Frederick O’Connell Scholarship applications open

FREDERICK Richard

O’Connell was Executive Director of the Timber Merchants’ Association (Vic) in the 1950’s. He was passionate about the timber industry and education and in his will, he left a sum of money to be used for scholarships for the children of TMA members or children of their employees.

The intention of the scholarship was to promote industrial harmony in Australia and to improve relationships between employers and employees within the timber industry.

To date, the Frederick O’Connell scholarship programme has awarded over

1.5m to worthy recipients. The scholarship lessens the burden on students and may mean they don’t have to work as many hours at a part time job, they could put the funds towards accommodation costs or pay for textbooks.

The Frederick O’Connell Scholarship Committee was impressed with this year’s strong candidate pool. Our recipients have recently been notified and they represented Dahlsens, Drouin West Timber and Truss, Davids Timber, Bayswood Timber, Lamcal Builders Supplies and Bendigo Truss Plant.

This scholarship is unique and with preference given to candidates who are children of either employees or directors/proprietors of companies who are members of the MGA TMA, it pays to be a member.

If you would like to learn more about the Frederick O’Connell scholarship and other benefits of MGA TMA membership, please contact us on (03) 9824 4111 to discuss.

TIMBER PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE COURSE

MGA TMA in association with Timber Training Creswick (RTOid #4168), have been offering members and industry friends, a timber product knowledge course for a number of years.

The 2-day course is designed for timber and wood product salespeople who need to provide comprehensive advice to customers on the correct timber to use for their applications.

On successful completion of the course, participants receive a Statement of Attainment in FWPCOT3302 Access and Provide Timber and Wood Product Information.

Details are as follows:

22 & 23 August 2023 9am – 4:30pm (approx.) Day 1: Suite 5/1 Milton Parade, Malvern Victoria 3144 Day 2: A full day field trip (details provided closer to the date) Register via https://www. trybooking.com/CJLMP

Our 2022 courses were sold out. Register without delay to avoid missing out.

ONE of the most extensive uses of native Australian timber in an interior fitout, combining solid timber with timber veneer, is Tokonoma Lounge Bar in Sydney by architect Matt Darwon.

The design aimed to provide a contemporary feel with a Japanese-inspired interior, and its organic shapes and flowing curves were a defining feature of the interior.

The species used throughout was spotted gum, comprised of over 5 tonnes of solid timber and 250m2 of veneer. Fabricating the curved surfaces was quite a challenge according to the design architect.

For the 28m long bar timber planks were cut into 5mm thick ‘veneer’ leaves which were then sanded and pressed together in a curve with a radius of 2800mm..

Three of these shapes were then edge glued together to form a quarter circle, taking into account springback and tension-altering effects.

The laminations of 5mm spotted gum gave the appearance of solid timber to the curved ends of the bar top, but achieving the required curve would have been extremely difficult with one piece of solid timber. The result was a furniture item with the strength and aesthetic qualities of solid timber that was, in fact, timber veneer.