Neil Scobie was a genuine, all round Australian craftsman. He was a designer and maker of fine furniture. He created turned and carved woodwork for galleries, as well as writing for several Australian, English and American wood working magazines. Neil was passionate about his craft and believed these skills should be shared so that they were not lost to future generations. Teaching others to make furniture, wood turning was an important part of Neil’s life. For the last 20 years he ran a woodworking school from his Bucca Creek workshop; he taught weekly classes, weekend workshops and five-day workshops.

He also enjoyed demonstrating his skills to woodworking clubs and woodturning conferences, both nationally and internationally. Neil originally trained as an Industrial Arts Teacher in 1970, and taught woodwork in NSW high schools for many years. In the early 1980’s he and his wife Liz built their home, workshop and studio in the bush not far from the coastal tourist town of Coffs Harbour on the mid north coast of NSW. From that time, he worked full time as a professional wood worker. The focus of his work was shared between creative woodturning/carving and designing/ making custom made furniture for private clients and select private galleries. These include Bungendore Woodworks, near Canberra, Australian Woodworks in the Hunter Valley and Ja Roc gallery in Margaret River, Western Australia.

He has work in many private and public collections throughout Australia and the world.

Neil really enjoyed the relationships built when designing special pieces for clients; feeling a genuine sense of pride and satisfaction as they collaborate in developing their unique piece of furniture or turned and carved art work. Most clients then commissioned Neil to create additional complimentary pieces. Through word of mouth, family and friends also often requested custom furniture, which created a continued demand for future work. Neil hoped that the furniture he designed and made will be treasured for years to come and will become the antiques of tomorrow.

Neil was a true inspiration to many of his friends and acquaintances.  He will be long missed.