Bruce Leadbeatter Award for Woodworking

The Bruce Leadbeatter Woodworking Award recognises the exceptional woodworking skills of iTE members and celebrates the craftsmanship, creativity and technical expertise of Technologies teachers.

While our students are recognised through exhibitions such as SHAPE, this award provides an opportunity for teachers to showcase their own woodworking projects and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and passion they bring to the profession.

To recognise the diverse ways our teachers engage with woodworking, the Bruce Leadbeatter Woodworking Award is presented in two categories.

The Teaching Resource Project category celebrates projects designed to support classroom learning, including demonstration pieces, teaching aids and exemplars that inspire students and showcase effective woodworking practice.

The Open Woodworking Project category recognises outstanding personal or professional woodworking projects, rewarding excellence in craftsmanship, design and technical skill.

Both categories honour the creativity, knowledge and passion of Technologies teachers while acknowledging that exceptional woodworking can be expressed in different ways.

Projects may be created as:

• demonstration pieces for classroom teaching

• resources to support student learning

• personal woodworking projects

• professional learning or skills development

The award honours the legacy of Bruce Leadbeatter, recognising excellence in the use of timber as both a functional and creative material.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• be a current financial member of iTE at the time entries close and when the award is announced;
• have commenced and completed the project within the same calendar year as the application;
• use timber as the primary material in the project.

Multiple entries may be submitted.

Applicants are required to submit:

1. Project Images

• a minimum of three (3) high-quality photographs of the completed project;

• a minimum of two (2) photographs showing the project during construction;

• one photograph of the maker with the completed project.

2. Project Description (1–2 pages)

Including:

• project objectives;

• timber species and materials used;

• construction processes;

• joinery techniques;

• finishing methods;

• challenges encountered and how they were overcome.

3. Maker's Statement (Maximum 1 page)

Provide a brief overview of:

• your background in woodworking;

• why you chose to make the project;

• how the project has contributed to your professional practice or classroom teaching.

Projects will be assessed on:

Nominations must be made using the iTE President’s email address president@iiate.asn.au by 25^th September 2026 to be considered by the Awards Team