Victorian Woodworkers Association

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Victorian Woodworkers Association

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Victorian Woodworkers Association, Nonprofit Organization, 5 Tyrone Street, North Melbourne.

Victorian Woodworkers Association (VWA) includes woodworking classes, Artist in Residence opportunities, affordable public liability insurance for artists & markers, woodworking scholarships. The VWA principal aims are to:

- promote the design and making of fine woodwork
- develop its markets
- support it as a viable career
- foster excellence in its production and design
- facilitate networking between woodworkers. To fulfil these objectives the VWA produces exhibitions, master classes, skills workshops, programs on a wide range of wood related topics at its bimonthly meetings, and website.

15/10/2026

Some recent news from .gillespie who finished her residency at the VWA back in August and moved back to her home in New Zealand. Wanda is a prolific artist and very much missed by everyone, and we loved hearing what she’s been up to recently.

"I was fortunate to be awarded a Jackie Winter gardens artist residency on the week before flying out, which was a wonderful rest amidst the chaos of moving.

The space was very thoughtfully designed with plenty of art and design books for inspiration. I spent my time drawing plans for various projects including creating a mystical alphabet, designing waterfall inspired abacus sculptures based on local waterfalls, and making a poster of the chronology of my abacus sculpture designs from 2015 – 2025. Much of this is unfinished work in progress at this stage. I’ve been very sad to leave the residency and the wonderful VWA community however I have been blessed to have a couple of upcoming exhibitions to come back for and stay connected.

In November I will be exhibiting a solo exhibition called the Weight of Being at Linden New Art Gallery in their project space. The official opening is Saturday November 21st from 1-3 pm and everyone is warmly invited.

I’ve also been fortunate to be awarded a City of Melbourne grant for an exhibition at the Meat Market in August next year. I intend to create more Newtons cradles and a suite of relief carved works. Stay tuned for updates."

We'll share more about Wanda's exhibition in the weeks to come and in the meantime, you can follow .gillespie

14/10/2026

WORKSHOP SPACE – THOMASTOWN - Space available at Worco.

Worco is a 2500m3 warehouse with very high ceilings divided up into various sized spaces for fabrication, restoration and making.

Worco is a registered co-operative and membership entitles everyone to a vote on how the co-operative is run. Our members range from instrument makers, cabinet makers, metalworkers, woodworkers, lead lighting, blacksmithing and more.

Space available is up 84 sqm (or two spaces of 42 sqm) is available. Costs are roughly $340 per month (inc GST) for 42 sqm, up to $620 per month for 84 sqm.

Find out more in our link below.
https://vwa.org.au/blog/community-news-october-2026/

12/10/2026

Our monthly Design Club online catch up is on next Monday 19th October - Bring yourself plus your idea / plans / drawings / sketches / models / full size prototypes or actual pieces. Everyone does it differently.
If this is the first time you come across our Design Club posts, here's a little explanation:
Design Club is an opportunity to practise design thinking and design communication skills in a supportive environment. You can also ask questions about a design or piece you've made or are making, and receive constructive feedback and advice from fellow makers and designers. We meet online via Zoom, from the comfort of our homes, studios or workshops.
Also if you join us for the first time, you can just sit back and take part of the conversation without presenting an idea. It really is a no pressure environment!
For more info and how to join in on these friendly online sessions, visit our link in below:
https://vwa.org.au/blog/vwa-design-club-2026/

Photo via Unsplash https://www.instagram.com/helloimnik__

08/10/2026

A reminder about our next meeting: SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER at the VWA workshop.

We're excited about this full day demonstration from

HNT Gordon has been crafting premium woodworking hand planes and bench vices in Australia since 1995. Designed for serious use, their tools combine precision, reliability and a pleasure in use that lasts for decades.

Join us at the VWA workshop and meet Terry and Heath who will take you through the session.

Meeting Details:
Date: Sunday 11th October
Time: 10-2pm
Location: VWA Wood Design Centre, 5 Tyrone Street, North Melbourne.
Please RSVP by registering via our Link below:
https://events.humanitix.com/vwa-october-members-meeting-hnt-gordon

HNT have also kindly offered 20% off available stock and 10% off + free shipping for orders placed on the day.

