Hydrowood in Victoria: Meet Julia Hall, Your Local Timber Specialist

There’s a certain type of person who stays in the timber industry for 25 years.

They don’t just work in it. They live for it.

For Julia Hall, that connection is obvious. Over the past two and a half decades, she’s worked across almost every part of the industry, from coatings and abrasives through to flooring, frame and truss, and most recently as CEO of McCormack’s Australia.

But it’s not just the breadth of experience that stands out. It’s the enthusiasm.

“I’m a total timber nut,” she says. “I love following the stories behind where timber comes from and how people bring these products to life.”

Bringing Hydrowood Closer to Victorian Projects

Julia joined Hydrowood as sales director in 2025.

For customers in Victoria, the fact that I’m here means that it’s nice and easy for me to organise presentations and samples,” she said.

“I can be out on site when you need me to be. It’s going to be a huge help when you’re specifying or when you’re project planning for a job.”

For architects and builders working on a project, Julia can come to you to help with specifications, show samples and answer questions.

“Even if it’s just trying to decide what species of Hydrowood you’re wanting to use in the project and making sure that product will be available for your job. That is what I’m here for.”

Julia with Hydrowood CEO Neale Tomlin and Kate from Sustainable Homes Melbourne.

What makes hydrowood different from other timbers

Hydrowood is old growth timber that is reclaimed from beneath the surface of hydro-electric dams on Tasmania’s west coast using specialised harvesting equipment. Species like Myrtle, Blackwood, Celery Top Pine, Huon Pine and Sassafras have been perfectly preserved in the cold, dark and oxygen-poor water for the past 40 years.

“These old growth timbers were basically thought to be lost until two very clever fellows [founders David Wise and Andrew Morgan] thought to try harvesting them,” says Julia.

“Lo a behold, the timber is stunning. We are super lucky to have access to these old growth timbers that we thought we wouldn’t be able to get any more. It’s a really exciting story.”

Timber That Feels as Good as It Looks

Timber has always held a certain place in design. Right now, that presence feels stronger than ever.

“People want timber in their homes,” Julia says. “It’s not just how it looks, it’s how it feels.”Across projects, the demand tends to centre around flooring, internal linings and cladding. Applications where the material is experienced every day, not just seen. Within that, certain species stand out. Myrtle is one Julia keeps coming back to. Not because it’s uniform, but because it isn’t.

“It comes in this beautiful range of colours,” she says.

“Sometimes you get these beautiful, fiery reds with darker tones coming through. The grain structure is the only constant, and that’s what makes it special.”

Used across floors, walls or ceilings, it brings a sense of warmth and variation that doesn’t feel manufactured or repeated.

From First Conversation to Finished Project

Julia and Bowens product specialist Frank met with Cassilis Construction.

Ask Julia what she enjoys most about her role, and it’s not a single moment. It’s the full arc of a project.

Being there when ideas are first forming. Helping shape decisions. Then coming back later and seeing how it all comes together.

“I love working face-to-face with clients,” she says.

“You get to see the thinking behind a project, and then the result at the end.”

That continuity matters. Especially when working with a material like Hydrowood, where both the story and the outcome carry weight.

For Victorian architects and builders, having that connection locally makes the process simpler, more responsive and more grounded in the reality of the project.

Making Hydrowood Easy to Work With

There’s often an assumption that a product like Hydrowood sits just out of reach. Too niche, too complex and too difficult to source.

Julia is quick to push back on that.

“If you’re considering Hydrowood and thinking it’s out of reach, please don’t,” she says.

“Hydrowood pricing is listed on the Bowens website, making it really easy for you to quote and if you need something that you can’t see, please reach out to us directly.”

That’s the shift Hydrowood is making.

From something distinctive and story-led, to something that is also practical, accessible and ready to be used.

Working with Hydrowood in Victoria

For those working on projects across Victoria, the process is straightforward.

You can explore products and pricing through Bowens, or reach out directly to the Hydrowood team for support.

And if you want to talk it through in person, Julia is there.

Whether it’s a conversation at the early stages, a site visit, or help refining a specification, that support is now local.

“Bowens have 20 branches across Victoria and the product is in stock,” says Julia.

“Even easier, you can actually order online and pick up from your local Bowens branch.”

Considering Hydrowood for a project? Reach out via our contact us page or email the team at sales@hydrowood.com.au

Architects and specifiers seeking support can contact Julia at jhall@hydrowood.com.au and organise a visit to your site.

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn