Preamble
Why dedicate a page to a competitor?
The short reply is Lumberjack bought Bestoys from the Bonaretti family in 1985.
But the history is far more complex than a simple sentence.
The story of the original Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd runs parallel to that of Bestoys Pty Ltd: both were set up as family enterprises: Lumberjack by Don and Del Windus with daughter Julie joining the company full time upon leaving school in 1978, and Bestoys by Jim and Ebe Bonaretti with their eldest daughter joining the company upon leaving school in 1965.
The short reply is Lumberjack bought Bestoys from the Bonaretti family in 1985.
But the history is far more complex than a simple sentence.
The story of the original Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd runs parallel to that of Bestoys Pty Ltd: both were set up as family enterprises: Lumberjack by Don and Del Windus with daughter Julie joining the company full time upon leaving school in 1978, and Bestoys by Jim and Ebe Bonaretti with their eldest daughter joining the company upon leaving school in 1965.
The Original Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd
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Lumberjack commenced operations in July, 1975 in Sydney and moved into its factory and head office in Gosford (New South Wales) the same year. By October 1976, Lumberjack Toys was advertising in the Australasian Sportsgoods and Toy Retailer (aka “The Retailer”), giving the address for Lumberjack Toy & Gift Company as 13 Hills Street, Gosford, NSW 2250.
By 1977, Lumberjack Toys advertised a different address: 8-10 Kirrawee Road, North Gosford, retaining the same telephone number, (043) 24 1230. |
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Business card of Del Windus
Don Windus was born in Cudal (NSW) in 1941 and Del in Coffs Harbour (NSW) a year before. In 1962, the first of two daughters were born, Sandra in Coffs Harbour, followed by Julie in Orange (NSW) in 1964.
Julie was 12 in 1976 when she started working in the Lumberjack toy factory and, upon leaving school in 1978, became a full-time employee with the company, working alongside her mother and father and other employees such as Charlie and her Uncle Adrian. Her main functions at the beginning were just keeping things tidy, preparing meals and fetching parts for the assemblers. These were some of her “induction” tasks. She gradually moved up the production ladder assembling doll’s houses and garages, and eventually doing some of the silk screen printing. Once she attained her driver’s licence, Julie made small deliveries in her Kombi van.
Del was a doer of all things: as a mother, cooking and cleaning, and as an employee, assembling products. Don remembers her as being unrivalled in gluing—the fastest of all employees and the most accurate. Most of the product range was fully assembled in the factory with only a few items needing minimal assembly by the end-user or shopkeeper. Del also assisted with silk screening and packing.
Julie was 12 in 1976 when she started working in the Lumberjack toy factory and, upon leaving school in 1978, became a full-time employee with the company, working alongside her mother and father and other employees such as Charlie and her Uncle Adrian. Her main functions at the beginning were just keeping things tidy, preparing meals and fetching parts for the assemblers. These were some of her “induction” tasks. She gradually moved up the production ladder assembling doll’s houses and garages, and eventually doing some of the silk screen printing. Once she attained her driver’s licence, Julie made small deliveries in her Kombi van.
Del was a doer of all things: as a mother, cooking and cleaning, and as an employee, assembling products. Don remembers her as being unrivalled in gluing—the fastest of all employees and the most accurate. Most of the product range was fully assembled in the factory with only a few items needing minimal assembly by the end-user or shopkeeper. Del also assisted with silk screening and packing.
Don did all of the machine work—cutting and using the overhead router, woodturning on the lathe—and most of the silk screening. All of the spray painting also was performed by Don using the spray booth which extracted the overspray and vapours given off by the paints. Of course, Don also assisted in packing and made the larger deliveries himself. The largest deliveries, when the van was simply too small, were made by Adrians Transport and Peter Barry in his V8 truck.
Gosford Premises
8-10 Kirrawee Road, North Gosford
8-10 Kirrawee Road, North Gosford
Lumberjack Toys at 8-10 Kirrawee Road, North Gosford
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Lumberjack Toys at 8-10 Kirrawee Road, North Gosford with delivery truck
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Lumberjack Toys at 8-10 Kirrawee Road, North Gosford
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By 1976, it was an extended family affair with Don and Del producing the toys in Gosford NSW and Don’s brother, Adrian Windus, distributing them through his company, Lumberjack Toy Wholesalers. Lumberjack products were sold through toy shops in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
October 1976 ad in "The Retailer". Products illustrated are a doll’s house, a service station with a carwash and a magnetic blackboard. The address is Gosford with a Newcastle (NSW) wholesale distributor also listed.
