How a piece of red gum from Wagga Wagga became a hand-crafted present for King Charles III - ABC News

Oct 28, 2024

Scott Mitchell is a collector of timber.

Over the years, the woodworker has stockpiled beautiful pieces of wood for the day when they could be turned into something special.

"I don't collect stamps, I collect timber," he said.

"If you see an exciting piece you don't necessarily need a job for it, but it's worth grabbing a rare piece and put it into storage."

And this year, his habit paid off.

Mr Mitchell was asked to create something fit for a king — a timber box to house an ornate glass coronation plate to be gifted to King Charles III during his royal visit, on behalf of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.

In his workshop overlooking Lake George, just outside Bungendore in NSW, Mr Mitchell carefully crafted the box from 2,000-year-old Tasmanian birds eye Huon pine, Victorian fiddleback blackwood and ancient red gum.

"This is where you, pull out all the best materials, without hesitation," Mr Mitchell laughed.

And each piece of timber has its own story to tell.

Take the red gum, thought to be 19,000 years old, and used to make the small feet at the box's base.

"Apparently they were digging a dam near Wagga Wagga and they hit what they thought was rock, but turned out to be wood," Mr Mitchell said.

"They had the foresight to pull it out and hose it off and have a look at it. Someone tried to kill and dry it, and apparently all of the stock twisted like a propeller.

"So these [feet] are quite small pieces that have been cut out of what were once fairly large boards, before they twisted and warped.

"I think it's a nice thing to have a little bit of this special timber on a special box."

And that special box was designed to hold a special item — an ornate jewel-studded coronation plate crafted by internationally renowned Yass Valley glass artist Peter Crisp.

It's not just the timber that makes this box special, though.

On the box's lid, Mr Mitchell has etched the Royal Cypher of King Charles III, featuring the King's initial "C" intertwined with the letter "R" for Rex, with "III" denoting Charles III.

Above the letters sits a Tudor Crown, and around the box's sides, he's carved Australian Armoured Corp badges.

On the inside of the box, there's an intricate display of the floral emblems of all Australian states and territories.

"The golden wattle, which is our national emblem, is in the middle," Mr Mitchell said.

"From what I gather he takes quite an interest in nature, so I think he'll get a real buzz out of seeing the territories and states' floral emblems."

Mr Mitchell began woodworking at the age of 13, when his father gifted him a lathe.

"I made horrible turnings for grandparents for a long time, lamp stands and goblets that were an inch thick," he laughed.

He focused on woodworking through high school, studied fine wood design at ANU's School of Art, and has worked as a fine wood designer and craftsman.

Getting the phone call tasking him with making a box for the King, was a crowning moment.

"I mean it's a big deal, it's a very important piece. It serves a ceremony and purpose," Mr Mitchell said.

"It was a pretty nice conversation when I was told I was going to make a box for King Charles."

The royals were gifted a number of presents while on their trip to Australia, including hand-made cards and Tim Tams.

Mr Mitchell said he was not sure what would happen to the box once it made its way back to the United Kingdom.

For the journey home, the box was covered in a finely woven wool carry bag by Canberra textile artist Jennifer Robertson, while the plate was packed snug inside merino wool felted pieces knitted by Queanbeyan artist Alice Leda Pettirosso.

"Once he gets it home, he can do what he likes with it," he said.

"I believe that what usually happens with these gifts is they do come out from time to time on display. I think that's the fate of this."

He did concede he had one hope — that the box would not be completely hidden away.

"It'll probably spend a bit of time in the dark somewhere, and then come out at the right time," he laughed.

"I hope not just under the royal bed with all the other presents."