The inaugural woodworking competition and exhibition, held as part of the Eden Whale Festival, saw a steady stream of people seek out the talents of the region's best craftspeople. 

Exhibition organiser, Jeff Donne said interest in the competition was fuelled by the wide variety of talent on show, which featured everything from a tiny jarrah burl ring box inlaid with ebony, to some beautifully carved and detailed wall hangings. 

"Following last year’s inaugural exhibition, I was hoping for a repeat of some beautiful works entered by local wood artists, and sure enough, they delivered,” he said.

"We had a beautiful recreation of a classic Evan Dunstone chair, a hall table inspired by the simplistic elegance of Shaker furniture, a stunning sculpture of an egret by last year’s winner Paul Buckland, and a lovely bedside table crafted by a Cann River student.”

Mr Donne said local students submitted several entries for the competition.

He said the quality of work coming out of school is “just incredible”, and that a number of people commented on the talent on display in the under 18s category.

"In the end though, the standout in the $1000 NSW Forestry Corporation’s open category went to Richard Ashton’s wooden veneered surfboard,” Mr Donne said.

“Its quality of build, detail as seen in the use of inlaid jarrah, and the perfect balance of function and beauty made it the perfect piece for this year’s competition.”

The winner of the $750 NSW Forestry Corporation’s 'unplugged' category sparked much conversation among visitors to the exhibition.

“Named ‘My Word’ for obvious reasons to those who saw it, Frank Swinfield’s table hand carved from a solid tree stump using only a hammer and chisel was nothing short of incredible,” Mr Donne said.

"And finally, the standout in an already excellent line up of entries from people aged under 18, was a perfectly designed and made glass topped table by Lumen Christi Year 10 student, Bo Van Den Brink.

“Her subtle use of wood, metal and glass, and quality of build was noted by the judges as well as some of the area’s finest wood artists.

“Bo’s hard work paid off and she won the $250 NSW Forestry Corporation prize for wood artists aged under than 18.

"I congratulate all the winners and entrants whose hard work in the shed or workshop helped make the Artists who Wood competition another great success. 

"Huge thanks go to our sponsor, the NSW Forestry Corporation for their generosity and support of local makers and events," Mr Donne said.