Countdown to WoodFest
Above: Local Native Growers looking forward to Woodfest.
Woodfest is a family-friendly celebration of all things local sustainable timber and the party starts on Sunday 15 April at Federal Hall near Byron Bay, NSW from 10am – 3pm.
The festival features the much anticipated exhibition of local sustainable timber pieces and designs from the Woodfest Design Competition. The judges of the Competition are excited about the works of art carved from wood, ranging from love seats to a surfboard and wedding rings.
Tony Kenway, a local fine furniture maker, says “We are so impressed with every design; visitors to Woodfest can expect to see the most innovative use of local native timbers in the region on display!”
The showcase will feature furniture, timber slabs and musical instruments, all carefully crafted out of local timber such as silver quandong, Queensland maple and silky oak, by renowned woodworkers of the likes of Alby Johnson and Grant Vaughan.
“We are envisioning a loop from local tree farmers to woodworkers where beautiful timber from our farms in the Byron Shire are transformed into stunning furniture, panelling and interior decoration,” said Kate Love of Quality Timber Traders. “Our philosophy ‘from seed to tree to product’ underpins our strong leaning towards ecological values and our commitment to restoring the Byron landscape.”
A highlight of the Expo is the opportunity to meet and talk to local tree farmers, woodworkers and architects who will be speaking on the ‘makers’ and ‘growers’ panels. “You will be inspired by all of the innovative uses of these extraordinary timbers sustainably grown on local farms,” said Sandi Middleton, Woodfest Event Co-ordinator.
All visitors can win lucky door prizes including a $100 Firewheel Rainforest Nursery voucher, Native Timber Pack from local farmer Dr Joe Harvey-Jones, and ‘Heartwood: The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit’, a book by farm forestry scientist Rowan Reid.
Entry is free, with a gourmet BBQ cooked up by the Bangalow Men’s Shed, and toe-tapping tunes by local musician Luke Bennett.
There will also be a farm tour on offer to view first hand how the timber is grown and harvested, including a milling demonstration and interactive talks with timber experts and researchers from Southern Cross University. Come and celebrate the beauty, affordability and sustainability of farm grown native timbers. It’s all happening from 10-3pm at the Woodfest at Federal Hall.
Visit www.qualitytimbertraders.com for more information.
Woodfest Schedule
10am - Arrival and Registration
10.15am - Intro to Quality Timber Traders
10.30am - "Meet the Makers" Panel
11.15am - Morning Tea
11.45am - "Meet the Growers" Panel
12.30pm - BBQ Lunch, Live Music and Timber Showcase
2pm - Competition Award Ceremony
2.30pm - Farm Tour
Woodfest: Sustainable Native Timber Showcase and Design Competition is presented by Quality Timber Traders who are a cooperative of tree farmers from Northern NSW and SE Queensland with support from the Farming Together Pilot Program and Southern Cross University.