The Traditional Stonemason

Traditional stonework on show in the Adelaide Hills

With a generation of stonemasons hanging up their toolbelts and entering retirement, 38 year-old Ilir Frroku is making a name for himself on the Adelaide Hills trade scene.  

Beginning his training as a stonemason in Europe at the age of 17, Ilir spent 11 years honing his craft across Greece and Italy.

“When I was very young, I had the opportunity to learn the traditional techniques of stonemasonry from the old men who had worked for fifty years in the profession. Now, the older stonemasons who migrated to Australia are retiring and there are limited opportunities for young people to learn the traditional methods. I believe it is important to learn when you are young, but to learn from old hands.”

Mr Frroku’s European training is in high demand, particularly with winter bringing increasing requests for traditional stone fireplaces.

Working across the residential and commercial sector, Ilir specialises in handcut stone walling and paving, and utilises the region’s highly sought after bluestone and sandstone. His talents are now on show at Atelier Crafers, where he has completed extensive stonework throughout the café and mezzanine art gallery.

Additionally, Mr Frroku has restored heritage-listed drystone walls at Strathalbyn, and expanded his work in residential estate development, constructing the stone walls for Bluestone Estate, Mount Barker.

“I am working mostly with local bluestone. It is a harder stone than the stone in Greece, and harder to cut by hand, but I really like the colour and the finished product.”

“I think there will always be a demand for traditional stonemasonry. I completed stonework for the Gilberton Pump Station, and it was the local residents who requested that the plans be altered to use bluestone instead of synthetic building materials.”

For more information, visit The Traditional Stonemason on Facebook or phone 0450 745 099. To see Ilir’s stone work, stop in for a drink by the fire at Atelier Crafers at 1 Cox Place Crafers.

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