to 10 in most instances.
A reasonable level of experience or completion of an Introductory course is a prerequisite for further courses and practice events.
Stone of Arc provides the following for all course types:
- An appropriately qualified instructor
- Tools, safety glasses, and sun protection
- Lunch and refreshments
- Optional wallers dinner at the Lion of Waterloo on Saturday night
- Onsite accommodation and camping options with breakfast
- A certificate of completion
- Course information booklet
- Access to ongoing project support
- The option to buy tools, gloves, books and merchandise
Participants are required to bring:
- Hat, gloves, water bottle and strong footwear (preferably steel-toed)
- The desire to get dirty, learn and create!
Regular TRAINING Courses
Our introductory courses provide participants with enough knowledge and experience to be able to accurately identify traditional walling methods, commence a basic private project, and pursue further learning.
Swiftly develop your skill set on our 4-day practical intensive course covering wall heads, stone shaping, curves and retaining walls. A fantastic foundation for anyone wishing to undertake a private project or pursue a fascinating new career.
All walls need to start and end somewhere so understanding the fundamentals and significance of a cheekend (or wall head) is vital to any construction you might aspire to create.
Building on previously attained skills, this course focuses on the fundamentals of constructing a curve.
This course focuses on the fundamentals of constructing a retaining wall. Retaining walls are built in a way that enables them to hold back earth and rock.
Demand Driven TRAINING Courses
In addition to all the elements of the standard Introduction to Dry Stone Walling course, this option covers specific tips for women in a supportive and exclusively female environment.
Typically used as a stock control feature (enabling sheep to pass where cattle can’t), lunkys can also be used to straddle waterways or other obstacles.
This course focuses on appropriately stepped foundations, equidistant placement of through-stones, horizontal coursing, and self-supporting placement of cope stones.
Stone of Arc facilitates events for people to practice and develop their dry stone skills
This course focuses on the fundamentals of constructing a square corner. You will develop your skills in accurately selecting and placing stones to tie both sections of wall together with an even inner and outer batter.
This course allows participants to learn and practice the construction techniques of both a step-stile and a squeeze-stile.
This course introduces the use of a former. You will learn how to create and set up a former, how to build over it, and remove it.
Pillars are an attractive addition to a wall head or gateway. This course focuses on the integration of quoins and methods to maintain a vertically accurate and stable structure.
Here we have an opportunity to move away from standard horizontally coursed walls and apply the same fundamental principles to random and vertical stone placement.
Accreditation Courses and Exam Events
For those who like a challenge, aspire to become a qualified or professional dry stone waller or to have their existing skills and experience formally recognised, Stone of Arc offers a range of exam-specific features and courses pertinent to all four levels of the Dry Stone Walling Association Craftsman Certification scheme.
Being the only DSWA endorsed training centre in the southern hemisphere, Stone of Arc facilitates dry stone Exam Events every spring and autumn for up to 8 candidates on each occasion. To prepare you for success, we also offer Exam Preparation courses providing detailed insight into the standards required by the DSWA UK. We also look at ways to improve your speed and efficiency for the timed test elements and offer significant pre-exam practice opportunities including a mock test. Register your interest or call us for a discussion.
EXAM
This certificate is an entry-level qualification. Candidates do not have to complete this level before progressing to Level 2.
EXAM
This is the first professional level qualification in the DSWA UK Craftsman Certification scheme. There are no prerequisites for this exam.
EXAM
This certificate has two parts which must be conducted separately and in order. Candidates must hold the Intermediate Level 2 Certificate before applying for Level 3.
EXAM
This certificate has two parts which must be conducted separately and in order. Candidates must hold the Advanced Level 3 Certificate before applying for this certificate.
To give you the best chance of success, it's advisable to prepare for the certification timed-tests by attending one of our Exam Preparation events.
For people holding Intermediate Level 2 certification or above, an Instructor Training Course is available.
Accommodation
A range of rustic onsite accommodation is available from double/triple rooms to camping (all with shared bathroom).
