Wootha Prize commemorative award named in honour of William Bayliss

A sense of loss from the untimely death of William Bayliss in 2024 continues to be felt by not only those closest to him but also the wider community. A recent initiative from Barung Landcare’s Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize event has now been established to carry his spirit forward.

Wootha Prize organiser Corrie Wright commented: ‘The woodworking community lost someone truly extraordinary in November 2024. William Bayliss, a young man of talent, humility, and generosity, left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.’

Amongst other awards and accolades, William Bayliss was Overall Winner for the Wootha Prize in 2019. As an ongoing remembrance, from 2026 the Overall Winner of the Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize will be known as The William Bayliss Commemorative Prize. This award honours William’s life and work and recognises excellence in woodworking and is funded through community support – learn more here. More information about this year’s Wootha Prize is here.