Richard Coles

Born in country Victoria, Richard’s life-altering affair with timber began well before his first day as an apprentice cabinet maker back in the early 80s – but it was a good place to start.

On completion of his apprenticeship, Richard had displayed enough promise to be accepted into the Canberra School of Art, with a major in wood. After a couple of years honing his skills in commercial, domestic and fine furniture making, Richard was ready to go out on his own, and took up a residency making individual pieces to his own distinctive designs at Melbourne’s famous Meat Market Craft Centre.

Richards’ 3 years there included a period under the tutelage of David Upfil-Brown – acclaimed designer and maker of fine furniture, now Principal Instructor of the Centre for Furniture Craftmanship in the USA.

The up-close-and-personal nature of the Meat Market Craft Centre meant that Richard was being constantly approached with requests for private tuition in design and furniture making. Realising an opportunity to combine his natural ability as an educator with his love of furniture craftsmanship, Richard took the next step and established the Coles School Of Woodcraft in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

After 10 years at the helm, a change of lifestyle beckoned, and Richard and his family moved to the rural hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where Rivergum Timbers was born.

With a lifetime that’s revolved around a passion for Australian timbers, Richard, as the owner of Rivergum Timbers can offer you a unique guarantee of quality: If Richard wouldn’t use the veneer himself in his own highly detailed work – it won’t find it’s way onto the Rivergum stock list. Simple as that.

Wendy Pask : Office Manager

A born-and-bred Sunshine Coast local, Wendy has worked with Richard ever since Rivergum Timbers began in 2001 and is Rivergum's customer service superstar. What started as a casual, 1 day a week job a few years back has turned into an 'almost full-time' job as Rivergum has diversified and grown.

Wendy looks after the office end of the workshop, and will probably answer the phone whenever you call Rivergum. With 3 children still at home, Wendy appears to have 'timber in the veins', with 2 brothers who are carpenters. And she's married to a cabinet maker.

Carl Painter: Wood Craftsman

A cabinet maker by trade with over 15 years experience with timber, Carl's speciality at Rivergum is solid timber furniture. Carl grew up just around the corner from Rivergum's workshop and while other kids were out playing cricket, Carl was making boxes and tables. He's literally grown up making furniture and jumped at the chance of an apprenticeship with Geoff Pike of Geoff Pike Fine Furniture.

Working with veneers over the past 7 years has seen Carl develop into a master craftsman of fine tables (coffee, dining and exotic boardroom tables a speciality), chairs, bookcases and more. If you enjoy talking to someone with a real passion for timber - stop and spend some time with Carl when you next visit us at Rivergum.