An undated ad featuring Lumberjack's Doll's House.
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The original design of Lumberjack's Large Service Station and Carwash as illustrated in various ads
A later version of Lumberjack's Large Service Station and Carwash with revised bowsers
Three gabled dormer windows are featured in this two-storeyed 5-room plus garage doll's house by Lumberjack. Various versions of it were decorated in different colour combinations, with the windows screen-printed with different muntins
Finds
These two examples (left and below) of Lumberjack finds are in good, play-worn condition given their age. They also show what the materials used: 3/16” (possibly ¼") particle board.
The Magnetic Chalk-Paint Board to the left differs from that illustrated in the ad above in that it has a tray between the leg spacers. It appears that one side was painted green and the other black.
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October 26, 1977 ad in the Central Coast Express illustrating the Large Service Station and Carwash being available from Caseys Toyworld and Doreen's Toyworld in the Central Coast. Note Lumberjack's address being 8-10 Kirrawee Road, North Gosford.
The back was open for easy play
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Trade Fairs
Exhibiting at Toy Fairs was a must for any Australian toy manufacturer and Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd participated enthusiastically.
Don Windus, Frank Marsh and Charlie installed, attended and ultimately dismantled them while young Julie remembers attending at least one of them.
In 1979, Lumberjack Pty Ltd displayed their products at the Toys and Games Manufacturers of Australia (TAGMA) Toy Fair held in March at Centrepoint Tower in Sydney. The photographs below are from a 1979 publication of “The Retailer”.
Exhibiting at Toy Fairs was a must for any Australian toy manufacturer and Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd participated enthusiastically.
Don Windus, Frank Marsh and Charlie installed, attended and ultimately dismantled them while young Julie remembers attending at least one of them.
In 1979, Lumberjack Pty Ltd displayed their products at the Toys and Games Manufacturers of Australia (TAGMA) Toy Fair held in March at Centrepoint Tower in Sydney. The photographs below are from a 1979 publication of “The Retailer”.
The caption reads: "Lumberjack: Popular wooden toys including dolls houses with much interest in the limited edition 2-story colonial dolls house; chalk boards; garages; block wagons and blocks; cradles; nursery furniture; play castle and play fort; stilts; billiard table; games table; table tennis table, dartboard cabinets, etc. Number of new releases inc. a Car Yard and Roadhouse in WOODY WOODPECKER items; Space Station with space buildings; Cape Cod house and single storey Colonial house." Don Windus is seated on the left and his good friend, Don Marsh, on the right.
Another photo shows a closeup of the superb limited edition Colonial dolls house, with Frank Marsh on the left, and Don Windus standing on the right. Seated on the right is John Bassingthwaighte, who had a sports and toy store in Dubbo.
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These photos are from the personal collection of Don, Del and Julie Windus. They show most of the range of wooden toys and nursery furniture that was produced by Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd prior to 1983 and all of which were presented at the TAGMA Fair of 1979.
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Block Wagon and Blocks
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Kiddies' Table and Chairs
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Rockers
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Service Stations... in many configurations
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This model Service Station was featured in Toyworld's Christmas Catalogue of 1980
Lumberjack Service Station with car wash
A different variation of Lumberjack's Service Station
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Lumberjack Service Station with car wash
Detail of another variation of Lumberjack's Service Station
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Lumberjack's Service Station in the Toyworld Christmas catalogue of 1980
Another smaller version of Lumberjack's Service Station
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A larger version of Lumberjack's Service Station
...and, of course, Doll's Houses...
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Lumberjack Toys' exquisite Colonial Doll's House promoted at the 1979 Trade Fair
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...and a Fort ...
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...a Toy Box ...
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...a Bobs Set ...
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Lumberjack Toys' Fort
...a Cradle ...
Lumberjack Toys' Doll's Swinging Cradle
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Lumberjack Toys' Toy Box
Lumberjack Toys' Toy Box
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Lumberjack Toys' Bobs Set
...even a Xylophone ...
Lumberjack Toys' Xylophone
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...a Picnic Table and Benches for the kiddies ...
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...and a Folding Table Tennis Table ...
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Lumberjack Toys' Kiddies' Picnic Table and Benches
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Lumberjack Toys' Fold-away Table Tennis Table being demonstrated by Don Windus
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...Blackboards, Chalkboards, Magnetic Boards ...
