Bill Thomas came to pottery in the early 70’s after his mother set up a wheel in the back shed - He undertook Adult Education courses and private research eventually deciding to undertake some formal education in ceramics.

In 1975 he and wife Hedy drove the overland route from Bombay to London. On arrival in London Bill was interviewed and accepted into the Studio Pottery course at the Harrow College of Art.

These two years form the basis of Bills pottery experience– they were tough but memorable and enjoyable times – It is natural that there should be a strong English country pot influence in the forms Bill now produces.

Returning to Australia in 1978 he established Panogana Pottery at Dodges Ferry where the workshop continues to develop, grow and evolve.

Dodges Ferry is a coastal seaside town and it is not difficult to see the impact of this in the decoration of Panogana work.

Panogana produces a range of stoneware oven to table pottery - strong forms, primarily functional yet having a charm of their own when not in use.

The name "Panogana" is derived from Tasmanian Aboriginal language and means clay or whitish mud.