WELCOME TO THE BACKSTREETS
WOOD DUST backstreets being held in Melbourne
October 6 to 10, 2025
WOOD DUST backstreets is a hardcore woodworking event for both the enthusiast and professional woodworker being held at the Coburg Studios in the backstreets of Melbourne.
This WOOD DUST event offers a full program including WOODWORKING WORKSHOPS featuring inspirational makers and educators from around the world. A special WELCOME DINNER where you can meet, chat and sit down for dinner with our visiting guests. And a YARN of course where you can hear all our guest's backstories and ask your burning questions.​
WOODWORKING WORKSHOPS
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WOOD DUST backstreets 2025 offers a full program of Woodworking Workshops led by some of the worlds leading craftspeople including Michael Fortune, Matthew Kenney and Christopher Schwarz. Take the opportunity to forget the world for a while and hang out with other woodworkers learning directly from these masters of the craft.​​
Design your dream chair with Michael Fortune...
We all have at least one good design inside of us. Yet many factors can intervene to deny us from ever making that certain piece happen. Limited design experience, not knowing where to start or a lack of confidence can all play a part. Forget all that and check out this Five Day Chair Design Masterclass led by international craftsman Michael Fortune.
During this comprehensive chair design masterclass held at the Coburg Studios in Melbourne, you will conceptualise, design and build a prototype chair guided by Michael assisted by Melbourne furniture maker Patrick Holcombe. Michael will be employing his Endo / Exo Skeleton approach to the design process, guaranteed to deliver you a resolved design outcome and physical prototype. If you want to build strong design development skills and create a resolved chair design, this woodworking masterclass is for you.
Included in your masterclass ticket is access to the "Welcome Dinner" and the "YARN" featuring Christopher Schwarz. Book your ticket today and join us for this extraordinary woodworking experience.
Master the art of Kumiko with Matthew Kenney...
By now you are probably familiar with Kumiko. But if you have been living under a woodworking rock... Kumiko is the delicate technique of assembling wooden frames using only fine joinery and hand tools. Kumiko has become increasingly popular in Western woodworking as craftspeople build these beautiful wooden panels as decorative art or to adorn cabinetry. Yet much of Kumiko's appeal rests on its quiet and methodical nature, it's a sensitive craft one can loose themselves in without any reliance on masses of equipment, machinery or extensive workshop space. Kumiko really is the craft for the maker seeking simplicity and a little headspace.
​​​​In this Three Day Kumiko Workshop, you will learn and practice the art of Kumiko guided by craftsman Matthew Kenney. This workshop is suitable for both new and the more experienced Kumiko maker. This workshop differs from previous workshops Matt has run in Australia as he will be teaching participants a Diamond and Rhombus pattern, with the goal of fitting one of these panels into a decorative frame. Included in your masterclass ticket is access to the "YARN" featuring Christopher Schwarz. Book your ticket today and join us to build solid hand tool skills and along the way find a little peace. ​​
Colour up your box making with Matthew Kenney...
Box making. Like it or not, mastering box making is a fundamental step along the pathway to becoming a good craftsperson, particularly if you want to build square drawers, rigid cabinets, durable chests or anything else that orbits the elemental form of a box. Technique aside, a lot of box making tends to be caught in the vortex of tradition, a good ole brown box made with good ole brown wood. Would it be asking too much to experiment a little?
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Having written more than one book on the topic, if anyone is going to know about box making then it’s probably going to be Matt Kenney. During this Two Day Box Making Workshop you will design and make a contemporary hand made and mitred lidded box. In this workshop you not only learn the foundational skills of the craft, you also have the opportunity to experiment a little. You can line your box with either veneer, paper or fabric. You can finish it using milk paint and shellac. If you have ever wanted to get into box making and step aside from the trad ole brown box, then this is your chance.
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Included in your workshop ticket is access to the "YARN" featuring Christopher Schwarz. Book your ticket today and join us to build contemporary boxes, and bring a little colour to your woodworking.​​
Last but not least, welcome Christopher Schwarz...
Word on the street is that Christopher Schwarz is coming to Australia to lead Two Five Day Stick Chair Making Workshops assisted by Melbourne chair maker Bern Chandley, one each in Coburg Victoria and Newrybar NSW. However due to over whelming demand, Chris's two workshops have already sold out. You can click the links above to see the details, and email John at hello@wooddustaustralia.com.au to join the waiting list in case of any cancellations.
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If you did miss out, don't fret, there are other ways you can meet and learn from Chris. During WOOD DUST backstreets we have a couple of extra events that you can attend to get up close and personal with all of our special guests including Chris Schwarz. Read on and learn about the WOOD DUST backstreets "Welcome Dinner" being held at the Post Office Hotel in Coburg. And the "YARN" being held at the Vizzini Social Club also in Coburg.
