Well over 20 years ago,in Tasmania, a lady wandered into Chris Woolcock's workshop where he made educational toys for children. Chris, whose grandfather had taught him to whittle wood as a young boy, was going broke as competition had begun to build from China. The lady wondered if Chris could repair an old rocking horse of hers. He thought he could give it a go and spent the next few weeks repairing the horse and building new pieces to replace those which had fallen victim to rot and worm. Whilst he was doing this repair work a man came in and exclaimed "At last I have found someone who can make me a rocking horse!" Chris quoted what he thought was an outrageous price to make this man a rocking horse but the man was happy to pay.
So a business was born which has come from Tasmania to McGraths Hill (143 Pitt Town Road). Chris has made over 5000 rocking horses since then, some for celebrities; many, many more for ordinary Australians who see the beauty and magic in something made by hand from wood, not plastic. The wonder of owning and handing down through generations a gorgeous rocking horse, each one having its own personality.
Chris and his partner Viktoria are a dynamic couple in person. Between Chris and his incredible craftsmanship and Viktoria with her collections of prams and porcelain dolls they have something unique to sell not just to Sydney but to Australia. Not content to simply sell rocking horses they have built a business which incorporates everything from tour groups coming to the property to intensive workshops where participants are able to craft their own rocking horses.
Participants for these workshops are usually in their late fifties and early sixties. Age is no limit though - an 83 year old man and a 76 year old woman have participated. The latter was never able to buy her daughter a rocking horse as a child and wanted to make a horse for her for her 50th birthday. She began the course immaculately coiffed and groomed and ended it covered in sawdust!
A fellow from Brisbane has been to the workshop twice, travelling from Brisbane to make a rocking horse for each of his grandchildren.
Such are the touching stories Chris and Viktoria have to tell.
On their 10 acre property Chris and Viktoria also have animals, sheep, ducks and turkeys amongst them. They love giving people the opportunity to get close to the animals and Chris is particularly passionate about breeding rare chickens, which when I visited were young hatchlings in an incubator. The chance for adults and children to nestle warm eggs in their hands is something many have not experienced before.
The workshop itself is wonderful - everything is covered in a layer of sawdust and a myriad of half finished and completed horses are to be seen. It is a joy to be shown around and marvel at the work done here. The level of work intensifies in the months and days leading up to Christmas, with Chris working from 5.00am to 9.00pm seven days a week. Christmas is celebrated by the Woolcocks themselves in the New Year, as that is when they can finally relax.
Not only is Viktoria an intrinsic part of Rocking Horse Lodge, she is also a prime mover behind the Hawkesbury Artists and Artisans Trail.
This busy couple are truly passionate about this amazingly productive part of Australia.
I leave Renaissance Rocking Horses laden with fresh vegetables and preserves. And the thought that when I am 76 I too might be able to make a rocking horse of my own!
For further information on tours and courses please go to www.rockinghorses.com.au
143 Pitt Town Road
McGraths Hill
02 4577 8697
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