MORE than 12 months ago, Steel Road Custom Furniture in Yackandandah was invited to submit an Expression of Interest for a commission to design and manufacture bespoke, high-end, solid timber, furniture pieces for the Speaker’s Dining Room, at the Parliament of Victoria.
Steel Road was founded by Elliot and Louise Gorham in 2019, after relocating from Melbourne to set up a world class furniture making workshop in Yackandandah.
After a long and rigorous selection process, which included submitting their ‘EOI’, quoting, being shortlisted, prototype chair making, and providing a lengthy supplier statement, which addressed detailed and specific assessment criteria, the panel selected Steel Road as the successful applicant.
The furniture was manufactured to a very tight deadline and the Steel Road team delivered the final pieces to Parliament on August 31.
“I believe 14 EOI’s were submitted by furniture makers Australia wide, just three were shortlisted to prototype the dining chair and from there, we were selected to make the furniture, which was a great moment for us,” Elliot said.
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“With over 15 years’ experience, we have in-depth knowledge and skill in timber manufacture.
"Specialising in solid timber construction, we manufacture and supply all areas of the industry, servicing both residential and commercial, supplying both loose furniture and architectural components."
Louise said it was Steel Road's top priority to showcase the skills of their fellow small businesses and collaborators in the North East.
"We wanted this project to be a celebration of local businesses,” she said.
"We have access to the finest timbers, including Denis Brown’s premium Blackwood (in Yackandandah), we utilise the skills of a master polisher, Rob Love (in Bright), who has over 40 years’ experience, and the brief for the Parliament chair was to have a leather upholstered seat pad, so we needed to outsource that element to our local expert, Ben Saunier (from Porepunkah).
"It’s a team effort for sure.”