Lumberjack Toys' Single-sided Chalkboard
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Lumberjack Toys' Double-sided Chalkboard
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Lumberjack Toys' Magnetic Chalkboard
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Also promoted at the 1979 trade fair but not separately illustrated above, were play castle; stilts; billiard table (see below); games table; dartboard cabinets, and their new releases for 1979, which included a car yard and roadhouse with WOODY WOODPECKER theme; a space station with space buildings; a Cape Cod house and single storey colonial house. (The search continues...)
In 1977, Lumberjack Toys introduced a novel, space-saving device: the Q-Table, a convertible, quarter-size flip-over billiard table. Invite your guests to brunch then "Hustle" them after all the tea and scones had been scoffed.
Newspaper advertisement listing retail outlets
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March 1978 in the machinery section of the factory
Working the lathe making billiard balls
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Working the lathe making billiard balls
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Two overhead routers
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c1977-1978 Making Deliveries
c1977 - Adrian's Transport engaged to transport large volume deliveries for Lumberjack Toys
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c1977 - Adrian's Transport outside the Albany Street, Gosford home of the Windus family, a truck and trailer loaded up for Melbourne and ready to go
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1978 - Peter Barry's V8 truck laden with Lumberjack products
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1978 - Peter Barry's truck parked behind the Lumberjack factory
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1978 Proposed move to Orange
Del Windus in a newspaper article before the proposed move to Orange c1978
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Del Windus with caption reading, "Mrs. Colleen Windus"
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The business started by Don and Del Windus was growing quickly. They found it necessary to relocate (again) and determined that Orange (New South Wales) was more convenient and cost effective to supply their products to the major centres on the east coast.
These newspaper articles of 1978 and 1979 show their expectations and ultimate disappointment in being abandoned by the Bathurst-Orange Development Corporation. More can be read here: https://researchdata.edu.au/agy-1133-bathurst-development-corporation/164974 
Newpaper article announcing Lumberjack Toys' intended move to Orange
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Another newspaper article detailing the progress of Lumberjack Toys' impending move to Orange
Lumberjack Toys' open invitation to visit their factory/showroom in Gosford
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Newpaper article explaining the reasons Lumberjack Toys did not move to Orange
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1979 to 1981 Punchbowl Warehouse
Storage space being limited in Gosford, a warehouse in Punchbowl was shared between 1979 and 1981, facilitating deliveries to the Sydney Metropolitan area.
Storage space being limited in Gosford, a warehouse in Punchbowl was shared between 1979 and 1981, facilitating deliveries to the Sydney Metropolitan area.
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From left to right, Don Windus, Charlie Sorenson and Frank Marsh
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Shared warehouse in Punchbowl between 1979 and 1981
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May 1981 snaps taken in the Lumberjack Toys factory in Asquith (NSW)
About May 1981 - Charlie Sorenson and Jules Windus at Lumberjack's Asquith factory. In the background can be seen an assembled 4-room doll's house while in the foreground is a box of newly-cut frames for the gabled dormer windows
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About May 1981 - Charlie Sorenson and Jules Windus at Lumberjack's Asquith factory. In the background can be seen an assembled 4-room doll's house while in the foreground is a box of newly-cut frames for the gabled dormer windows
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About May 1981 - Jules hard at work, surrounded by parts to be glued together at Lumberjack's Asquith factory. In the foreground is an overhead drill
About May 1981 - Jules hard at work, surrounded by parts to be glued together at Lumberjack's Asquith factory. On the right of the photo is racking with bases to either doll's houses or service stations
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About May 1981 - Charlie at Lumberjack's Asquith factory
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About May 1981 - Charlie at Lumberjack's Asquith factory
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About May 1981 - Charlie at Lumberjack's Asquith factory
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About May 1981 - Charlie at Lumberjack's Asquith factory
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About May 1981 - Charlie at Lumberjack's Asquith factory
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About May 1981 - Charlie at Lumberjack's Asquith factory. In the foreground are some of the completed doll's houses ready for packing and despatch
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About May 1981 - Charlie at Lumberjack's Asquith factory enjoying a well-earned tea break
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Finds and Collections from 1976 to 1983
These Lumberjack Toys are some of the survivors of children's play - a little worn but testament to the care taken by Del, Charlie and Jules in assembling and gluing them.
These Lumberjack Toys are some of the survivors of children's play - a little worn but testament to the care taken by Del, Charlie and Jules in assembling and gluing them.
