A Tribute to Will Matthysen
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.
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)
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.
