The Victorian Woodworkers Association (VWA) is excited to bring back Design Club for 2026!

Following the positive feedback from our sessions last year, we’ve refined the concept slightly and opening it up for registration.

Design Club is an opportunity to practise design thinking and design communication skills in a supportive environment.

Each session, participants are invited to present a design or concept of their own for around 10–15 minutes and receive constructive feedback from fellow attendees.
Feedback will focus on two simple points: one aspect of the design that is working well, and one suggestion for improvement.

You are also very welcome to join simply to listen and observe, without presenting a project.
That said, we do encourage you to have a go at designing and presenting when you feel ready, as it’s a great way to get the most out of the sessions.

If you don’t currently have a design project you’re working on, we’ll also provide an optional design brief each month that you can use as a starting point.

Presentation can be in the form of a simple sketch or concept, a CAD drawing, a model, or a 3D render. This is completely up to you. 

When is Design Club?

Meetings will happen every 3rd Monday of the month, starting 16th February.

Who Can Join?

The VWA Design Club is open to active VWA members only.

If you’re not yet a member but would like to take part, we encourage you to register via this link: https://vwa.org.au/membership/ and join our growing community of makers, furniture designers, and woodworkers.

If you are unsure if your membership is active, log into the VWA website at https://vwa.org.au/membership/member-login/ and select the membership tab to check your membership status.

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Building a Stronger Woodworking Community

We see Design Club as more than just a meeting. It is a way to strengthen the culture of design in the woodworking world. By sharing ideas, challenging each other, and developing design language together, members will walk away better equipped to approach their own projects with confidence and creativity.

Whether you’re a professional furniture maker, a hobbyist woodworker, or an emerging designer, Design Club is an opportunity to sharpen your skills and connect with others who value craftsmanship and design excellence.

Like the sound of this?

To sign up to the Design Club click the Register Here button below, and fill out the form.

Group photo from our recent catch up with a few of VWA presidents in Nov 25. From left to right: Damien Wright, Jerome Wielens, David Hall, Hamish Hill, John Monument, Stephen Ziguras, Will Matthysen, David De La Cruz and VWA coordinator Anne-Claire Petre.

In Memory of Will Matthysen – A Master Craftsman, Leader and Friend

By Jerome Wielens (past President, Life Member and current Treasurer)

It is with a heavy heart that I write these reflections following the sudden and unexpected loss of a truly great man, a master craftsman and friend. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

A Welcoming Presence

When I first began attending VWA meetings, Will was one of the warm and welcoming faces who made me feel at home. He was President at the time, effortlessly balancing our conversations with his responsibilities to address the members and guide the proceedings. I always looked forward to catching up with him and hearing about his latest adventures, projects and ideas.

A Steady Hand

I had the pleasure of working with Will for nearly a decade on the VWA Committee, each of us serving in various roles over the years. It was Will, together with John Monument, who encouraged me to join the Committee. Later, they both supported me in becoming Vice President and then President.

In Committee meetings Will was pragmatic, considerate and supportive. Outside of meetings, he encouraged me and helped me grow into those leadership roles. It was a period of change for the VWA and one of my first significant leadership roles, so I valued his mentorship and wisdom deeply.

Leading by Doing

Will was never afraid to get his hands dirty. He led by example, helping set up exhibitions, joining working bees and pitching in for pre‑ and post‑meeting clean‑ups without hesitation. His willingness to contribute in practical, humble ways defined his leadership as much as any official role ever could.

A Craftsman of Extraordinary Talent

One of the highlights of my time with Will was the 2014 Create from a Crate Exhibition. It was among the first opportunities I had to see his extraordinary craftsmanship up close. I am grateful that this story was captured on video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZCTfbY_Pow), a piece I still revisit and whose background music still drifts into my head from time to time.

Watching Will transform two unremarkable hardwood crates into a beautifully engineered clock left me in awe. The closer you looked, the more you could appreciate the precision and attention to detail of an engineering mind, alongside the whimsy of a true creative. The little cloud detail, the timber choice, proportions and grain direction are some of the features that I admired. His work embodied a rare blend of technical mastery and artistic soul.

