As part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, Wootten will open its doors on the two Sundays during the festival for Workshop Tours with bootmaker, Jess Wootten. Join the tour to gain an insight into the workings of one of Australia’s last remaining shoemaking workshops.

Learn about leathers and their tannage, the machinery and processes used and the importance of all the bits you don’t see. From the structural leather used to the difference between a hand welted construction to a goodyear welted construction through to the unique McKay welted construction used by Wootten.

Head bootmaker Jess Wootten will take you through the process from start to finish, sharing insights from the business’s nearly 50 year operation, and explaining what to look out for in modern production shoes. This informal walk-through will involve a ranging conversation centered around provenance, durability and longevity.

Tours will take place three times each day and bookings are recommended as only approximately 15 spots available per slot.

Times are 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Tours go for one hour, so please allow yourself the time.

Dates: Sunday 19th and Sunday 26th May 2024 at the Ballarat workshop: Shed 1, 20 Elizabeth Street Delacombe

**TO BOOK YOUR PLACE: ** Please email us with the following information filled out and sent to: workshop@wootten.com.au

Subject Line of Email: Booking for Wootten Workshop Tours

Name: ____

Email: ___________

Mobile: __

Requested Workshop Tour Date: (Sun 19th or Sun 26th May) _________

Requested Time (10am, 12pm, or 2pm): ____

Number of Attendees: ____

We will update the available spots below as we book people in.

Sunday 19th May 10am: 10 spots available

Sunday 19th May 12pm: 14 spots available

Sunday 19th May 2pm: 15 spots available

Sunday 26th May 10am: 10 spots available

Sunday 26th May 12pm: 7 spots available

Sunday 26th May 2pm: 6 spots available