Against The Grain: A Brand New Woodworking Competition for 2025

• Entry is open to amateur, professional, and student woodworkers. For the purposes of this competition, students are considered part of the amateur category.
• The competition is open to participants based in Australia.
• professional is defined as someone who has earned more than $2,000 AUD from woodworking-related activities in a single calendar year.
• Collaborative entries are permitted. All contributors must be listed. Prizes will be awarded to a single entry and delivered to one address only.
• Employees of Timbecon and associated sponsors are not eligible to enter.
• Contributors who have received payment for content from Timbecon in 2024 or 2025 are not eligible to enter.
• Timbecon reserves the right to review background information where there is uncertainty around a participant’s declared skill level. If an entrant is deemed to have misrepresented their status (an entry deemed to be professional is submitted in the amateur division), they will be disqualified at Timbecon’s discretion.

• Projects must be made primarily from wood. Other materials may be included.
• Projects must have been completed after 30 April 2024.
• You may submit multiple entries and enter the same piece in more than one category if applicable. A unique entry form must be submitted for each.
• Submissions must be able to fit within the footprint of a standard Australian pallet for transport and display purposes. Maximum dimensions: 1.165m (W) x 1.165m (D) x Approximately 2.0m (H). Oversized entries may be disqualified or ineligible for exhibition unless pre-approved by Timbecon.

• Each entry must include clear, high-quality individual photos (a minimum of five is recommended). Do not submit image collages.
• Photos must accurately represent the physical project. Images must be wholly photographic—use of AI or rendering tools to create or alter the project is not permitted.
• Basic photographic editing (e.g., cropping, contrast, sharpening) is allowed. Do not digitally alter the project or add elements.
• Preferred image format: JPEG. PNG and GIF also accepted.
• Image dimensions: at least 2500px on the longest edge.
• File size: maximum 2MB per image.
• Do not include watermarks or branding in images. Such entries may be disqualified.
• If a third-party photographer is used, permission must be granted for promotional use, and their name must be included in the submission.

• Entrants retain ownership of all submitted projects and imagery.
• By entering, you grant Timbecon a non-exclusive license to use images for promotional purposes (online, print, and social media). We will always credit the maker when possible.
• Entrants must be the original creators of the submitted projects. If using a third-party design or plan, this must be clearly credited.

Entry fees are in AUD and charged per submission.

Categories include:

•  Functional & Furniture – Practical pieces such as tables, chairs, cabinets, and other functional items.
•  Artistic & Ornamental – Decorative and creative pieces including carvings, sculptures, instruments, and ornamental designs.
•  The Australian Woodturning Competition – A revival of the classic event, this category celebrates lathe-based creations such as bowls, vases, spindles, and other turned pieces.

Additional cross-category awards may include: People’s Choice Award

Judging is conducted by a panel of expert woodworkers, woodturners, artists, and designers selected by Timbecon.

Entries will be judged on (but not limited to):

• Design and originality
• Skill, technique, and build quality
• Functionality (where applicable)
• Attention to detail
• Use of materials

The judges’ decisions are final. No correspondence will be entered into.

• Entries close at 11:59pm on August 31, 2025.
• Shortlisted entries will be announced via email by September 30, 2025.
• Shortlisted finalists will be invited to exhibit their submission at Timbecon’s Tools, Timber & Techniques event on October 11, 2025. The entry fee covers the logistical cost of transporting the submission to the event venue at Timbecon, 594 Edgars Road, Epping VIC 3076.
• Winners will be announced on October 10, 2025, at an invitational event held the evening prior to the Tools, Timber & Techniques showcase.

• Prizes may include cash, products, or vouchers.
• Prizes are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.
• If a prize becomes unavailable, Timbecon reserves the right to substitute it with an item of equal value.
• Timbecon is not responsible for items lost or damaged in transit.

• By entering, you confirm that you have read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
• Any entry found to breach the rules may be disqualified and any associated prizes forfeited.
• Timbecon reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time or cancel the competition if necessary.