A Legacy of Mentorship and Service

Awarding Will Life Membership of the VWA remains one of the proudest moments of my Presidency. It was a fitting acknowledgement of his dedication to the woodworking community, his mastery of craft and his unwavering generosity in mentoring emerging woodworkers. His influence helped shape not just the work but the careers and passions of many who followed.

A Lasting Impact

The VWA is deeply grateful for Will’s contributions and the remarkable legacy he leaves. His craftsmanship, mentorship and friendship touched many. His spirit will continue to shape our community for years to come.

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Hamish Hill who wrote our recent post here, also has a few words to share about Will.

I came across Will at the very first Working with Wood Show at The Royal Exhibition buildings in 1988. He was manning a small lonely booth with two very large wall mounted very sculptural, wooden clocks for company. As was my way I thrust a VWA membership form into his hands and convinced him it would be good for him to join, truthfully he didn’t take any convincing, but he did join and in the initial years he would appear regularly at our monthly gatherings whilst expanding his knowledge in all things woodwork and horological.

As an architect Will had worked in the UK and Hong Kong under Norman Foster and in Australia, he also took on some part time teaching at RMIT and Melbourne University in their Architecture schools. This pursuit of knowledge included doing a part time wood course at Box Hill Tafe and a clockmaking course at RMIT.

As a VWA member Will was a regular contributor to exhibitions and discussions, and in 1994 he joined the committee and appears to have been on and off the committee for several years until 2002 when he took over the Presidents role. As I recall Will dedicated a great deal of time and energy to improving the facilities and programmes in the Design studio as well as regularising the leasing arrangements. Whilst President, when offered the opportunity to take on the insurance scheme, he leapt at it and formalised a very effective and valuable scheme to the great advantage of the VWA and its membership.

Will had the eye of a well-trained designer and the hands of a highly skilled craftsperson. His willingness to learn and teach were a constant and his enthusiasm for everything to do with wood was evident. Through the Studio Woodworkers he expanded his pool of woodworking friends and admirers and I am sure all those who met Will remember a quiet humble man with a playful laugh and a discerning eye. My favourite memory of Will was when visiting me at home one day he was checking out the crazy buildings I had built as a playground for visiting step grandchildren and his first comment was “Now THAT”S Architecture”

Hamish Hill. (past President & Life Member)

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You can also watch this video from SBS here, or listen to this podcast Will Matthysen Clockmaking Virtuoso and this one Will Matthysen: apartheid lost a son, but the world gained a Clock Maker.

Will Matthysen in 2014 with his award winning Clock 174 made from recycled crate parts for the Create from a Crate exhibition. Make sure you also watch the video (link included in the above text)

Below are a few of Will’s incredible creations. 

Hamish Hill (VWA Life member and ex-President) has written a few words about Will. “It is sad to have to relate the unexpected death of Will Matthysen, to heart attack, in the early hours of New Year’s Eve. Will was a friend to many woodworkers around the country and his positive energy will be greatly missed by us all. He served the VWA extremely well as President for 3 years and a committee member for 4 or 5, overseeing the introduction of the greatly profitable Insurance scheme as well as guiding the VWA through difficult negotiations regarding tenants and tenancy at the Meat Market and Arts Victoria, as well as organising a blockbuster exhibition in 2005. Below is a brief biography I wrote for the VWA History: Architecture was Will’s profession before he allowed the pleasures of making clocks to consume him. He originally worked on several large and small architectural projects in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia, as well as trying his hand at teaching architecture. Will joined the VWA in 1991 after I accosted him at The Working with Wood Show in the Royal Exhibition Buildings. At the time he was exhibiting two magnificent large sculptural wall clocks he had made. He went on to develop and refine the making of fine clocks both wall and smaller cabinet based, mantel clocks. Now in 2025 he has made well over 200 of these sculptural, individual works of fine wood and metal craft that demonstrate his architectural background and fastidious, highly skilled workmanship. ‘I fear words are totally inadequate’. Oh Lackaday! Hamish Hill”

As we wrap up another vibrant year at the Victorian Woodworkers Association, we’re looking back at the moments, meetings, and makers who shaped 2025. From inspiring presentations to practical conversations, new residents, community wins, and shared learning, it’s been a year that reflects the strength and generosity of our creative community. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been involved.

