The Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association (CVWA) serves to bring together woodworkers based in and around the Lower Clarence Valley region of New South Wales.
The Association’s member’s interests cover a wide range of woodworking related activities. We have furniture makers, wood turners, toy makers, box makers, marquetry artists, timber millers, wood carvers and sculptors. The member’s skills range from novice to highly skilled. We have members whose work has been published in overseas and Australian woodworking magazines, and we have members taking their first steps on the woodworking journey.
The CVWA (formerly Northern Rivers Woodworkers) was formed in the early 1980s. The Association is still expanding, with a current membership of over 75 men and women.
The Association’s objectives are:
- To promote excellence in woodwork by teaching and encouraging members and students;
- To assist members in displaying and marketing their woodcraft where necessary;
- To share information among group members and other interested bodies in the form of meetings, demonstrations, exhibitions and workshops;
- To support and assist members and other interested persons in their pursuit of excellence in woodcraft;
- To encourage all aspects of good design and workmanship in order to achieve a quality finished article.
The Association has a range of regular activities, including:
- A well equipped member’s shed for the use of members, and where members can share their skills and knowledge;
- Regular timber milling days to provide timber for members at a discounted rate. Several of our members have portable timber mills for slabbing or milling sawn boards. We have a substantial amount of timber racked and drying for members to purchase.
- A major display and exhibition as part of Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival. Members submit their work for judging for club awards, as well as a display of work for sale. Last year, members had approximately 2000 items for display and sale. The exhibition attracts thousands of locals and tourists. The exhibition also includes a display of work by students from local schools.
- In addition to the Jacaranda display, members attend other displays and sales under the CVWA banner, supporting events such as the Glenreagh Timber Festival. Individual members exhibit at craft markets and galleries.
- Regular Association meetings, usually at member’s sheds and workshops. As well as dealing with the business of the day, the meetings incorporate a ‘Show and Tell’ session, where members show recent projects and describe the processes, problems and solutions involved.
- Workshop classes where members share their skills. Classes include tool sharpening, toy making, box making, furniture making, bowl turning, making a band-sawn box and more.
- Social events, including regular ‘coffee mornings’ where groups gather for a coffee and chat, and an annual Christmas party.
- Raffles of woodwork made by members have resulted in several thousands of dollars being donated to community appeals.
- Assistance to local schools, including providing timber at a discount rate and sponsoring the Schools Competition at the Jacaranda Festival.
New members are welcome! Membership is $30 per annum. If you would like to join the Clarence Valley Woodworkers, please get in touch with us via the Contact page here or download a membership application form below.
Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association Office Bearers 2019-2020
| President | Roy Ellery 0490196306 |
| Vice President | Jim Morrison |
| Secretary and Publicity Officer | Steve Dodd cvwassoc@gmail.com 0498693044 |
| Treasurer | Bob Northam |
| Purchasing Officer | Terry Hulm |
| Librarian | Richard Nichols |
| Workshop Convener | Bob Aitken |
| Work Health and Safety Officer | Colin Lang |
Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association 