Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP

Local artists featured in the Australian Wood Design Exhibition at the Orbost Exhibition Centre 26 March - June 19

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the Australian Wood Design Exhibition which is at the Orbost Exhibition Centre until June 19.

By news@gippsland - 29th March 2022 - Back to News

The Orbost Exhibition Centre retains an emphasis on sustainability and woodwork. Since 1997 the OEC has showcased the work of some of the finest woodworkers nationally and has acquired a collection of acquisitions pieces from each show to make up the permanent collection on display at the OEC. The Australian Wood Design collection made up of acquisitions from this exhibition over many years it has been held, is a magnificent collection and the only one of its kind in Australia.

Mr Chester is pictured with award-winning Lakes Entrance wood-worker Lucas Helmers whose creative piece featured red gum and gum nuts

Exhibition winners

This exciting exhibition showcases the work of local and national woodworkers. Both The Honourable Darren Chester MP and Mayor Cr Mark Reeves spoke at the opening and Gunnai Monero Elder Susan Martin, gave the Welcome to Country. Judging was by Crystal Stubbs, East Gippsland Art Gallery Director and Stephen Hughes, internationally known woodworker and teacher from Melbourne. Winners were:

Trevor Herbstreit, for best in show
Lucas Helmers for best amateur
Catherine Van Wilgenberg, for East Gippsland Timber and Talent

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle prize was given to Gavin Roberts and the acquisition prize was shared by Trevor Herbstreit and Tom Russell. Trevor Herbstreit's intricate piece took two years to make and features red gum reclaimed from a 100 year old home when it was demolished.

Important dates

Mark your calendars on these significant dates:

Exhibition opening and winners announced 5pm Saturday 26th March 2022
Exhibition close: Sunday 19th June 2022
Collection of unsold works: 30th June 2022
Normal hours Thursday-Saturday 11am-3pm

The Australian Wood Design Exhibition's purpose is to promote a sustainable timber industry and the exhibition only accepts entries with 75% Australian timbers that do not include any rare or endangered timber species, with the exception of the Reuse, Recycle prize category.