06/10/2026

Hear the latest updates from our Artist in Residence Freddy .xyz

"After the success and feedback I got from the MDW, I was looking for something to step up my body of work Grainchromie. So I have started my journey in power carving to expand the Grainchromie universe.

Jumping from flat surfaces and compound angle cuts on end grain panels, to more organic/curved shapes where the challenge is not in the carving and preparation of surfaces but in applying the colours. I need to rest my wrist and forearm levelled with the face being coloured to keep the pulse steady (I guess I cannot be a surgeon) and keep the colour within the rings on the Oregon end grain.

In this defining point of my work I use a mix of hardwoods and Oregon where the denser timber gets carved as part of the pieces but they are the base/back for the Oregon bits that contain the colours.

Now feels like I got myself to a realm of endless possibilities that eventually will take me to the Mitsubishi Factory in Japan where the Posca pens are fabricated, I mean one have to dream big hey!"

Follow Freddy .xyz and to read all Artists' updates, follow the link below: https://vwa.org.au/blog/vwa-artists-in-residence-update-september-2026/

02/10/2026

Applications are NOW OPEN! Our annual Vic Wood Scholarship is back for its fourth year, honouring Vic Wood, a founding member and inaugural President of the Victorian Woodworkers Association.

The scholarship aims to promote excellence in woodwork and foster inclusive, supportive woodworking networks.

Each year, one VWA member is awarded funding to undertake a woodworking course or educational opportunity that:
- Supports an emerging fine woodworker
- Furthers woodworking skills and knowledge
- Encourages the sharing and development of skills within the broader woodworking community

This year's Scholarship is valued at $2800. This is $800 more than previous years thanks to a generous donation by the Eversley Group . The Eversley group raised this donation by making chairs designed by the late Fred Ward, and auctioning them off as part of an exhibition at Melbourne Design Week 2026.

The scholarship is open to VWA members across Australia, with one successful applicant selected each year. Not a member? Our memberships start from $30/year.

Applications open Friday 2 October and will close on Sunday 8th November.
Check our link below for more info and how to apply.
https://vwa.org.au/vic-wood-scholarship/

More info on the Eversley Group:
https://www.instagram.com/ https://designweek.melbourne/event/fred-ward-design-luminary/

Mark the dates in your calendar, save the post and share this with a woodworker who might benefit from the opportunity!

29/09/2026

Artists in Residence update, this time from Emily McRae
Some MDW Highlight: What I really enjoyed was the opportunity to open up the workshop, welcome my friends to the space and introduce them to my woodworking community.

Following MDW, I shifted back to a project that I began working on earlier in the year. I am making a tool chest (using plans from Fine Woodworking) with a focus on traditional draw making which is something that I have never done before.
I am enjoying working with hand tools and am quickly gaining an appreciation of the time and precision required to execute the drawers. While I don’t think handmade drawers are a great business move or money maker, I’m hoping that this exercise will develop skills that will make me a better craftsmen. Currently half the drawers have been made and I hope by the end of the year the cabinet will be complete!

Follow Emily and read all artists' updates on our blog, follow the link below:
https://vwa.org.au/blog/vwa-artists-in-residence-update-september-2026/

24/09/2026

Our next member’s meeting is on: SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER at the VWA workshop.
This is a full day demonstration from Woodworking Tools

HNT Gordon has been crafting premium woodworking hand planes and bench vices in Australia since 1995. Designed for serious use, their tools combine precision, reliability and a pleasure in use that lasts for decades.

Join us at the VWA workshop and meet Terry and Heath who will take you through the session.

HNT have also kindly offered 20% off available stock and 10% off + free shipping for orders placed on the day.

Meeting Details:
Date: Sunday 11th October
Time: 10-2pm
Location: VWA Wood Design Centre, 5 Tyrone Street, North Melbourne.

10-12pm HNT plane joinery demonstration, with a focus on the following examples:
Smoothing / Jointing / Tenons for raised panel doors / Beading / Mouldings / Sliding dovetails

30min lunch break

12:30pm to 2:00pm
Q&A session and hands-on access to the tools.

Snacks and soft drinks will be provided. BYO Lunch (kitchenette available)

This is a free event. Please register via our link in bio. Thank you and we look forward to seeing then!

Address

5 Tyrone Street
North Melbourne, VIC
3051

Website

http://www.vwa.org.au/

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