Rob and Sandi Hamilton have a passion.
Owners of the Vintage Wood ‘n’ That located at 54 Banker St in Barooga, the Hamiltons have been working with wood for more than half a century.
Currently in Barooga, Mr Hamilton told the Courier that their business had travelled all around the Goulburn Valley area throughout the years and had operated out of Tocumwal, Tatura and Shepparton.
Previously their operations were a serious business in which the Hamiltons sold their wares out of markets but those years are now gone.
“We do it now as basically as a hobby,” he said.
It may be a hobby, but it is nonetheless a serious one with the Hamiltons teaching their skills to home-schooled kids, special needs children and hold regular school classes
“I've had (conducted classes for kids with) special needs last year. I had special needs every week for about two months. That was awesome. It was really rewarding,” Mr Hamilton said.
“I don't charge, I do it more as a giving back ... you get a lot of satisfaction out of it.”
The Hamiltons also do paid lessons for adults via the Moira Arts for All organisation.
His business model works mostly on word of mouth.
“Word of mouth. Or I'll let people know that I'm available. They'll ring me and then we just we just organise it,” he said.
A trained real estate evaluator, Mr Hamilton decided at the age of 26 that he needed a change of jobs.
While working with wood for a livelihood, Mr Hamilton often created commercial products but now that he and his wife are retired, he is more creative with what he builds.
Among the things Mr Hamilton creates are bird houses, bespoke signs and plant boxes.
What makes Vintage Wood ‘n’ That different to other businesses is that the Hamiltons only use recycled wood which, according to Mrs Hamilton, has proved a big hit with the local community who see the value in not wasting recyclable material.
According to Mr Hamilton, there is also other benefits to recycled woods.
“It's cheap and it's readily available, and it's probably better wood than what the public is buying,” Mr Hamilton said.
Asked where he gets the wood from Mr Hamilton said that there were various methods of sourcing the wood including from donations from the public and breaking up disused wooden furniture.
The best wood to use, according to the Hamiltons, is soft wood such as pine and cedar.
He told the Courier that he still got the same satisfaction that he did when he first started.
“Just creating. Just (getting) a satisfaction of having a piece of wood and creating something different out of it,” he said.
The work method Mr Hamilton swears by is KISS (keep it simple stupid) and he believes that is essential to keep things as straightforward as possible.
As for anyone thinking about getting into designing wooden objects as a hobby, Mr Hamilton said that passion and patience was everything.
“You've got to want to do it. You've got to enjoy it. If you don't like it, if you're doing it purely for money, forget it. Get a job,” he said.
Mrs Hamilton agreed and said that working with wood was a developing process.
“As a hobby, you know, it'll just evolve,” she said.
For those interested in purchasing a product from Vintage Wood ‘n’ That or want a lesson please ring Rob Hamilton on 0459 574 909 or visit the store at 54 Banker St, Barooga.