Chances are, every time you flick on a light switch it was one designed by Bodo Mordek.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bodo, is a man of almost infinite talents; a craftsman, adventurer, photographer, pilot, writer, lepidopteris and a designer - to name a few.
He has one of the largest private butterfly collections in Australia, while a display cabinet designed and built by Bodo proudly sits in the NSW Supreme Court.
A man, who at 81 years, is too busy to stop working on one of his many projects.
Bodo came to Tuncurry via Sydney, Canberra, Rockhampton and New Caledonia as a 10 pound German back in the 1960s.
I've stayed here because of all the things I have and want to do; time passes so quickly.
- Bodo Mordek
But Australia wasn't his first choice.
The young adventurer had had his heart set on a future living in South America.
He even learnt Spanish in preparation for his new life.
However, while working for German engineering company, Siemens the offer of a cheap boat ride to Australia was too good an opportunity for a new life to pass up.
Australia's flora and fauna, in particular butterflies also tempted the young naturalist.
Bodo had been introduced to butterfly collecting as a youngster while living in Bavaria by German general and environmentalist, Rudolf Hofmann and his wife Gertrud.
Little did I know then what a great influence he would have on my life, even to this day, Bodo says.
A fascination with flying, Bodo advanced from building model gliders to gaining a B-licence as a 17-year-old to building a single seat Grunau craft.
Without instruments to guide or give the pilot a location, Bodo applied logic when he was flying, selecting landmarks such as a railway track during his 43 flights.
Bodo says he began making furniture through necessity, which in turn led him to building two long-case clocks - from the cabinet to the workings from Fijian mahogany.
Over the years I collected interesting books on clocks and learnt all their virtues in design and function through the ages, he said.
"I always wanted a long case that chimes and strikes and played music."
Bodo never made it to South America.
"I've stayed here because of all the things I have and want to do; time passes so quickly," he said.
"I always find something to do every day."
And, a last word from long-time partner Lesley: "He is very clever at everything he does."
Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Great Lakes Advocate newsletter here.