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Here’s a look at what unfolded across the year:

• Feb – A relaxed first meeting of the year, sharing updates and hearing what members wanted from 2025.

• Mar – Wei Wu (Woodway Studio) on material-led design and thoughtful experimentation.

• May – We set off to visit Glen Arm Trees to learn about agroforestry, what it takes to grow trees and then turn them into furniture-grade timber. Read more. 

• Jun – AHEC presentation on sustainable American hardwoods and emerging global timber insights. Read More. 

• Aug – Pricing Panel: a practical discussion on quoting, pricing models, and communicating value. Read more

• Oct – AGM + CERES Fair Wood on ethical timber sourcing; congratulated 2025 Vic Wood Scholarship recipient Ben Adams. Read More. 

• Dec – End-of-Year Artists in Residence presentations, celebrating progress and welcoming new residents. Read more. Read more…

Alongside our meetings, 2025 was a year of strong creative activity across the VWA community. During Melbourne Design Week, several members and Residents presented work exploring materiality, sustainability, and contemporary craft. Read more.

VWA makers were also recognised in the Clarence Prize, with finalist Jess Humpston and a collaborative entry from Adam Markowitz and Ruth Allen. Read more. 

Our Vic Wood Scholarship program continued its support for emerging makers, with this year’s scholarship awarded to Ben Adams and we got some wonderful updates from our 2023 recipient Hannah Cheetham.

We welcomed two new Artists in residence, Caleb Biffanti and Margot Feast.

We also launched Design Club, a monthly, informal gathering that has quickly become a favourite space for sharing works-in-progress, testing ideas, and supporting each other’s design development.

As we look toward the new year, we want to thank every maker, member, supporter, and visitor who has been part of the VWA community in 2025. Your creativity, curiosity, and generosity continue to shape this space.

Here’s to more learning, making, and shared moments in 2026.

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Margot is captivated by the design process and its unlimited possibilities. 

With a background in sculpture her work focuses on exploring the visual elements of space and form in creative and dynamic ways. Inspired by landscape, journeys and life’s dualities her work further aims to invite connection, conversations and wonder. 

She favours hand tools in her making imbuing each piece with a tactile quality and craftsmanship. Her work, ranging from lamps to dining tables and everything in between carry both functionality and imagination at their core.     

We are thrilled to have Margot join us for the next three years and looking forward to seeing her projects come to life in the workshop.

Jess Humpston has come to the end of her limited 3 year tenancy period with our Artist in Residence program – we can’t believe how quickly the time has flown! Jess has been a real success story for the VWA and we are very proud of what she has accomplished while in residence at our Wood Design Centre.

Jess actually started her woodworking journey as a student of our evening school before leaving to take the Sturt year long program. Having originally studied fashion and interior design, she combined these skills and returned with a very impressive portfolio from Sturt, and was readily accepted into the Artist in Residence program alongside her Sturt classmate Brandon. Recipient of numerous awards, in 2022 during her first year as Artist in Residence, she was named Woodreview 2022 Maker of the Year, and took out the Chairs, Tables and Desks category as well as being highly commended in 2 other categories.

In 2023 she was a finalist in the Clarence Prize in Hobart, one of Australia’s most prestigious furniture prizes – this year she was shortlisted yet again in the biennial competition, this time being awarded with Emerging Designer Award. In 2024 she was awarded the Furniture Design Prize and the Authentic Design Alliance Award of Merit at the Vivid Emerging Designer Awards. She has exhibited numerously during her time with the VWA, including The Chair exhibition with Craft Victoria where she showed her incredible fishing wire stick CH-AIR, as well as Design Fringe and Seeing + Knowing with Craft ACT.

In 2024 she co-curated a Melbourne Design Week show Holder, which was a major effort to exhibit the work of 8 emerging craftspeople at the Abbotsford Convent. Jess’s work recently has evolved to explore repetition and mixed materials such as pewter and stone in contrast with her finely crafted woodwork.

