Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize
'Wootha'
‘Wootha’ is a local Kabi Kabi / Gubbi Gubbi name for Red Cedar, a beautiful tree that grew in the subtropical rainforests which once dominated Maleny, the Blackall Ranges and much of the East Coast of Australia.
Early European settlers and timber getters who prized the Red Cedar above other species and cleared land for agriculture, were unfortunately responsible for significantly diminishing the distribution of this species. But small remaining remnants of rainforest along with the work of caring community members and Landcare groups such as Barung Landcare, has seen this beautiful timber tree and rainforest species make a comeback to the region and other areas of Eastern Australia.
Today, Red Cedar is grown and harvested in much slower and more sustainable ways.
2025 Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize
Please note that entries are currently closed for the Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize, due to the cancellation of the 2025 Maleny Wood Expo
Read the full statement below
Proudly sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council and hosted by Barung Landcare, the Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize is the feature exhibition at the Maleny Wood Expo.
The competition showcases beautiful and sustainably crafted pieces from wood artisans and furniture makers from all over Australia.
Artist: Guy Breay
The Maiden’s Hair
2024 Prize Winners
Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize $10,000
The overall first prize for the Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize is selected from any of the below three categories, and is awarded a cash prize of $10,000.
This prize is sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council.
Winner
'Monochrome Cabinet' by Rick Hayward
Images by Daniel Mulheran
“In 2022 I began a new series of artworks influenced by Kandinsky’s treatise ‘Point and Line to Plane’ in which he describes the straight line “whose tension represents the most concise form of the potentiality for endless movement”.
These minimal linear works signalled a new and focussed direction for my studio practice exploring the potential of simple linear form. Following on from these new works I attended The Sturt School for Wood in 2023 with the intention of investigating simple forms in the third dimension.
I was thrilled to discover the work of Gerrit Rietveld whose “intentional miss” junctions that extend beyond point zero are understood to be a metaphor for the infinite, aligning perfectly with Kandinsky’s concept of the straight line and resonating with my interest in metaphysics; the study of human nature in a qualitative rather than quantitive context.
Subsequently, ’Monochrome Cabinet’ is an exploration of space and relationship within the bounds of rectilinear form. With a focus on hand-cut joinery including half-blind dovetails and secret mitred dovetails, and a shimmering reeded glass back panel made reflective by hand-applied 22 Carat Gold Leaf, the cabinet has a balanced, gentle presence.”
Furniture
The Furniture category rejoices in all aspects of furniture making, traditional and contemporary, design, artistry and innovation.
This prize is sponsored by Carbatec and Barung Landcare
Winner
'Mundi Mundi Entrance Table'
by William Bayliss
Inspired by the sunrise landscape over the Mundi Mundi plains with the sunlight hitting the caps of the highpoints of the topography. The tactile fluted top draws the hand and the eye to explore. suspended by a light but sturdy curved base lifting the energy of the piece.
Prize $2,500
Sculpture
The Sculpture category will highlight carving to its fullest extent from the delicate to the robust, abstract to representational.
This prize is sponsored by Queensland Water and Landcarers and Barung Landcare
Winner
'Flow'
by Keith Savage
“Flow” elegantly captures the fluidity of a wooden ribbon winding into a bowl, only to be effortlessly released and drawn back into the form, embodying a seamless flow of movement and harmony.
Prize $2,500
Tiny Treasures
The 'Tiny Treasures' celebrates works of smaller dimensions. It acknowledges work small in scale, but big on design and exquisite craftspersonship.
Winner
'King Quail'
by Ted Upton
My love of Australian wildlife goes back many years and these tiny, delicate, beautiful little creatures inspire me.
Prize $2,500
People's Choice $500
The People's Choice is awarded to any entrant in any of the above three categories. Decided over the weekend via attendees voting for their favourite pieces as they view the exhibition. Winners are announced on the final day of the Maleny Wood Expo.
This prize is sponsored by Arbortech
Winner
'Scimitar Skeleton Clocks' by Trevor Herbstreit
The Scimitar Skeleton Clock design is inspired by the scimitar sword with its convex curved shape and pendulum. The weight driven mechanical mechanism is entirely handmade which includes the driving weight, gears, screws, timber components and slimline case.
Evolve Prize $1,000
Setting itself apart from other divisions, Evolve operates as a stand-alone prize category, alleviating the pressure of competing against recognised professionals.
Works submitted under ‘Evolve’ are not in the running for the other Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize categories.
This prize is sponsored by Maleny Art Direct.
Winner
'Our Obi Obi' by Paul Chapman
Inspired to create this piece with the Wootha and Maleny theme in mind. I enjoy watching the platypus in the Obi Obi and the life it sustains as it flows through Maleny. This is my piece of creekwood with platypus swimming, a long-finned eel hiding, a kingfisher hunting the fish.
