For such a small community Tharwa produces a disproportionate amount of exceptional artists and craftspeople.
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This is a legacy residents are concerned could be lost with changes proposed by the ACT government within the Tharwa Draft Village Plan.
![Doug Keith was awarded the apprentice of the year in furniture design at the FIAA awards. His mentor, furniture designer craftsman Myles Gostelow says that he is a quick learner and a valued member of the business. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong Doug Keith was awarded the apprentice of the year in furniture design at the FIAA awards. His mentor, furniture designer craftsman Myles Gostelow says that he is a quick learner and a valued member of the business. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/f8002db1-f8b7-4836-baa3-dfa471caf90e/r0_0_2000_1333_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Adding to the list of successful craftspeople is Doug Keith, who recently walked away with the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia's Apprentice of the Year award.
Mr Keith, in his fourth year of an apprenticeship with furniture designer Myles Gostelow, beat apprentices from around Australia to take the award for a second time. He also received $1600 for winning the Outstanding Achievement category.
![Myles Gostelow and his apprentice Doug Keith with the coffee table that was part of Mr Keith's winning portfolio. Mr Gostelow hopes Tharwa remains a place that continues to produce talented artists and craftspeople. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong Myles Gostelow and his apprentice Doug Keith with the coffee table that was part of Mr Keith's winning portfolio. Mr Gostelow hopes Tharwa remains a place that continues to produce talented artists and craftspeople. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/776d6eb6-ca88-42d2-9417-15579f5347fb/r0_0_2000_1333_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Gostelow and Mr Keith work together to create custom, commissioned pieces of furniture which often involve months of work and can sell for $60,000 or more. Mr Gostelow said his apprentice has excelled since moving from Parkes.
"It's really good to find a young bloke who is as passionate and as motivated as Doug is," he said.
For Mr Gostelow, who has called Tharwa home for 17 years, it is vitally important the village keep its character which he says is deeply intertwined to the works created by artisans in the area. Tharwa is home to many artforms becoming less common in mainstream society such as knife making and ceramicists.
"We're committed to trying to retain, nurture and develop the art and craft in Tharwa," Mr Gostelow said.
"It's such a unique area, I don't think there's anywhere else in Australia like this.
"The type of trades that we have and the environment we are in, it creates that feeling for a prospective buyer of something quite special."
The draft plan released by the ACT government proposes to release blocks for residential development, rezone the public hall and tennis courts for commercial use, and make further improvements to the village to entice tourists.
Public consultation on the draft plan ended on September 22 and an ACT government spokeswoman said the submissions would be used to inform the final plan which is expected to be completed in early 2018.
"The draft plan recognises the arts community of Tharwa and seeks to enhance its unique character and build future community, tourism and recreational opportunities for Canberra," the spokeswoman said.
Mr Gostelow said he hoped the government would work collaboratively with the arts community to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.
"I think what we want to see is the minimal amount of change but enhancing some of the assets that we have," he said.
"Let the community tell the government what we need, because for a long time we've been telling them what we need and they haven't been listening to us."