• Timber Frames of Australia


Our Team

Love for the product and dedication to the trade are the corner posts of the TFA team.

		Peter Harwood Peter grew up in England and started his professional life as a surveyor. Surveying gave him opportunities of recording historic buildings (including Windsor Castle/UK) during which time a deep fascination for the ancient craft of timber framing was embedded. His surveying work took him to many different countries and the travel bug soon took hold of him. Australia was on one year's itinerary and the appreciation for this beautiful country encouraged Peter to apply for permanent residency. The admiration for the craft of timber framing as well as the realisation of a market for traditional timber frames was the foundation of Timber Frames of Australia. What does he love most about his work? The challenge of creating a timber frame to match the dreams and visions of our customers.


		Isabelle Harwood Having grown up in Switzerland, Isabelle went through a strict apprenticeship training in the field of commerce. During her year of travelling mostly throughout Australia, Isabelle met Peter and together they enjoyed many outback tracks on an off-road converted sidecar. There are many interesting and hair-raising stories to be told. Having worked in diverse industries and departments, Isabelle gained experience in a wide range of jobs. As TFA grew, her responsibilties refined and now Isabelle is responsible for the marketing side as well as looking after customers. Her vision for the future is to create an independant organisation which promotes the craft of timber framing Australia-wide. What does she love most about her work? Being able to promote this beautiful craft Australia wide.


		Adrian Tanner Adrian comes from a background of passion and appreciation for the carpentry industry. During his apprenticeship with an old-style teacher, he learned very quickly that honesty, quality and customer care are a very important part in any business. During several years of working in the role of site supervisor, a field where his passion for team work, leadership and customer care as well as working to a high standard of quality was embedded. In 2009 Adrian and his family migrated to Adelaide to pursue a life amongst our beautiful Australian way of life. He was in charge of building several extensions to schools. In October 2011 Adrian joined TFA as Production Manager and is responsible for seeing TFA's beautiful timber frames being crafted and put up on site. What does he love most about his work? Ensuring that the TFA craftsmen are able to create frames that provoke a high level of satisfaction within TFA's customers.


		Ralph Coupland Ralph is an experienced Timber Framer and team leader in TFA's Workshop. He emigrated from the UK in March 2008 with his young family to work for TFA, after spotting an ad on the Carpenter's Fellowship website and deciding that framing in the South Australian sunshine was a prospect too good to miss. Having worked for the UK's leading restoration timber framing firm, he is involved in all aspects of the framing process, and relishes the daily challenges and problem-solving processes integral to creating unique frames. What does he love most about his work? The satisfaction of seeing customers' reactions as their frames are raised.


		Sebastien Segato Seb, our resident Frenchman, joined the team in late 2009 after working as a Timber Framer for a prestigious company in the UK. Seb particularly enjoys crafting the more complex aspects of the frames, including hips, valleys and dormers; and he's a dab hand at working out the necessary calculations during the head-scratching joinery moments that most projects involve. What does he love most about his work? That our frames are built to last. There's nothing disposable about a traditional framed building.


		Steve Stoodley Originally trained as a Teacher, Steve joined the team in 2009 as an Apprentice Framer. With his love of all things medieval and a deep appreciation of the craft, Steve loves the 'wow' factor of the distinctive frames he helps create. Steve's role includes the selection of timber and setting out frames, scribing and cutting of joinery, test fitting, timber preparation and raisings. He loves the satisfaction of seeing each frame take shape, and the complex problem-solving process that the work entails. What does he love most about his work? Being part of such a skilled, creative and cohesive team.


		Noelene Wedding Noelene is our Administration Angel and is in an unique position to be part of our team as well as being involved in all aspects of this dynamic and growing company. Noelene enjoys liaising with customers and suppliers, keeping the office operation in good working flow to be able to provide our customers with an every improving service. What does she love most about her work? Completing a task to a high standard.


		Alice Thorn Alice is working part time in our office. She helps with the organisation of Timber Frames of Australia attending local and interstate exhibitions, is involved in projects and is another friendly voice at the end of the telephone line. Alice is very happy when all runs smoothly prior, during and at the end of exhibitions, especially those interstate. What does she love most about her work? Knowing that everything went well at the exhibitions and that they are a success.

All team photos by John Drury.