Big deal: Avondale College of Higher Education president Dr Ray Roennfeldt has a new bookcase and desk, but the furniture is a big deal, literally—the bookcase and desk are made by Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry graduate James Moncrieff from the bunya pines that stood for many years in the centre of the Lake Macquarie campus. The trees were removed several years ago for safety reasons and “their demise brought sadness to many,” says Ray. So, James wanted to not only make furniture that looked the part of a presidential office but that also had meaning. He let the timber speak for itself. “We didn’t stain or colour it,” he says. “We just wanted it to be the actual timber that came from the trees.” Credit: Luba Calculli.