History
The Victorian Woodworkers Association (VWA) began in 1979 after the inaugural Australian Wood Conference at Melbourne State College, where founding members—including Vic Wood and Jim Lalor—held the first meeting. By November that year, the VWA was formally established with Vic Wood as its first president.
Through the early 1980s the VWA grew quickly, holding monthly demonstrations, collaborating with Craft Council Victoria and the Meat Market Craft Centre, and building a strong member community. The mid-1980s saw major expansion through public exhibitions, festival installations, regular workshops, and, in 1986, legal incorporation.
By the late 1980s the VWA was supporting new woodworking clubs across Victoria, hosting annual exhibitions, contributing to the Working with Wood Show, and expanding the Wood Access Workshop. The 1990s brought its 10th-anniversary exhibition, national engagement through the Australian Woodcraft Federation, and initiatives such as the first Australian Wood Design Exhibition at Orbost and “Women in Wood.”
By the early 2000s, the VWA had become a central hub for clubs, workshops, and craft education across the state. From 2000 to 2005 it continued its core work—events, exhibitions, and community programs—maintaining a strong focus on skills development, inclusivity, and the celebration of woodworking as both craft and art.
Discover the key milestones below, or download the full history.
1979
Victorian Woodworkers Association (VWA) established following a wood conference at Melbourne State College, with Vic Wood elected as the first President
1980s
Demonstrations at Moomba festivals and partnership with Knox City Council for annual festivals featuring public woodcarving
1984
First exhibition held at the Forestry Commission Gallery
1986
Legal incorporation and the appointment of Norman Anderson as President
1988
Participation in the inaugural Working with Wood Show
Hosted notable woodworker Garry Knox Bennett
1989
Annual exhibition relocated from the Meat Market Craft Centre to Doncaster Gallery
1992
Hosted visits from internationally renowned craftspeople Ian and Betty Norbury
1993
Joint venture agreement with the Meat Market Craft Centre to manage the Wood Access Workshop, providing a permanent home and workshop facilities.
Tenant woodworkers provided space in the Meat Market workshop. Over time this developed into the Artists in Residence program for emerging woodworkers.
2000
First website set up
2002
Established a national craft public liability insurance scheme
Administrative officer engaged to help manage insurance and school
2003
Create from a Crate and START exhibitions showcasing student work.
2004
Secured a 15-year lease at the Meat Market with Arts Victoria.
2005
Victorian School of Woodwork begins teaching fine woodwork to members of the public
2014
More women joining as students, members and committee members
2016
Expanded social media presence
2017
Double Take in Wood exhibition featuring Create from a Crate and Fine Woodwork
2021
Website revamped to enable members and students to sign up and pay online
2022
Vic Wood Award established to provide a scholarship for an emerging woodworker
Survey of woodworker professionals in conjunction with the Melbourne Business School
2025
Appointment of Coordinator to help manage VWA activities
Part of looking in our history, lead us to reuniting a few past presidents for a lunch at the Wood Design Centre, sharing laughs, stories, and fond memories from their time with the VWA.
We marked the occasion with a photograph in the workshop – from left to right – Damien Wright, Jerome Wielens, David Hall, Hamish Hill, John Monument, Stephen Ziguras, William Matthysen, David De La Cruz and VWA coordinator Anne-Claire Petre.
Legacy and impact:
Throughout its first 26 years, the VWA maintained monthly meetings (except January), organised annual exhibitions, ran educational workshops, and facilitated connections between professional and amateur woodworkers.
The organisation played a crucial role in promoting Australian timbers, supporting craft education through partnerships with institutions like the Melbourne School of Woodcraft, and maintaining the delicate balance between serving professional craftspeople and enthusiastic amateurs.
Images in order of appearance:
Woodworking Festival 1993 / Hamish Hill Chair, VWA Exhibition 1992
VWA Woodworking class 2004 / Chair Making Masterclass 2004
VWA Festival 1993 1&2
Eildon District Festival 1992
Vic Wood – VWA exhibition 1990
VWA Box making workshop circa 1990 / Vic Wood at the Festival Demonstrations & Clubs circa 1992-93
Hamish Hill Boxes – Create from a Crate / VWA stand at the Working with Wood exhibition 2008