William Bayliss Canberra, Australia, who was an Australian multi-award winning craftsman has tragically died. The untimely passing of Canberra maker William Bayliss, who was well-known to many people due to his accomplishments as a carpenter, was brought to our attention today. He passed away on November 10, 2024. Will’s ever-expanding skills and artistry were on a trajectory when he was 26 years old, and for those who knew him, this trajectory went hand in hand with his modest and unassuming attitude.
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In July of 2015, William began his apprenticeship and has since gone on to become a craftsman who has won multiple awards. William, who came from insignificant beginnings, has worked his way up to become the most accomplished craftsman of his generation.
During the “Treasures in Timber” competition that took place in 2017, William’s Aquarium Cabinet was awarded the title of “Open Champion.” His accomplishments in 2017 include coming in second place in the FIAA Apprentice of the Year awards and winning a silver medal in the ACT/NSW World Skills competition. Additionally, William was recognized as the Apprentice of the Year for the year 2018, in addition to receiving the John Tiddy Memorial Prize for the ACT/NSW region in 2018.
Will’s skill began to ripen at an early age and eventually reached its peak as a result of his perseverance and commitment. Awards were bestowed upon him, including the Wootha Prize in 2019 and the FIAA Apprentice of the Year award in 2018. Will was awarded a fellowship in the year 2020, which allowed him to study with Michael Fortune and provide assistance to him while he was a resident at the Centre for Fine Woodworking in New Zealand.
Based on the Bunyjul occasional table that Will Bayliss created, he was awarded the title of Overall Winner for the Australian Wood Review Maker of the Year in the year 2021. Will was awarded the Maker of the Year Award in the Arts and Objects category for his Wilcannia cabinet, which he had created two years before. For a man whose life was cut short at the age of 26, it is obvious that a great deal more will be in store for him in the future.
Will was a treasured coworker, colleague, and friend of Evan Dunstone, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was cherished in all of these roles. Will’s talents and accomplishments as a maker were highlighted by continual professional growth, which in recent years expanded to teaching woodwork classes at Dunstone Design as well. Will began his apprenticeship with Dunstone Design in the year 2015, and they have continued to grow ever since.
As stated by Evan Dunstone, “William was the most accomplished Australian woodworker of his generation.” He was a highly accomplished artisan as well as a designer who had won multiple awards. The level of commitment that William had to woodworking was the stuff of tales.
“William was a person who spoke very little, and he allowed his hands to dictate the majority of the conversation.” Even while he never actively sought the spotlight, it seemed to find him regardless of his efforts. One of William’s greatest interests was the natural world, and he was particularly fond of reptiles. The northern frilled necked lizards that used to scurry across the playground at his school in Darwin were the subject of his first big winning piece, which was titled Bunyjul.
Numerous individuals will express their sorrow and longing for the loss of William Bayliss. Our deepest condolences go out to Will’s family and friends during this difficult time. His funeral plans and obituary will be disclosed by his family at a later date. We are really sorry for your loss.
