Five Generations in Timber

David Timber | Worker Market Stallholder

For some people, timber is a profession. For others, it’s a hobby. For David, it’s simply been a way of life.

Born and raised in Coutts Crossing, just a short drive from Glenreagh, David has spent nearly six decades surrounded by timber, forests and craftsmanship. Today, visitors to the Glenreagh Markets can find him sharing that lifelong passion through the handcrafted timber creations he sells from his market stall.

But his connection to timber runs much deeper than the items on display. “I was born into it,” David says simply. While he doesn’t describe it as a family tradition, timber has always been woven into the fabric of family life. In fact, David’s son is now the fifth generation of their family cutting timber on Heifer Station, continuing a connection that stretches back through generations.

“We’ve got the paperwork to prove it,” he laughs. It’s a remarkable story that reflects the history of many local families whose livelihoods, skills and identities have been shaped by the timber industry.

Built From Timber Country

Across the Clarence Valley and surrounding regions, timber has helped build communities, support families and create opportunities for generations.

The forests provided work, the mills powered local economies, and the skills passed from one generation to the next became part of the area’s identity. For David, growing up in timber country meant developing an appreciation not just for the resource itself, but for what could be created from it. That appreciation is one of the reasons he enjoys attending the Glenreagh Timber Festival. “It’s amazing what people can make out of scrap timber,” he says.

One display that particularly stood out featured timber stools crafted in an unusual Z-shape design. “They looked impossible, but you could stand on them. They were incredibly strong.” It’s that combination of creativity, craftsmanship and innovation that continues to draw people to the festival year after year.

Celebrating Skills Old and New

While the timber industry has evolved dramatically over the decades, the Glenreagh Timber Festival provides a rare opportunity to see traditional skills celebrated alongside modern creativity. For David, one of the highlights is the Woodshop demonstrations.

Watching skilled craftspeople transform raw timber into something useful and beautiful remains one of his favourite parts of the event. It’s a reminder that timber isn’t simply a product. It’s a craft. It’s knowledge passed down through generations. And it’s a connection between people, place and history.

Festival Memories

Like many festival-goers, David has plenty of memories from past Glenreagh Timber Festivals. One that stands out is watching legendary Australian axeman David Foster compete. Standing just metres away from the chopping arena, David witnessed firsthand the power, precision and athleticism that make woodchopping one of the festival’s signature attractions. “It was phenomenal,” he recalls.

The competition was decided by just a single swing of the axe. Moments like that capture the spirit of the festival — celebrating the skills, traditions and industries that helped shape regional Australia.

Another highlight was seeing an old steam-powered sawmill operating, bringing to life the machinery and methods that once drove the timber industry throughout the region.

Why It Matters

When asked how important the Glenreagh Timber Festival is to the village, David doesn’t hesitate. “Super important.” For him, the festival is more than a day of entertainment.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate local history, showcase talent and remind younger generations of the role timber played in building communities like Glenreagh and those throughout the surrounding region.

As the festival approaches its twentieth year, stories like David’s remind us that timber isn’t just part of Glenreagh’s history. It’s part of its identity.

Through the makers, workers, families and craftspeople who continue to share their knowledge and passion, that story continues to grow. And for visitors walking through the markets, watching a woodworker at work, or admiring something handcrafted from a simple piece of timber, they’re not just seeing a product. They’re seeing generations of knowledge, skill and connection brought to life.

David Timber | Worker Market Stallholder