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​​​​WOOD DUST invites you to the WELCOME DINNER - Tuesday October 7 from 6.00pm at the Post Office Hotel Dining Room Sydney Road Coburg. ​And The YARN - Thursday October 9 from 6.00pm at the Vizzini Social Club Sydney Road Coburg. Want to come to both events? Then check out the Dinner & YARN Combo Ticket and save.
In Newrybar NSW, we are also holding The YARN - Thursday October 16 from 6.00pm in the Newrybar Community Hall. Tickets coming soon.​​​​ Read on to see all the details and ticketing information below.
Get Social at WOOD DUST
The Welcome Dinner in Coburg...
A night of food, fun and story telling
The WOOD DUST backstreets YARN...
An always popular event at WOOD DUST is the YARN. This is an intimate evening of storytelling and group discussion Q&A style where you can hear our special guest’s backstory’s and ask all your burning questions. Join us at the Vizzini Social Club for an evening of woodworking conversation and storytelling at the WOOD DUST Yarn.
Hear their backstories, ask your burning questions
Dinner & YARN combo ticket in Coburg...
Double trouble
The WOOD DUST YARN in Newrybar...
Catch the word in Newrybar
Our second YARN featuring Christopher Schwarz and Bern Chandley will be held at the Newrybar Community Hall. This an intimate evening of storytelling and group discussion Q&A style where you can hear our special guest’s backstory’s and ask all your burning questions. Tickets coming soon.
The Venues
Located in the Byron Bay Hinterland
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Newrybar is a historic village located just west of Byron Bay, a ten minutes drive from Ballina in far Northern NSW. The Newrybar Community Hall was built in 1899 and features solid timber floors, views of the valley and great natural light. Harvest cafe and a convenience store are across the street, accommodation options are plentiful. Broken Head beach is just down the road. This is your perfect regional hideaway to get woodworking.
The week after WOOD DUST backstreets Chris Schwarz will lead a 5 Day Stick Chair Woodworking Workshop in the Newrybar Hall. If you are in Brisbane it's only two hours down the highway. If you are in Sydney, it's a direct one hour flight into Ballina.
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About Newrybar NSW
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The Newrybar Community Hall
About Coburg Studios​​​​​
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69 Charles Street, Coburg 3058
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Coburg Studios is an arts and creative hub in the new Merri-bek Creative Precinct offering studios and creative spaces for designers & artists of all disciplines. ​Ground floor of the Coburg Studios is where all the action is with over 1000 square metres of woodworking Nirvana fully equiped to meet the needs of WOOD DUST backstreets.
Coburg Studios offers extensive street parking or is a 15 minute walk along Gaffney Street from Batman Station. Batman is on the Upfield train line direct from the CBD via the northern inner suburbs of Melbourne. Gaffney Street is also serviced by bus. Pentridge Shopping Mall featuring accommodation, bars, restaurants, cinemas and all types of shopping is just down the road.
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Fantail Chair by Michael Fortune
About The Post Office Hotel​​​​​​
229-231 Sydney Rd, Coburg
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The Welcome Dinner is being held at the historic Post Office Hotel Dining Room in Coburg. This venue features a very cool warehouse styled dining area, a well-stocked bar and private garden. The Dining Room is situated on the southern side of the main hotel, to enter go through the doors to the left of the main building.
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The Post Office Hotel is located at 229-231 Sydney Rd, Coburg. On the corner of Sydney Road and Reynard Street. There is generally plenty of parking along Sydney Road or in the surrounding streets. If you are catching public transport, catch the train along the Upfield Line getting off at either Moreland or Coburg Station. You can walk from either of these stations, alternatively catch the Number 19 Tram along Sydney Road.​ For further information contact us at hello@wooddustaustralia.com.au, otherwise, see you at the dinner!
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About the Vizzini Social Club​​​​​​
322 Sydney Rd, Coburg
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The Vizzini social club is a stylish, multipurpose club that caters for members of Melbourne's Italian community as well as catering for a wide variety of functions. The main room is equipped with comfortable seating, stage, kitchen and bar.
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The Vizzini Social Club is at 322 Sydney Rd, Coburg. On the corner of Sydney Road and Sheffield Street. There is generally plenty of parking along Sydney Road or in the surrounding streets. If you are catching public transport, catch the train along the Upfield Line getting off at either Moreland or Coburg Station. You can walk from either of these stations, alternatively catch the Number 19 Tram along Sydney Road. For further information contact us at hello@wooddustaustralia.com.au, otherwise, see you at the Yarn!
The backstreets?
​Where it all happens
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If you have ever been an inner city woodworker then you will know the backstreets. Those lines of old factories. Shared work spaces. Graffiti. Taking inspiration from what you find and see. Making it work. The backstreets are where it all happens.​
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See you in the backstreets at WOOD DUST 2025.
Seven Stick Chair by Christopher Schwarz