As part of our ongoing mission to promote the appreciation of fine woodworking and skill development for all woodworkers, we aim to provide high quality and engaging courses in woodwork for people of all levels. Whether you are a beginner, amateur, or professional, if you have an interest in refining your skills it is our aim to help you get what you need while creating a strong community of people with a shared passion. Check out our woodwork education programs below.
Upcoming Courses
Make a box course
When: 22, 23, 25 and 26 July 2019 (4 days)
Hours 10.00am to 4.00pm (with a ¾ hour break for lunch)
Where: Association’s workshop, 50A Spring Street, Abbotsford
Tutor: Long-term Association member and talented woodworker
and box maker, Alex Springall
Cost: $250 (includes notes and timber)
About Alex: Alex is a highly skilled woodworker and box-maker who trained with Les Miller and at Sturt School for Wood. He has exhibited successfully in NSW and Victoria and took first prize in the Australian Wood Review Open Box competition in 2008.
To view some examples of his exceptional work, go to
www.springall-fine-woodwork.com then click on the Gallery page.
Course content: The course will look at various box designs. Participants will be encouraged to design and make their own box in accordance with their skill level. The course will cover design considerations, making a cutting list, selecting your timber, dressing the materials, assembly, setting hinges and finishing. Various corner joints, hinged, sliding and lift-off lids, legged boxes and non-rectangular boxes will be examined.
Course pre-requisites: Only a basic level of woodworking skill is required, but participants with higher-level skills will be encouraged to make a box that challenges them.
Wood and finishes will be supplied, and some hinges and locks will be available for purchase. If you have that special piece of wood that you want to use, please bring it along. Likewise, the workshop tools are there for your use, but feel free to bring your favourites if you prefer.
e. A limit of six participants will ensure all will receive considerable one-on-one tuition and guidance.
There is still one space left on the course. However, you can put your name on the waiting list and we will confirm a little bit closer to the course. If you wish to attend, please contact either Phil Nanlohy on philnanlohy@gmail.com or Clare O’Reilly on 0423 360 023 or by email clare.oreilly@iinet.net.au.
Introductory Woodworking with Matt Dwight Course finished
Table making course with Stuart Falkiner Course finished
External courses offered by our members:
Check out the links below for incredible workshops and learning opportunities provided by a few of our members.
Richard Crosland School of Fine Woodwork
Sydney’s Oldest School of Fine Woodwork with Richard Crosland
Richard’s classes consist of many students, some with engineering or design backgrounds, and some with no previous experience in woodwork at all – but they all learn the craft of furniture making. Students can try it or stay on to design & make their own furniture, custom designed for their houses, presents for other people or pieces taken from existing designs on the net. It’s a collaboration.
Find our more – Richard Cosland
Heartwood Creative Woodworking
Woodwork Classes in Sydney for the Creative at Heart
At Heartwood Creative Woodworking you can master the traditional skills of creating beautiful objects in wood.
Using finely crafted hand tools in our well equipped workshop, you will discover your own surprising abilities, and find new levels of patience and appreciation for beauty in the items you craft by hand.
Find out more – Stuart Faulkner
Terry Gleeson School of Woodwork
Want to improve your skills or learn new ones? Need a new hobby? We teach woodwork, turning, carving, dovetailing and other joinery in our fully equipped workshop at Middle Dural in Sydney’s North West.
Thirston Morris – Woodworking Classes
I teach beginners and intermediates, the necessary skills to create and finish a piece, first through a number of set pieces and then through furniture they want to make for themselves.
I help with everything from the design through to the final finish.
Through this process we will learn to value the materials with which we work, the knowledge which has come down to us and ourselves through our work.
These classes will suit anyone with a desire to create a fine piece of furniture that is both practical & beautiful, while attaining woodworking skills & a sense of achievement at having made it yourself.