(Below) This unnamed Service Station was found on Facebook Marketplace in April 2025 and appears to be similar to the Esso Service Station advertised in Toyworld's Christmas catalogue of 1980 for $19.95 - see right.
This example is in play worn condition with its petrol bowsers missing. The cars, of course, were not supplied originally. With thanks to Facebook Marketplace and the seller and with no intention to infringe copyright. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1023405146400389/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A2184b2d9-38ca-4b6b-b2c6-8a7b93b01794 |
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Lumberjack's Esso Service Station on offer through Facebook Marketplace in April 2025
These are from Don and Del's own collection:
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1977 - The Windus children at Molong Road
By 1983 Don and Del Windus sold Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd.
New Owners of Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd
The new, enthusiastic owners were Allan and Elizabeth (Liz) Jackson of Engadine in the Sutherland Shire just south of the city.
Allan was well-versed in the toys and hobbies retail trade being the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson who had a long-established toy retail business and who, by only two degrees of separation, had been customers of Bestoys as far back as 1964 when Allan himself was a lad of 8 years of age.
By 1976, the Jackson’s had a fantastically successful business but, also by 1976, a change in the way toys, hobbies, sports and gifts were retailed swept through the industry affecting all involved from manufacturer, importer, wholesaler and retailer: Toyworld. The buying co-operative was formed in 1971 and was slow to start but built momentum until, by the mid-seventies, had retailers clamouring to join. Toyworld became very selective in membership approvals, leaving the remaining toy retailers to either manage on their own – if they were big enough, as was the case for White’s Toyland in Stanmore – or form similar alternative alliances. Uncle Pete’s was one such group and the A.B.C. Toy Shops another. The Jacksons joined the latter and, with the purchasing power of a group, were supplied product by the Windus family’s Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd as seen in the 1978 A.B.C. Toy Shops catalogue below.
Allan was well-versed in the toys and hobbies retail trade being the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson who had a long-established toy retail business and who, by only two degrees of separation, had been customers of Bestoys as far back as 1964 when Allan himself was a lad of 8 years of age.
By 1976, the Jackson’s had a fantastically successful business but, also by 1976, a change in the way toys, hobbies, sports and gifts were retailed swept through the industry affecting all involved from manufacturer, importer, wholesaler and retailer: Toyworld. The buying co-operative was formed in 1971 and was slow to start but built momentum until, by the mid-seventies, had retailers clamouring to join. Toyworld became very selective in membership approvals, leaving the remaining toy retailers to either manage on their own – if they were big enough, as was the case for White’s Toyland in Stanmore – or form similar alternative alliances. Uncle Pete’s was one such group and the A.B.C. Toy Shops another. The Jacksons joined the latter and, with the purchasing power of a group, were supplied product by the Windus family’s Lumberjack Toys Pty Ltd as seen in the 1978 A.B.C. Toy Shops catalogue below.
Lumberjack Doll's House ABC catalogue 1978
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While young Allan had a deft hand in carpentry, he had aspirations of being a surveyor and took up an apprenticeship to achieve his dream, but Fate changed his life’s course.
The Jacksons opened another toy store which needed a trustworthy manager. Allan, now in his early twenties, was just the man but it meant abandoning his dream. The buying power of the two stores, and being in a buying co-operative, meant larger quantities could be bought and larger discounts negotiated with suppliers. The close proximity of the two stores also meant that customers could easily be satisfied should one item run short in one store; it would be a quick overnight transfer from one to the other. |
By the time the Windus family decided to sell Lumberjack Toys in 1983, the Jacksons had sold their two toy stores and retired. Allan saw this as an opportunity to put his carpentry skills and his knowledge of the toy industry to good use and purchased the toy manufacturer as a going concern.
The young Jackson family ran the factory from their Engadine home, but within a few years, soon outgrew the limited outer-suburban property. More space, and the call of the countryside saw Allan and Liz purchase a small dairy farm with lots of open acreage in Robertson, a rural village nestled in the green heart of the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, 140 kms south-west of Sydney and 47 kms south-west of Wollongong and the coast. There, they continued to make a selected range of Lumberjack products, distributing them to retailers in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Allan built a mud-brick cottage to accommodate the toy-making factory—an edifice that still stands today and serves as a venue for hire. There was plenty of room on the farm and ample buildings to house the manufactory, store raw materials, and finished goods awaiting despatch.
