Now living in Canberra, Douglas represented the ACT at the three-day event held at the new International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour.

He competed in the Cabinet Making Category against representatives from other states and guest Nation Russia after winning the Regional Worldskills Competition in Canberra.

Douglas was delighted to make the podium, edging out the Russian champion for the Bronze Medallion.

“The competition was very intense,” he said.

“Rushing to make something in two and a half days which should really take four days to make is very stressful.”

The competitors had to make a bedside table with a door and drawer in the allotted time.

“The first day was the worst – nerves, stress and adrenaline were very high which resulted in me making a few simple mistakes,” Douglas said.

“The next two days I went in with a lot more composure and focus.

“Accuracy was key as that's where most of the marks were given.

“Overall measurements had to be within half a millimetre and the joinery for the door and drawer had to be less than a paper thickness.”

Douglas was encouraged to enter by his employer Myles Gostelow, a well known fine furniture designer/maker, after being named the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia's Apprentice of the Year for the second time.

Mr Gostelow said Douglas, who is now a qualified Cabinet Maker, has excelled in his craft since moving from Parkes.

“It's really good to find a young bloke who is as passionate and as motivated as he is,” he said.

Although Douglas missed out on a spot on the Australian Skillaroos team that will head to Russia for the international finals next year, he still has his career sights set high.

“Since there was only three points difference between first, second and third, there may be a possibility to get a scholarship to work and study Fine Furniture in Europe somewhere,” he said.

“Hopefully I can as I think it would be an amazing experience and I believe it would further develop my skills a lot more.”

The twenty-three-year old said he feels lucky to have found his passion so early in life.

“I just love making things really.” he said.

“The fact that I can see the whole process of milling down a tree and eventually being able to turn it into a piece of fine furniture is an incredible feeling.

“What I do love, is the reaction clients give when you deliver a piece of furniture far beyond what they envisioned at the start.”

Douglas said he would like to thank his parents Ken and Sue for encouraging him to follow his passions, his boss Myles Gostelow and assessor Angus Watson for training him and developing his skills.

“Without Myles especially, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere near as far in my career if weren't for him,” he said.