Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Australian Wood Review

It’s easy to get carried away with the current maelstrom of AI and automated technology we’re currently witnessing. Digital apps and social media sites are prompting us to use their creation services to generate words, images and designs. Should we be afraid of a loss of our own capabilities or even identity? My answer is yes, and no. So what’s this got to do with woodworking? A month or so prior to the entry deadline for Maker of the Year, presented by Carbatec, I noticed that many of the entry descriptions were a lot more ‘eloquent’, if you like. My guess was ChatGPT was ‘helping’, however these descriptions said a lot less in terms of meaning. Authenticity was missing – I couldn’t get a sense of the person, or the…

PRESENTED BY As we dive into a future guided by artificial intelligence and machine learning, the spotlight here remains firmly on the value of handmade. Even with use of CNC, digitised and machine technology, the hand of each human maker is evident in the collection of contemporary work created by this year’s field of entries. Each piece represents a combination of human choices made in response to needs, materials, preferences and influences. The why is often as important as the how and the what with. It’s the unique nature of this work that makes judging these awards difficult. Fortunately, our judges collectively have decades of experience as makers, designers, educators, curators and artists. Thanks and appreciation go to our incredible judging team: Will Acland (UK), Michelle Boyde, Pam Erasmus, Ashley…

PRESENTED BY SUPPORTING SPONSORS WINNER: GRAHAM MCDONALD WHAT THE JUDGES SAID This beautifully crafted mandolin stood out for its elegant proportions, thoughtful material choices, and refined detailing. The carved Sitka spruce soundboard pairs well with blackheart sassafras, creating a visual warmth, and the ebony fingerboard and bridge provide a nice contrast. It reads as a highly resolved piece, showing strong design intent and execution inspired by Art Deco, a deep respect for both form and sound, and a level of technical control. It made me want to pick it up and play it, the only downside being not able to hear its tonal quality! Michelle Boyde The repeated cloud-like detailing brings a clear sense of coherence across the piece, tying it together with subtle confidence. Graham’s creative approach and thoughtful…

PRESENTED BY SUPPORTING SPONSORS WINNER: BENJAMIN ADAMS Newington College, NSW. Teacher and photographer: Joe Glover WHAT THE JUDGES SAID I was instantly drawn to this well considered piece – its restrained design and detailed joinery working beautifully with the asymmetric detail on the doors. I particularly like the positioning of the door handles, it all adding up to a visually pleasing and practical form. The interior is tastefully uncluttered with a drawer or two, which would have been nice to have seen open. Hopefully Benjamin carries on with his craft, as he clearly has a flair for it – well done! Pam Erasmus Benjamin’s piece is well balanced both tonally and in proportion. The repetition of the joinery profiles as the inlay motif is a nice touch, adding a subtle…

I live in the small country town of I Newstead, Central Victoria and work as a designer maker of one-off pieces, from small wall-hung cabinets and other furniture to structures such as cabins, sheds and barns. Early learnings An early interest in making things had me seeking out teachers and places to learn. I graduated from RMIT in 2008 with a diploma in furniture design. At RMIT I did what all good young designers do, be bold… with various levels of success. My first chair attempt was a one-armed, red upholstered number. Interesting, but without nuance or great craftsmanship. Splines and dowels made up for the lack of mortise and tenon joints and bland Victorian ash was all I could afford as a 19 year old uni student. Across the…

At first glance I admit to thinking this just another quick accessory gimmick. However this anodised aluminium setting kit is a winner. It arrives in a carry case and has seven gauges for measuring 3, 4, 6, 8,10,12 and 13mm. Each gauge is 150mm long and 5mm thick and can measure three ways, these being height, depth and width. Setting router cutters or saw height at a table is easy using the centre cut-out. The upper tab is for depth checking and the tab on the side is good for occasional checking of thickness or setting to a fence. The components are extremely accurately machined so you can be assured of precision setting. Though not an essential tool, these gauges are very handy with the sizes good for many common…

I’ve struggled to find a good quality set of brad point drill bits for years, to the point of actively avoiding using this style of bit in favour of other tooling options. Similarly, I’ve spent a decade searching for high quality metric Forstner bits. Recently the German FAMAG brand has provided some very satisfactory solutions. FAMAG brad point drill bits The first time I used these bits I was utterly blown away with the cut quality. I loaded a 13mm bit into my drill press and drove it at 2000rpm into a piece of hoop pine. The bit cut super-fast, created zero upward chip-out (an issue with the upwardlyspiralling nature of many drills) and the resulting hole measured 13.01mm on my digital calipers, however this near-insignificant variation may just as…

SUPPORTING SPONSORS PRESENTED BY WINNER FURNITURE, AUSTRALIAN & WINNER RECYCLED & RESCUED: ISABEL AVENDAÑO HAZBÚN ‘This belongs to a larger collection of works where the entire ecological impact of each object is considered: material, production, use, storage, transport and disposal. The legs and backrests are pressure fitted into the spaces between the lap joints that make the bench seat. The shape of the backrests is held together through pins and compressed joints. The bench’s knockdown framework is an exercise in creative dry joinery, designed to be disassembled for reuse, repurpose or repair.’ WHAT THE JUDGES SAID Avendaño Hazbun’s bench is striking in its originality, combining a proto-modern grid with an industrial sensibility. The ebonised Tasmanian oak unifies the form, allowing the asymmetrical cylindrical elements to create a lively rhythm. Made…

