Bruce Gilchrist began his woodworking journey over 62 years ago in Victoria, Australia. Starting an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, Bruce developed his passion for working with wood which has led to a life-long journey.
Inspired by the late Neil Scobie, Bruce joined his local woodworking club – Mid North Coast Woodworking over 10 years ago to learn more skills in working with timber. Now a retired artisan based in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, he is now highly skilled at making jewellery boxes and furniture which he now displays in a number of galleries all over Australia and at the Maleny Wood Expo.
“I encourage anyone thinking about or interested in woodworking to join their local woodworking group, there are hundreds of them all over Australia” explains Bruce.
“I learnt so much from the members of my local group who all have a range of skills. I now run my own sessions as a volunteer with people who are interested in making small boxes and furniture.
“Woodworking is something all generations can get involved in, my first workshop was with a group of young women in their 20s and I now teach all the way up to elderly and retired folk. It doesn’t matter what age you are!”
Bruce works with sustainably harvested native and invasive timber species and salvaged or upcycled timber, with Camphor laurel (an introduced and invasive species in Australia) being one of his favourite timbers to work with.
In 2019 Bruce joined the Maleny Wood Expo community and exhibited for the first time to showcase his work to the broader community.
“The Wood Expo was fabulous, we had a wonderful time meeting other exhibitors and being inspired by other people’s work.
“It was such a great opportunity to meet the public and share information about my work, woodworking in general and listen to what people were interested in.
“Camping at the showground was also fantastic as we got to make many new friends and we really look forward to coming back in 2023.”
Where can you find Bruce’s work?
Bruce supplies his work to a number of Galleries around Australia including:
With Bruce’s passion for woodworking he is up for almost any woodworking project and can create bespoke pieces for interested clients.
Bruce does a lot of custom orders and can send anywhere in Australia.
You can get in touch with Bruce here:
Email: plumloco070@gmail.com
Phone: 0427534041
You can follow Bruce on Instagram at @brucegilchristfinewoodwork
