“I used to sell at markets and to a lot of educational toy shops and galleries, as well as from here,” long time Minimbah resident Bob said, modestly downplaying more than 30 years of wooden toy making in the region and exhibits at the Opera House and State Library of NSW.

“It’s not a skill you ever forget.”

Now retired, Bob nonetheless set to work reshaping the timber sawn and milled from trees that had fallen in one of the three Botanic Gardens by Sydney’s harbour. As one of 45 artists invited to exhibit in the event celebrating 200 years of the Royal Botanic Garden, he took his turn in the queue at the sawmill in Sydney to pick his timbers of choice – much of it more than 100 years old -  selecting cypress, elm, yellow-wood oak, brush box, wild plum, firewheel tree, river she-oak and Sydney blue gum to give him a range of colours and shades.

After countless hours of work over months, the result? Two handcrafted long wooden trains which move with mechanical precision and a Noah’s Ark boat, complete with animals.

“I’ve only ever specialised in toys because it’s an article that’s fairly readily sold and you don’t need to have large pieces of equipment,” he said.

Growing up on a beef farm, Bob “decided toys would be good because at last I could tell people how much I wanted for it. Unlike a primary producer – they have no say in their product and are at the mercy of the markets.”

But like anything, after 30 years repetition set in and he put down his tools. Bob hesitates to attribute the boy still within him as an influence to his chosen craft, but his pride was evident while recalling some memories – including a commissioned circus train trailing a carousel with clowns, which turned in a circle as the train moved forward.

Fortunately, in an age where ‘Made in China’ is all too prevalent on toy store shelves, Bob’s most recent work is proof that appreciation for true craftsmanship will never die. All three of his pieces sold at the Botanic Gardens exhibition.

“They’re primarily toys, but there is some craft there. It doesn’t matter what age you are to enjoy them. Children will look at it and think it’s just a train. Adults will understand the work that’s gone into them,” he said, chuckling that the two trains were purchased at the exhibition by men of a similar age to him. 

Is there still room for more to come out of his shed? 

“Maybe,” he said. “I’ve still got lots of pieces left.”