These are some of the more recent works, adventures and occasionally inane ramblings of a stonemason. Some of it will have absolutely nothing to do with stone.
September 2019
We’re going to be based in Tasmania for about 6 months working, studying and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle that the island is renowned for, with some occasional trips back to the ‘North’ Island for work and research.
The start of this sojourn coincided with the Longford Academy spring master classes, which I’ve attended a number of times and thoroughly enjoyed the interaction and learning with fellow Heritage professionals.
The Longford Academy is run by the Australasian chapter of The Association for Preservation Technology International or APTI. It takes place at the world heritage listed convict sites of Woolmers and Brickendon in Longford, Tasmania. Rather than me waffle on check them out at https://aptaustralasia.wordpress.com. It’s enjoyable learning, good food and wine in a great setting and I highly recommend it for anyone involved in or looking to work in the Heritage area.
Sand slaking a traditional lime mortar 
Applying a limewash tinted with copperas solution 
Repointing with traditional lime mortar
May 2019
Repairs to the front wall of All Saints Church, a Blackett designed church in Tumut NSW, using traditional lime mortar.
As much of the moss and lichen as possible was kept on the soft handmade bricks to preserve the patina of the wall.
My thanks to Louise Halsey for her assistance with this project.
Autumn 2016
Currently working on the repair of walls to a Granite and brick cottage circa 1860 in the Bemboka area of NSW.
Using traditional lime mortar, stage one involves the dismantle and rebuild of two sections of wall that have been collapsing due to water ingress and drainage problems.
The cottage will also receive new guttering, drainage trenches and breather trenches all round.
August 2014 -Disclaimer
I’d just like to make it clear, Richard Senior Stone Projects has had absolutely no involvement with the appalling stone walls currently being built as part of the Narooma Streetscaping Project.
On the road again June 2013
I recently returned from a very enjoyable month in the Bright/Wandiligong area of Victoria, where I was working on a granite retaining wall with a couple of old colleagues Kevin White and Troy Stevens. A truly picturesque area with some great cycling….happy days.
Cool mornings 
Granite retaining wall
Letter Cutting April 2013
An enjoyable letter carving commission currently underway, the stone is Mintaro slate.
The initial layout 
The design is always evolving 
Cutting the letters 
Fixed in position 
Fixed to field boulder
Sustainability April 2013
I am lately reading more and more about the ‘green’ or low carbon credentials of using stone, quoting random figures of energy usage compared to other products with no reference to where these figures came from, and some of it in the trade journals that I subscribe to.
I do happen to believe in the long term sustainability of natural stone as a building product especially when used with traditional lime mortars, but if those who purport to represent the industry do not make sure their figures are spot on and the relevant journals and editors provide reference to these figures in articles, no one will take the claim seriously and the big PR budgeted product manufacturers will trample all over us.
So dear newly opened quarry owner please make sure you consider all the economies of scale, air miles for equipment, diesel belching excavators etc before telling the readers of ‘The Boondocks Bugle’ how green you are.
Pheeew……I feel better now.
Feb 2013
Going back to how it all started many years ago, I recently had the pleasure of completing a small dry stone retaining wall at Mogareeka in NSW. Both visually and cost effective, also fun working with stone in its basic form.
With dry stone retaining walls it’s the volume of stone behind, as well as binding the stone together correctly, that gives the wall its ultimate strength.
Dry stone retaining wall