10 years on: Remembering Neil Scobie

Remembering Neil Scobie 1953–2016
Words: Renato Spagnolo

The 3rd of May 2026 will be the 10th anniversary of the passing of a great man, Neil Scobie. A quietly spoken Aussie Bloke who always led from the front and his energy and enthusiasm were infectious.

Neil was loved by all who came in contact with him and he took timeout for anyone and everyone. There are not enough pages in Australian Wood Review to list and talk about Neil’s achievements and what his legacy continues to be.

For those that perhaps only knew Neil by way of his woodworking articles in our magazines, please allow me to just take a short walk down memory lane.

Neil Scobie grew up on an Aussie farm, so his work ethic was instilled into him form birth. Neil was an elite sportsman, highest level Australian School Boys Rugby League player…toughness. He later became Captain Coach and Coach of First Grade Rugby League team in the Group 2 competition in his hometown of Coffs Harbour. He surfed most mornings before work, and was a very competitive mountain bike rider, beach volleyball player, white water canoeist and the list goes on. His cooking skills and entertaining for home dinners and end of year reunions was always top notch.

Neil became a high school Industrial Arts Teacher in the early 70s before embarking on his next challenges of being an artist and small business owner, surviving by making and selling utilitarian turned wood products at local markets.

Neil and his wife Liz then went big time , Bucca Creek Woodworks was born in the mid 80s and their busy lives accelerated tenfold. This new norm became mind blowing along with his growing family, Paul and Anna. A large rural setting for a home and huge workshop, all cleared and built by Neil in his ‘spare time’. Commissions, promoting their own styles, day and night-time classes, weekend workshops, national and international demonstrating, life was BUSY!

I have it on good authority that Neil achieved somewhat of a record along with everything else he quietly did and that was to have more than twenty front cover articles in woodworking magazines both here and overseas. If Neil had five minutes to spare, he would always find something that took five minutes to do. He would be writing magazine articles when sitting in airport lounges, watching TV or taking time out from everything else.

Neil inspired a lot of people by way of his endless support and energy. He could bring the best out in anybody. He always pushed everyone outside of their comfort zones to try something different or perform better, he was born to be a leader and a coach.

One of Neil’s greatest legacies is that there are a lot of people today creating wonderful woodwork who had not even held a piece of sandpaper before being introduced to this great man. He has to be congratulated for giving a lot of people a purpose in life, especially in their later years.

I first met Neil at the Timber & Working with Wood shows in Brisbane. He would always be demonstrating products and how to use specialty tools. From there I eventually did a couple of weekend workshops with him in Coffs Harbour. I managed to get a spot in one of his night classes around 2007 and that was it…hooked on the bloke and his company.

Turning and carving got into my blood and I was ever so grateful to have spent the next nine years with Neil before his untimely passing. I am proud to have known him and I am also the proud owner of his VL300 lathe.

Personally, Neil has had an enormous influence on my own works, his influence is everywhere in my designs, feature pieces and even the workshop. So to conclude this never-ending story, I just have to say, …‘we all still miss you mate’…and always will.

Renato Spagnolo is a retired carpenter/builder and a passionate woodworker who makes furniture and sculptural artworks.