The Purpose 

Welcome to the workshop.

Burl & Griffin is born out of a simple belief: that an honest, handcrafted piece of furniture can do more than just fill a room. It can act as a anchor for genuine connection. I salvage naturally fallen Australian timber and shape it into unique, rugged centrepieces designed to bring mates together for real conversations over shared meals and moments.

I’m Josh, the maker behind Burl & Griffin. I’m a dad, a full-time firefighter here in Canberra, and a woodworker. But the heartbeat of this space comes from a deeply personal mission.

When I was 19, my dad took his own life. That raw, sudden reality changed everything. It fuelled a lifelong commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of men who are quietly struggling. Beyond the workshop, I’ve spent the last decade working as a mentor, guiding young blokes through the twists and turns of life.

Burl & Griffin is the extension of that work. It’s where creativity, raw timber, and hard conversations find form. To back that mission up, 10% of all profits from my builds are donated directly to Australian men’s mental health charities.

When you look at a piece of my work, you’ll see the cracks, the knots, and the scars left completely honest. To me, those rugged details are the whole point, they are what make a story unrepeatable.

Take a look around the workshop, explore the builds, and feel free to reach out to commission a custom piece. Because here, it’s never just about the wood. It’s about resilience, history, and creating space for the conversations that matter.

Cheers,

Josh