A major event each year for the Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association is the Jacaranda woodwork display and competition held in conjunction with the Grafton Jacaranda Festival.
The club started Jacaranda Festival woodwork displays in the late 1980’s and, in these early years, may have had only two or three members displaying work. The event has grown steadily since that time and in recent years around 25 to 30 members have participated in the display with over 2000 items listed for display/sale each year. Most participating members display items and offer them for sale. A few members choose to display only. The display is open for nine days across the end of October and beginning of November.
The Competition and Exhibition section has developed over the years, and serves to encourage members to challenge themselves and to produce high quality woodwork. Entries cover eight woodwork classes including from furniture, turned objects, boxes, and decorative objects. The Competiton is open to woodworkers from the wider community and attracts entries from neighbouring clubs and organisations. There is a Novice section that is open to CVWA members to encourage members to exhibit.
The competition is open to both CVWA members and the public with a small entry fee for non-members. There are typically 50 – 60 entries for the open competition each year. The Open Competition is judged by experienced woodworkers from outside the CVWA and the Clarence Valley.
There is a separate High School Student’s competition section that has expanded markedly in recent years – both in quantity and quality. This section now receives around 120 entries from up to 6 high schools in the Lower Clarence Valley region. School student entries are judged by a panel of experienced club members.
Demonstrations of woodwork activities such as carving, turning, scroll saw work, pyrography and texturing are given by members during the display.
During the display woodwork donated by members is raffled and the proceeds donated to local community appeals (eg. Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service).
The South Grafton Ex-Services Club, Wharf Street, South Grafton has been a supporter, and is home to the display. This is a great venue overlooking the Clarence River with dining and refreshment facilities available. Come and visit us during Jacaranda and see a great display.
NOTE: Entries for the 2026 edition of the Jacaranda competition will be open soon. The competition is open to all woodworkers – members of other woodworking clubs are especially welcome! Download the link below:
Clarence Valley Woodworkers Association 