PRESENTED BY SUPPORTING SPONSORS WINNER: LOUIS KWOK, SINGAPORE WHAT THE JUDGES SAID Kwok’s Top of the World is exquisite – a jewel-like object that draws viewers into its intricate detail and dynamic interactivity. Playful yet masterfully resolved, it invites exploration as both sculpture and kinetic experience. Though visually delicate, its sense of animation and imaginative presence make it compelling, a fascinating demonstration of craft, creativity, and conceptual ambition. Ashley Eriksmoen This small cabinet, floating off the floor and walls, suspended by a single cable, brings a sense of fun and is full of surprises. The work showcases the maker’s impressive skills – including coopering, dovetails, curved doors and drawers and a blend of veneering and solid timber work, packaged tightly into a neat, highly original design. Jono Everett RUNNER-UP: KATIE…

Danish Quality Furniture (DQF) is both the name of a small, Brisbane manufacturer of Danish style furniture, and an apt description of the furniture that they produced during the 1960s and 70s. The company was started by a Danish couple, Erik and Inga Petersen, who migrated to Australia, looking for a better life for their family soon after the end of World War II. They had already begun a business in Denmark making shelves for sound systems such as Bang and Olufsen. They flipped a coin to decide between Australia and Canada, paid their own fares, and, because the Danish Government would only allow a limited amount of money to leave the country, they used some of the proceeds from the sale of their home, to bring a couple of…

Diary listings are free. Email to: linda@woodreview.com.au Note: Listings are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. It is advisable to check details with the organiser before visiting. For more events and news sign up to AWR fortnightly newsletters at: www.woodreview.com.au 15–30 NOVEMBER 2025 Graduating Exhibition Sturt School for Wood, Sturt Gallery Cnr Range Road & Waverley Parade, Mittagong, NSW www.sturt.nsw.edu.au 22 NOVEMBER Tools & Trades Day Conference 2025 Hand Tool Preservation Association St Anthony’s, 164 Neerim Rd, Caulfield East, Vic, Dick Lynch: 0419 392 042, www.htpaa.org.au 22–23 NOVEMBER Hand Tool Event & Open Day Weekend Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking 14 Cottage St, Blackburn, Vic 3130 www.mgfw.com.au 27 NOVEMBER–13 DECEMBER Craft + Design Canberra Annual Members Exhibition Makers from the ACT and surrounding region craftanddesigncanberra.org…

Tucked beneath the iron-rich ranges of the Pilbara, Tom Price is Western Australia’s highest town, surrounded by a landscape of dramatic mesas and escarpments. Doug Talbot Park sits in the centre of town, a green, communal space for families and kids, framed by the intense red soils that define the region. When a powerful storm brought down a significant ficus tree within the park, the Shire of Ashburton saw not loss, but an opportunity to create something lasting. They invited me to carve the remaining stump. The tree had been a feature of the park for decades. Rather than remove it, the Shire of Ashburton wanted to create a sculptural reminder of its presence. Initially, they floated the idea of carving Australian animals, but the final direction leaned toward something…

SUPPORTING SPONSORS PRESENTED BY WINNER: JOSEPH ROBINSON, UK ‘I also intended for the bench to encourage you to take a moment to pause – hence the name Gratus, which derives from the Latin for grace and gratitude. The piece is designed for transitional spaces, like hallways or galleries, where people pass through but rarely stop. The gentle scoop of the seat, the floating effect, and the warm bronze accents are all subtle invitations to slow down, to notice, to sit.’ WHAT THE JUDGES SAID An ambitious concept – elegant, considered and a beautifully executed piece. The simplicity and pared back appearance of the work deftly conceals a multitude of engineering and fabrication challenges without compromising the design. Finely balanced visual weight, exceptional material use and finish. Jono Everett This piece…

PRESENTED BY SUPPORTING SPONSORS WINNER: HELEN BURNIP, UK Waters & Acland Furniture School Tutor: Tim Smith WHAT THE JUDGES SAID The Thorax Cabinet stood out for its originality and clarity of concept, beautifully realised with sensitivity and skill. The symbolism-rich use of olive ash for the cabinet interiors coupled with refined external joinery reflecting human joints reflect a deep engagement with both technique, material and meaning, successfully elevating the piece beyond function into something poetic and compelling. Stunning – well done! Michelle Boyde Helen’s piece shows an impressive balance of high detail and restraint beautifully crafted and executed. The material selection and grain layout is considered and accentuates the inviting and tactile human anatomy inspired detailing. The flatsawn grain on the ribcage structure is smart and very impactful in how…

These trolleys have been a staple of my workshop capability for decades. They’re structurally solid, quick, cheap and easy to make, and scalable in size. They serve many functions in the workshop, from ergonomically and quickly moving volumes of stock to acting as table surfaces for storage, assembly, glue-ups and polishing. I’ve used this fundamental build concept to design and make a whole range of custom furniture projects, from mobile breakfast benches to split-level BBQ trolleys, as you can see here. Construction style There is nothing radical about these trolleys, rather they are founded on simple joinery and framing methods, but I’ve added a couple of features that I believe add to the strength of this design. Firstly, there is a set of stretchers that span between both the upper…