21 C
Byron Shire
February 6, 2025

A personal story about Geoff Hannah

Latest News

Indigenous crime prevention program scrapped

The closure of an educational program for at-risk Aboriginal youth in the region is being suggested as one reason behind the recent jump in crime in the Northern Rivers.

Other News

Top ceramic works on display

North Coast Ceramics (the folks who bring you the MUd Trail) are currently holding their annual ceramics award at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall.

Flashmob returns for February 14

Every February 14, for the past 13 years, the annual V Day flashmob has taken place on Main Beach.

Family shocked by Wategos tree poisoning

For more than 45 years, an old Tuckeroo tree has stood resolutely beside the Roberts family home at Wategos.

Calls for AUKUS to be scrapped

The Australian Greens are calling for the $73 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with the UK and the US to be scrapped in favour of ‘building constructive relationships with our regional neighbours’, while spending the money on Australians’ needs instead.

Alarm raised over possible Varroa mite infestation

Tyagarah residents are alarmed at what they believe to be Varroa mite infested hives in the nature reserve.

Powerful results from joining quantum computing and AI

Researchers have used quantum physics and machine learning to quickly and accurately understand a mound of data – a technique, they say, could help extract meaning from gargantuan datasets.

Geoff Hannah with the Chinoiserie Cabinet. Photo Greg Saunders.

A correspondent who wishes to remain anonymous has sent The Echo a beautiful personal story about legendary master craftsman Geoff Hannah, formerly of Lismore, in response to the news about the Hannah Cabinet.

He writes, ‘Like many others I was horrified this incredible piece of cabinetry was so damaged in the 2022 flood, but now I am deeply heartened by the news of its restoration. Geoff Hannah is not only the leading talent in his field he is also the most wonderful human being and I wanted to share this story.’

The story is reproduced below

Lismore New South Wales, March 2003:

I was in Bunnings looking for some quality timber for a small job; nothing suited. I went to Hampton & Larsson and asked there, nothing available either, but a young rough as guts boy stacking the racks asked how much I needed.

‘Lot or little?’ he said, looking at me and wiping his brow with his sleeve.

‘Little,’ I replied.

With a sniff and a snort he pulled a pencil from his ear, picked up a scrap of paper from the ground and scribbled down a name and an address, ‘Try this bloke,’ and he returned to stacking racks.

The address was a modest house in a modest street in Lismore and nearby, so off I went. There I found a young man busy working in a workshop under the house. ‘Are you Geoff Hannah?’ I asked, trying to read the scribble.

‘No! Wish I was!’ He smirked ironically and pointed to another man working on a very, very big piece of cabinetry. I looked past what he was working on, to the racks and racks of fine timber he had at the very back of the workshop.

He was clearly busy, so I apologised for my dropping in and asked him if he could sell me some good timber.

He was in quite a rush but willing to accommodate. ‘Probably can,’ he said and started to pull exquisite lengths of timber from his rack. ‘There is some lovely Australian cedar here somewhere.’

‘That would be perfect,’ I said.

‘How much do you need?’ he asked.

‘Not much,’ I replied, slightly awkwardly.

‘What’s it for?’

‘A box.’

‘How big? Because there is not a lot.’

I gestured a size with my hands, about twice the size of a shoebox.

He suddenly focused on me with the pieces in his hands and then he asked so gently, ‘Who’s it for?’

‘My daughter,’ I stammered.

‘You need a coffin?’ he whispered.

I nodded.

‘Who’s going to make it?’

Unable to speak, I tapped my chest.

‘Hang on,’ he said. He totally abandoned what he was doing and got to work.

Within an hour he presented me with the most beautiful French polished Australian cedar casket and charged me only for the wood.

It was only later on, I discovered that Geoff Hannah was and is probably the greatest living cabinet maker in Australia if not the southern hemisphere and he made this for the final journey of our daughter’s short life.

Naturally those were dark times for us and it’s always been a source of pain for me that I never got the chance to thank him properly. Thank you, Geoff Hannah, you were light in the darkness, honouring our daughter with your time your talent and your kindness.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

3 COMMENTS

    • Can agree with you Jeremy – at work we all loved Geoff coming in with his cheeky smile to brighten us all. My son also had woodwork tuition from him. Joy White

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Alarm raised over possible Varroa mite infestation

Tyagarah residents are alarmed at what they believe to be Varroa mite infested hives in the nature reserve.

Truth warriors of the fifth estate to the rescue

Before the revolution in 1789, France was divided into three estates. The first estate, the clergy, held great sway over society and the power to levy a ten per cent tax – the tithe…

Ban the banner

Flags on stands and banners are waving more and more. Outside cafes, food stands, shops, and pub owners seem to be adding some kind...

Backlash for Backlash

It’s about time Backlash stopped hiding in anonymity, even though editor Hans Lovejoy accepted responsibility for it last week when it copped criticism for...