We have been extremely proud of everything Jess has achieved and look forward to seeing where she takes her practice next. Fortunately, we will still have her within our community as she continues to teach our evening classes!

Thanks for being a great Artist in Residence Jess.

Meet Ben Adams – our 2025 Vic Wood Scholarship recipient!

From his studio in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Ben brings life to timber through thoughtful design and traditional techniques. Each piece he makes carries the character of sustainably sourced local woods and the care of a true craftsperson.

But Ben’s passion goes beyond the workshop. He’s committed to teaching and sharing knowledge, building community around the craft he loves. That spirit of generosity and enthusiasm is exactly what made him stand out to us this year.

Congratulations Ben! We can’t wait to see your updates!

Photo credits: Bryony Dux

Follow Ben on instagram @benadamsfurniture

The Victorian Woodworkers Association (VWA) is excited to launch our newest initiative: Design Club.

After a successful trial earlier this year, we’re now opening it up as a regular offering for our woodworking community.

Why Design Club?

Design is at the heart of fine woodworking. Whether you’re building furniture, turning objects, or experimenting with new forms, strong design skills can make the difference between a good project and a great one. Design Club provides a space where woodworkers, makers, and designers can:

• Practise design communication skills in a relaxed, supportive environment
• Gain practical advice on design execution and problem-solving
• Refine constructive critique skills, learning how to both give and receive valuable feedback
• Connect with peers who share a passion for woodworking, craftsmanship, and design

What is Design Club?

An informal monthly online meeting where participants will present designs for critique, as well as provide feedback on others’ designs.

Meetings will begin on Monday October 13th.

Who Can Join?

The VWA Design Club is open to active VWA members only.

If you’re not yet a member but would like to take part, we encourage you to register via this link: https://vwa.org.au/membership/ and join our growing community of makers, furniture designers, and woodworkers.

If you are unsure if your membership is active, log into the VWA website at https://vwa.org.au/membership/member-login/ and select the membership tab to check your membership status.

Building a Stronger Woodworking Community

We see Design Club as more than just a meeting—it’s a way to strengthen the culture of design in the woodworking world. By sharing ideas, challenging each other, and developing design language together, members will walk away better equipped to approach their own projects with confidence and creativity.

Whether you’re a professional furniture maker, a hobbyist woodworker, or an emerging designer, Design Club is an opportunity to sharpen your skills and connect with others who value craftsmanship and design excellence.

This sounds excellent. How do I sign up?

To sign up to the Design Club click the Register Here button below, and fill out the form. Registrations will close on Monday 6th October.

How do you put a price on your craft?

Join us at The Leveson in North Melbourne for a relaxed and open roundtable discussion on one of the trickiest topics in woodworking: pricing your work.

Hosted by the Victorian Woodworkers Association, this panel session is for professional and emerging woodworkers who want to hear from others in the field to gain a better understanding of how to value their time, skill, and materials.

VWA Vice President Adam Markowitz will MC the night, joined by a small panel of experienced makers and business owners, George Harper from Tide Design, Nick Coyle & Sunny Wilder from The Timber Trip.

They will share and discuss the real-world strategies (and pitfalls) they’ve encountered when pricing their work, and cover topics like:

• Charging for design

• Factoring in profit and overheads

• Communicating value to clients

• Balancing art, time and money

Bring your questions, your stories, and your friends. This is a casual, supportive event where everyone has something to share.

Meeting Details
When: Tuesday 26th August 2025, 7pm – 9pm
Location: 46 Leveson Street, North Melbourne, VIC 3051

Bar Nibbles will be provided.

Please register here to help us cater for the event.

Over the past three months, the VWA has successfully run a trial of a new initiative – a monthly Design Club. 

The intent was to give members an opportunity to: 

• Practise their design communication skills in a relaxed and friendly environment 

• Gain practical advice on design execution 

• Refine their constructive critique skills 

We’ve learnt a lot over the trial period and are looking forward to launching this into a regular opportunity for members. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for updates via the newsletter and on our social media.