BARRAPORT man John Piccoli has 126,000 spanners on his property.
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A lot of them sit in his shed, waiting to be used in his next project.
But even more have already welded together to create some impressive sculptures.
Spanner sculptures are something Mr Piccoli has been doing as a hobby since 2000.
“I was farming up until 2000. Then I leased the land and retired,” he said.
“This was just something to do. Farming is an eight-day-a-week job and I’m someone who likes to do things.”
Since 2000, Mr Piccoli said he had created 133 artworks using spanners, with 40 or 50 of them large sculptures that were dotted around his property.
The sculptures have attracted regular tourists since 2009.
“The first one was a little coffee table that used the 600 spanners I had lying around the property,” Mr Piccoli said.
“In the first nine years there were no tourists, now we have regular tour groups, I don’t have as much time as I used to.
“I didn't really go out of my way to do attract tourists. I was just enjoying retirement and spending time in workshop.”
Over the years, Mr Piccoli has spent more than $250,000 on spanners.
“We pick them up at swap meets, Bendigo and Ballarat have good swaps,” he said.
“I restrict myself to (spending) $2 per spanner. The tours pay for the spanners.”
Mr Piccoli constructs the sculptures in his shed using a winch and block and tackle to help hold them up.
He has been restricted to a wheelchair since being diagnosed with polio in 1949.
“I’ve grown up with that and basically been in a wheelchair the whole time,” he said. “You’re only restricted by your lack of determination. If I want to do something, I usually do it.
“Everyone seems to be pretty pleased with the sculptures but I just do it because I can. I don’t see anything special about them.”
Mr Piccoli’s Barraport property will be opened up on September 2 as part of the Naturally Loddon Spring Festival.
The Naturally Loddon Spring Festival holds 14 events between September 2 and November 4.
Piccoli’s Star Spanner Sculpture Gardens are open from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, September 2. Entry is $5 for adults and free for children under 16.