The popular Illawarra Festival of Wood has turned into Woodfest Workshops & Markets. It's back at Bulli Showground on October 19 and 20, thanks to longtime Coledale locals Suzanne and Stuart Montague.

"We have lived in the Illawarra since 1987, raised our family here, with our children attending local public schools," Suzanne told the Flame.

"My background is in visual arts teaching and Stuart is a third-generation woodworker. Since 2005 we have operated The Illawarra Woodwork School, where people can attend classes and workshops to learn about all different types of woodworking."

The couple launched the first Illawarra Festival of Wood at Bulli Showground in 2017. It was a huge success, attracting thousands of people eager to enjoy everything from whittling spoons to building wooden drums.

"The festival from 2017 to 2019 grew at a rapid pace in size and reputation," Suzanne says, "but alas lockdown came. The festival came back in 2023 on a smaller scale with a bigger emphasis on workshops. 2024 sees a name change to Woodfest Workshops & Markets."

There will be 19 workshops on offer at the 2024 event.

"These workshops cover children's boomerang- and spear-making with Nura Gunyu, wooden bucket-making, pyrography, Japanese woodworking, spoon-carving and wood-turning," Suzanne says.

"These workshops are for all abilities and ages, and enables people to learn centuries-old skills. We always try to use local food trucks and musicians as well local timber sellers."

Over the years, the Montagues' business has brought a host of talented woodworkers to the Illawarra, for workshops at their school in Woonona and at Clifton School of Arts. Last year, Griffith-based wood sculptor Hape Kiddle and Launceston woodcarver Carol Russell were among the renowned teachers who passed on their skills to local makers.

This year the festival line-up includes well-known local artists, such as Tegan Georgette, who'll be teaching people how to create mandalas. Pet lovers will have a chance to learn how to sculpt a small sitting dog in Huon Pine with Carol Russell. And the team at the Illawarra Woodwork School will instruct on coopering a wooden bucket.

Thanks to her husband – a fine furniture maker who worked in the family business before taking over from the Robert Chapman at the Woonona school – Suzanne says the Coledale family home is full of wooden treasures.

"Stuart has worked with wood since he was 15 and still marvels at its individual beauty, and my fondness for timber came from the love of trees," Suzanne says.

"We have been able to incorporate our appreciation of wood into our home, with a table made by a friend, Stuart has made our windows and our kitchen door handles handcrafted by Stuart and Ed, our employee.

"We have some beautiful wooden cooking utensils, bowls and a dining room table that Stuart and other friends have made.

"Each piece has a story and friendship behind it."

Woodfest is on October 19 and 20, for a full program, visit the website.