Woodworking Classes

2026 Beginners Courses

Our Weekly Project Base Courses are geared towards Beginners or anyone interested in a more structure class where everyone works on the same project once a week and where the start and finish dates are set.

Featured

North Bennet Street School - 18th Century Candle Box - Beginners Course

Every Wednesday evening
$990.00 AUD
15th July to 16th September 2026
(10 week course)

Presented by Lee Gratton
North Bennet Street School in Boston is one America’s oldest ‘Artisans’ colleges. It was established in 1881 and runs a total of 7 different programs, one of which is a prestigious 2 Year Furniture Making Course.

Wood Carving Open Class

Every Wednesday evening
$650.00 AUD
22nd April to 24th June 2026
6:30pm - 9:30pm
(10 week course)

Presented by Wanda Gillespie

Join contemporary artist and woodcarver Wanda Gillespie for an immersive evening of carving. These open classes are designed for all levels — whether you’re beginning your first carving project or developing an existing one.

Beginners Course: The Fundamentals of Fine Woodworking - The Shaker Nightstand

Every Tuesday evening
$2200.00 AUD
7th July to 15th December 2026
(22 week course)

Presented by Mike Blood
The ‘Shaker Nightstand’ course represents the perfect course for the beginner.

Natural Edged Bench - Beginners Course

Every Wednesday evening
$1030.00 AUD
14th October to 16th December 2026
(10 week course)

Presented by Lee Gratton
This elegant Natural Edged Bench offers a satisfying taste of chair making with the convenience of it being scheduled every Wednesday evening for a single term (10 week course).

2026 Intensive Courses

Our Intensive Project Based Courses are for those who would like to immerse themselves in a project and have it completed in the shortest possible time. These courses range from a 1 day course to an 8 day course.

Featured

Spanish Chair

$2300 AUD
Thur 13th to Mon 17th August 2026

Presented by Hugh Anderson
The MGFW is introducing the Borge Mogensen ‘Spanish Chair’ to Australia with a 5-day course covering advanced joinery and leatherwork, allowing participants to choose premium timbers and Italian leather colours for a standout, comfortable chair.

Windsor - Continuous Arm Chair

$2440.00 AUD
Mon 5th to Sun 11th October 2026
From 9am to 5pm
(7 day course)

Presented by Jon Grant
This is the Melbourne Guild’s fifth Continuous Arm chair resulting from Peter Galbert’s teaching visit to Australia.

Kumiko Box - Beginner's Course

$790.00 AUD
Fri 19th to Sun 21st June 2026
(3 consecutive day course)

Presented by Alastair Boell
In this 3 consecutive day Beginner’s course, you will make this stunningly elegant hexagonal Kumiko Box made from Walnut and Maple or Celery Top Pine. It is one of the prettiest pieces on offer and certainly packs a punch in terms of woodworking skills learnt in a short period of time.

French Polishing

$430.00 AUD
Sunday 26th July 2026

Presented by Eddy Toffeletti
French Polishing is a traditional finish where you apply thin layers of Shellac onto timber to bring out the subtle beauty held within.

Essential Tools for Woodworkers - Beginner's course

BEGINNERS WELCOME
$890.00 AUD
Fri 3rd to Sun 5th July 2026
(3 day course)

Presented by Alastair Boell
You will learn how to make a mallet, marking gauge, dovetail marker and a double bevel marking knife. These 4 tools represent an essential kit for anyone interested in fine woodworking.

Perch Stool

Thur 9th July to Sat 11th July 2026
$990 AUD

Presented by Jon Grant
This Perch is a great opportunity to introduce you to the world of ‘Windsor’ chair making and the techniques associated with this iconic style.

Shaker Bentwood Box: Sizes 1, 2 & 3

Sunday 19th July 2026
$460 AUD

Presented by Matt Stonehouse
‘Shaker Oval Boxes’ are recognized artifacts of Shaker life and work.

Tool Sharpening and Hand Plane Tuning

Sunday 12th July 2026
From 9:00am to 5:00pm
(1 day course)
$430

Presented by Alastair Boell
This is a very comprehensive one day sharpening course. The importance of this topic is ALWAYS overlooked to the detriment of your furniture making.

Roorkee Chair

Fri 12th to Mon 15th June 2026
$2100 AUD

Presented by Hugh Anderson
The Roorkee Chair belongs to the genre of Campaign Furniture. In the days of empires, there was a need for rugged, sturdy and simple furniture for military campaigns.

The Art of Japanese Kumiko

Sat 9th to Sun 10th May 2026
$860 AUD

Presented by Alastair Boell
Learn this delicate and sophisticated technique of assembling wooden pieces without the use of nails. Thinly slit wooden pieces are grooved, punched and mortised, and then fitted individually using a plane, saw, chisel and other tools to make fine adjustments.

2026 Open Workshop

This is a great opportunity for students of all levels to undertake their own projects under the expert tuition of our qualified instructors. Our Open Courses offer ongoing morning, afternoon & evening woodworking classes for students of any level to undertake a project of their own desire. Classes are limited to 8 students and there are between 9 - 11 classes per term, with 4 Terms per year.

Featured

Open Workshop - Monday

TERM 2 2026
20th April to 29th June 2026 (10 week course)
*Mid-term enrolments accepted*
$950

This is a great opportunity for students of all levels to undertake their own individual projects under the expert tuition of our qualified instructors. These classes are ongoing and offer a great opportunity to join a group of like minded enthusiasts.

Presented by Mike Blood, Alastair Boell and Lionel Seibert