MELBOURNE WOODWORKING COURSES - Key Persons
With 20 years experience in the Building and Construction Industry and having completed his Certificate IV in Building & Construction, Andrew has a vast range of carpentry skills and knowledge from his years as a qualified Carpenter and Site Manager. With a passion for teaching and training apprentices, Andrew will be able to instil confidence in students to safely tackle home DIY tasks.
Andrew graduated in 1986 from RMIT with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) in Landscape Architecture and practiced landscaping architecture in Melbourne, London & Kuching, Malaysia until 1996.
In 1994 he completed "Designing in Wood" at the Coles School of Woodcraft and established a furniture design and production business specialising in both interior and outdoor furniture. Andrew continues to produce one-off and limited production run pieces and commissioned designs for domestic, commercial and government clients.
Andrew has been teaching furniture design and making since 1998. He taught at Coles School of Woodcraft for 6 years, at the Melbourne School of Fine Woodworking from 2002-2022 and is now teaching at Melbourne Woodworking Courses.
Ben is one of Australia's most experienced restorer/conservator of quality furniture. He has over 30 years' experience in restoration/conservation of furniture and artworks for museums and private collections in England and Australia, and in tutoring on these topics.
Before coming to Australia, Ben's work included restoring and conserving furniture and artworks in Charles II's birth place [St James's Palace] in London, the private collections of Queen Victoria's and Queen Elizabeth II and the UK Ministry of Defence historic art collection.
Since moving to Australia, his clients include the Governor General of Victoria , Beleura House, the Johnston Collection at Fairhall House and the National Geographical Society of Victoria. He is a consultant/adviser on restoration and conservation to Melbourne University, Ormond College and the National Trust and has served as a member of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material and the Museum Accreditation Board.
Ben is committed to passing on his knowledge, skills and craft to people with all levels of ability and interests at Melbourne Woodworking Courses. He brings to this task passion, humour and patience. Ben previously taught furniture restoration at Coles School of Woodcraft and other venues.
Bruce's journey in the furniture industry began over 30 years ago when he studied to be a teacher at The University of Melbourne, majoring in furniture design. Primarily using timber, he quickly developed a lasting respect for the provenance, beauty and intrinsic properties of the material. Since then Bruce has been making fine furniture, teaching furniture making and working in the specialist timber industry.
In the late 1990's he set up a small business designing and making bespoke furniture, founding a co-operative arts studio in Brunswick for workspace. Bruce taught at Coles School of Woodcraft for 5 years and from 2002-2022 at Melbourne School of Fine Woodworking. He has lectured in education at The University of Melbourne and also currently teaches part time in furniture design at RMIT.
A love of Australian timbers and the thrill of watching novice woodworkers gain skills and be proud of their finished work is at the core of Bruce's tutoring at Melbourne Woodworking Courses.
Carl is a master craftsman, with a career spanning fifty years in commercial and bespoke furniture design and production, building construction, hand carving and restoration. He has inaugurated and judged prestigious woodworking and carving competitions in Victoria and has been a demonstrator of fine wood working techniques at annual ‘Working with Wood' shows.
Carl is a highly experienced tutor. He has taught: furniture making and design at Outer Eastern Tafe; router and woodwork techniques for Carbatec; antique furniture restoration and French-polishing; furniture making and specialist project-based workshops at Melbourne School of Fine Woodworking; and fine woodworking for the Victorian Woodworker's Association.
Carl brings to students of Melbourne Woodworking Courses his deep knowledge and capabilities in all aspects of fine furniture design and making and woodworking/restoration. He tailors his approach to the needs of his students, from a basic understanding of the characteristics of different timbers and design considerations, through to the safe and effective use of power and hand tools, wood turning and detailed project execution. Carl's passion for his craft, patience and gentle sense of humour make for a productive and enjoyable learning experience.
