A brief history of the Association

In 1977 a series of meetings were arranged by woodworking enthusiasts to discuss hosting an exhibition. A year later, with 20 participating woodworkers, the Woodcraft 78 Exhibition came to fruition.

This sparked the formation of the Woodworkers Group of NSW in 1978 (later to become the Woodworkers Association of NSW) which would continue to hold further successful exhibitions.

The founders, Leon Sadubin, Alan Wale and Les Miller, together with many other members have since become well known both in Australia and internationally. Leon Sadubin is best known for his furniture in the new Parliament House and the Power House Museum. Les Miller was foremost an educator who became a household name from his participation in the ABC’s Woodies program and The New Inventors. Alan Wale established the Sturt School for Wood in Mittagong in 1985.

Members such as Evan Dunstone, Geoff Hannah, Mathew Harding and Tony Kenway have been awarded Churchill fellowships as well as international recognition for their work. Many other members working quietly away on commissions produce uniquely designed furniture and other projects using a beautiful array of Australian and International timbers.

A major milestone for the Association was the leasing of premises at Abbotsford in 2009 to establish a Members Workshop. Over the years woodworking machinery and hand tools have been systematically added to create our current well-equipped Workshop.

The social aspects of the Association are important and Members and guests  regularly meet at events such as Members General Meetings and Sharpening Day to discuss woodworking projects, share information, watch demonstrations / presentations and seek advice. Our Newsletter and updated Website are important lines of communication to share the latest woodworking information - particularly to those outside the Sydney metropolitan area.

Over the years, the Association has developed into an inclusive forum for anyone interested in woodworking, we continue to liaise with government departments and industry, provide educational and public information sessions with a regular presence at events such as Timber, Tools and Artisans shows.

The Association has held many exhibitions over the years, including:

• Woodcraft 78, the Design Centre Sydney, 1978
• OTC House, Martin Place, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983
• Woodcraft goes to the Opera, The Opera House Exhibition Hall 1985
• Woodcraft goes to the Opera, The Opera House Exhibition Hall 1987
• Hands on, Dixon Gallery, State Library of NSW, 1991
• For Tomorrow, Mitchell and Dixon Galleries, State Library of NSW, 1993
• Woodmasters 2000, ABC building, Ultimo, Sydney, 2000
• Sydney & Canberra Craft Show 2004
• Woodworkers@home, Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 2005
• Sydney & Canberra Craft Show 2006
• Dank Street Exhibition 2007
• Dank Street Exhibition 2009
• Chifley Tower Exhibition 2012
• Creations in Wood 2014, Gallery Lane Cove, September 2014
• Creations in Wood 2015, Gallery Lane Cove, September 2015

Woodworkers Group of NSW - Co-ordinators from 1978 to 1983:

In 1984 the Group introduced titles of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

Following incorporation in 1989, the first AGM of the Woodworkers Association of NSW was held 12 February 1990 and, in accordance with its new Rules of Association, a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and five committee members were elected. Since that meeting the following have held the Office Bearer roles: