Despite losing its best native timber drying stacks in the November 2011 bushfires, Jahroc of Margaret River has won a category in the 2012 Australian Furniture of the Year Awards in Melbourne. Source: Augusta Margaret River Mail
A boutique business that focuses on commission pieces and selling from its gallery in Margaret River, Jahroc took out the Excellence in Furniture Using Native Timber award.
Designer and co-owner Gary Bennett said the fire was “the most horrific thing I have ever experienced in my life, seeing mates lose their homes”.
“Although we lost our best timber, which was sad, we were lucky in that we didn’t lose the house or workshop. I don’t think I have completely bounced back from that but it is good to see homes being rebuilt,” he said.
“We had to start from scratch in sourcing native timber. Fortunately we had our eye on some marri, which had been in a farmer’s shed for many years after being blown down in a storm.
“From this we designed and made the award winning tan office suite, a commission for a surgeon who was looking for something different and relaxing. The interesting shape of the desk was created from the crotch of the tree where the trunk branches out.”
Surfing mates Gary Bennett and David Paris started the business that celebrates 25 years this year. The duo scaled down six years ago, closing their York premises, and now employ three people in the workshop.