Chris grew up in country Victoria and after finishing school he moved to Melbourne to complete his cabinet making/furniture making apprenticeship. He has been working and gaining experience in various furniture making businesses across Melbourne ever since, as well as completing a wide range of private commission work, from custom shop fit outs to smaller intricate furniture pieces.
An exciting opportunity unfolded when Chris received an invitation to spend two years studying fine furniture making under the guidance of a renowned Japanese Master. This experience has allowed him to immerse himself in and master the intricacies of hand tools and refine his techniques, adding a unique blend of Japanese and Western style craftsmanship to his repertoire.
Chris currently works for the reputable furniture company Tide Design in Melbourne and makes handmade wooden puzzle boxes in his home studio during his spare time.
Chris is excited about sharing his knowledge and helping others bring their ideas to life, reflecting a commitment to fostering creativity within the woodworking community.
Leslie's journey in metal work and engineering led him to join Victoria College of the Arts, Prahran Campus (later Swinburne University) in 1987, where he assumed the role of Design Workshop Manager. In this capacity, he imparted his expertise to students in industrial design, sculpture, and general art, guiding them in model making, welding, fabricating techniques, and the safe utilisation of woodworking machinery. Over the course of nine years as workshop manager, Leslie cultivated his passion and honed his skills in furniture making and sculptural works.
In 1995, Leslie founded Design Form, a business that flourished and expanded over the next 28 years, specializing in bespoke furniture, cabinetmaking, and joinery. The scope of projects undertaken during this period was extensive, encompassing the creation of French Provincial and Art Deco fine furniture, sculptural pieces commissioned by clients, as well as shop fitting that incorporated various multi-media materials.
His skill is evident in the remarkably diverse array of projects he has either personally designed or collaborated on throughout the years, spanning furniture, sculpture, and intricate joinery endeavours.
Leslie is looking forward to exploring design ideas with his students and sharing the joy of creating individual pieces using a variety of techniques and materials.
As a member of the ancient French guild, Les Compagnons du Devoir, Remy undertook his 10-year apprenticeship as he journeyed across France, Switzerland and Germany. Since arriving in Australia, Remy has continued to cultivate his contemporary, organic and enduring style, inspired by the place he now calls home-the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. He creates his own designs as well as client commissions.
Remy was a finalist in the Australian Wood Review - Maker of the Year in both 2020 and 2021.
Richard Lloyd's journey from a collector and enthusiast of mid-century furniture to a professional restorer showcases his passion for preserving and revitalizing these iconic pieces. Based in Northcote, Melbourne, Richard's commitment to eco-friendly restoration sets him apart in the industry.
With a focus on eliminating harmful chemicals from traditional restoration processes, Richard's workshop offers exclusive eco-friendly refinishing services. His dedication to sustainability not only benefits the environment but also ensures a safer and healthier approach to furniture restoration.
Collaborating with various partners in the mid-century industry, Richard aims to combine expertise and resources to achieve the best results for each project. His desire to make tired pieces functional and attractive again reflects his understanding of the historical and aesthetic significance of mid-century furniture.
What truly distinguishes Richard is his personalized approach and meticulous attention to detail. Every project receives his expert care, ensuring that each piece is restored to its former glory. With a focus on high-quality materials and finishes, Richard guarantees that restored furniture looks and feels as it did when it was first made.
In 1996 Rob completed "Designing in Wood" at the Coles School of Woodcraft. Since 1998 his workshop has been located in Box Hill where he has been making bespoke furniture and teaching woodworking courses.
Rob was the Operations Manager at the Melbourne School of Fine Woodworking for 15 years finishing up in 2022. He was also a Tutor Group Tutor and taught the very popular Woodwork for Beginners (4 day) Make your Own Occasional/Side Table short course for many years.
With his wife, Kym, they have since commenced their own woodworking course business, Melbourne Woodworking Courses.
Rob enjoys imparting his knowledge in a friendly and supportive manner. He really enjoys teaching woodworking skills and seeing the happy faces of students once they have completed their projects. He receives rave reviews after every course.