Barooga’s beloved Wood ’n’ That shop to close

It all started after their daughter’s first birthday; they went looking for a children’s table and chairs, but weren’t happy with anything they found.

“Rob said, ‘I reckon I could make these, so let’s go home and get the timber,’” Sandi said.

“He made them, and I painted them a really pretty lime-green colour ― that was 52 years ago now, which is pretty scary.”

It was an unlikely beginning for Rob, who admits that when he was younger he was not a practical person and didn’t like woodwork at school.

“I was known as useless in my family because if someone was going to tip a tin of paint over, I'd do it,” he said, laughing.

“I mowed the lawn one day without any mower blades ― I was just not a practical person.”

But something changed when he decided to have a go at making that first set of furniture for his daughter.

He began making toys and other wooden creations, teaching himself through trial and error, and before long, what had started as a one-off project had become a passion.

“It’s amazing how it just clicked, and suddenly, I was so passionate,” he said.

The couple's first workshop was at the back of their house in Frankston, where Rob began making his creations and the pair sold them at markets.

Eventually, they moved to Shepparton, officially opening Wood ’n’ That on Corio St in 1981.

The business grew into a specialist maker of educational toys and furniture, supplying kindergartens, playgroups and daycares across Victoria and southern NSW.

“Our signature product was called a games table,” Sandi said.

“It had stools and a flip lid, so you could take it off and have storage underneath. It was like a Lego table — it was back when Lego was big.”

Other popular products included bunk beds, dolls’ houses and wooden toys, including cars, trains and fire engines.

The couple were always very community-minded, and from the moment they opened up shop in Shepparton, Rob began donating toys to Ronald McDonald House.

The business continued to grow, later moving to Naomi St, where they had a large factory with a showroom at the front, and later to Old Dookie Rd.

In total, they spent 18 years operating in Shepparton, building a loyal customer base along the way.

“We were unique with what we did, and we had a very strong following with our clientele in Shepparton,” Sandi said.

Eight years ago, the couple settled in Barooga, initially setting up their shop on Vermont St before moving to Banker St, where it has remained for the past six years.

Over those decades, the business has evolved from children’s toys and furniture into garden art, signs, bird boxes and stools.

For the past 10 years, Rob has worked exclusively with recycled timber, which he says can be more challenging to work with but makes each piece unique.

Sandi said Rob was “very generous” with his knowledge and time, hosting workshops for kids and adults over the years, particularly with schools in Cobram and kids with disabilities.

“I had some coming in every week, and in the end, it was like a family,” Rob said.

“They felt safe, they felt rewarded, and they’d come in with a big smile.

“Even with some of the adult classes, someone would come in lacking confidence and then at the end of the four hours they’d drive a hammer like a true legend.

“It was just the change in mindset, I really enjoy seeing that emotional development with children and adults.”

That sense of creativity and accomplishment is what has kept Rob so passionate about woodworking for more than five decades.

“I don’t care what I’m making or what I’m doing, it’s the creativity,” he said.

From raising a family and working full-time jobs, it’s their passion that has kept them going.

Wood ’n’ That will officially close its doors in the middle of October, but will continue to sell at markets.

“I feel very fortunate that we’ve done something we really enjoy and love,” Rob said.

“It’s not necessarily retiring — it’s simply downsizing.”