Sturt: another step forward

Since the ‘pause’, those of us in the world outside of Sturt School for Wood have wondered how such a much loved and outwardly successful vehicle for learning the skills of fine woodworking could falter. With a recent announcement there is hope.

Named after its English-born founder, Winnifred West founded the girls’ boarding school she named Frensham in 1913. After her retirement, West established ‘Sturt’ which developed into the craft studios and gallery we have come to know. Sturt School for Wood was established in 1985 and has contributed significantly to the training of a legion of well known Australian woodworkers.

In February 2024, Sturt's future was put on hold. An independent, sustainable financial and operational model would be sought. Since then, we’ve had announcements from the Winnifred West board regarding the establishment of review committees and board executives. Submissions have been made along with ensuing reports. Strategies and frameworks for developing legal structures and financial arrangements have been on the table. It’s been a lengthy process which is not over yet, however it appears there is progress.

On 1 December, an announcement came that Sturt Gallery & Studios Limited has been officially established as a company limited by guarantee, marking a major step forward ‘in securing the future of Sturt and its legacy as a centre of excellence in Australian contemporary craft and design’.

We're told that next year in February an interim group of directors will elect a board of three company directors who will work to create an ongoing vision and business plan. Staff will be appointed and moves will be made towards Sturt gaining accreditation as an RTO (registered training organisation) in its own right.

While the year-long full-time Certificate IV furniture design and manufacturing course continued in 2024 and 2025, short courses in woodwork and the gallery itself did not. It’s almost two years since Sturt was put on pause, however the establishment of Sturt Gallery & Studios as a separate entity from Winifred West Ltd is a step which lays the way for Sturt to achieve independence as a non-profit organisation.

While insufficient enrolments were received to allow the 2026 full-time course to take place, enrolments for 2027 will accepted. For now, this is a space we’ll just have to keep watching.