Local youths were employed as woodworking apprentices, one eventually opening his own woodworking factory in Robertson to make gazebos. (See The Village Woodworks - https://thevillagewoodworks.com.au/)
He also had ready-made assistants on hand to help with the simpler tasks of counting out packets of screws: his children, just as the Bonaretti and Windus kids had done in their respective childhood roles.
The young Jackson family ran the factory from their Engadine home, but within a few years, soon outgrew the limited outer-suburban property. More space, and the call of the countryside saw Allan and Liz purchase a small dairy farm with lots of open acreage in Robertson, a rural village nestled in the green heart of the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, 140 kms south-west of Sydney and 47 kms south-west of Wollongong and the coast. There, they continued to make a selected range of Lumberjack products, distributing them to retailers in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Allan built a mud-brick cottage to accommodate the toy-making factory—an edifice that still stands today and serves as a venue for hire. There was plenty of room on the farm and ample buildings to house the manufactory, store raw materials, and finished goods awaiting despatch.
Local youths were employed as woodworking apprentices, one eventually opening his own woodworking factory in Robertson to make gazebos. (See The Village Woodworks - https://thevillagewoodworks.com.au/)
He also had ready-made assistants on hand to help with the simpler tasks of counting out packets of screws: his children, just as the Bonaretti and Windus kids had done in their respective childhood roles.
The end of 1984 (the year following the Lumberjack purchase) had the Bonaretti family deciding to retire from their very successful toy-making enterprise in Botany, New South Wales. Jim and Ebe Bonaretti put up for sale as ongoing concerns their manufacturing businesses – Bestoys Pty Ltd and N.E.S.Toys – as well as their importing and distribution business – Alltoys International Pty Ltd and keep the land and building at 19-21 Byrnes Street as an income-producing asset. They would subdivide the factory into smaller units, rent them out and live in the apartment on the first floor as caretakers.
By the end of 1985 both businesses had been sold to two different buyers, both of whom operated from the Byrnes Street premises.
By the end of 1985 both businesses had been sold to two different buyers, both of whom operated from the Byrnes Street premises.
Meanwhile, in Robertson, the Lumberjack move was complete and production in full swing. Allan’s new business blossomed. Wherever possible, he sought bargains in raw materials and equipment; a new opportunity came to Allan’s attention.
In 1987, the original purchaser of the Bestoys manufactory went into liquidation, leaving many of the goods, machinery and raw materials to be sold at auction to satisfy creditors, including the Bonaretti family who were owed a considerable amount in rent.
On 16th July, Allan drove up to Botany and successfully bid on a large quantity of Masonite as well numerous screen-printing frames, flatbed trolleys and a trolley jack, and the custom-made screen-printing drying rack trolleys made by Quality Wrought Iron. He brought these back with him to Robertson; he was quickly outgrowing the allocated buildings on the farm. Wingecarribee Shire Council was concerned about this growth and eventually required Allan find new premises to accommodate this burgeoning enterprise.
In 1987, the original purchaser of the Bestoys manufactory went into liquidation, leaving many of the goods, machinery and raw materials to be sold at auction to satisfy creditors, including the Bonaretti family who were owed a considerable amount in rent.
On 16th July, Allan drove up to Botany and successfully bid on a large quantity of Masonite as well numerous screen-printing frames, flatbed trolleys and a trolley jack, and the custom-made screen-printing drying rack trolleys made by Quality Wrought Iron. He brought these back with him to Robertson; he was quickly outgrowing the allocated buildings on the farm. Wingecarribee Shire Council was concerned about this growth and eventually required Allan find new premises to accommodate this burgeoning enterprise.
At around the same time, Robertson itself was undergoing changes. The cheese making factory that had been established some fifty years earlier was closing. The plant was an elongated commercial building located on a large 1,682 m2 site on the main street at the eastern entrance to Robertson. It was owned by the Dairy Farmers Co-operative Milk Co. Ltd. but, in 1989, through a series of mergers, the collective became Australian Co-operative Foods (ACF), and the facility closed. The factory remained disused and empty save the three huge 800-gallon (3,600-litre) stainless-steel cheese vats, power generators, hundreds of wooden cheese boxes and a vast cool room fitted with row upon row of shelving.
The new board of directors of ACF decided to put the property, land, buildings and contents up for sale. Allan Jackson was in need of much larger premises, something that would be local to him and easy to move into and so made enquiries about purchasing it. But raising a family of five children, buying a toy manufactory together with other ongoing enterprises meant he was a little constrained financially and felt, regrettably, that he had to pass up the opportunity to buy the ‘old cheese factory’. That’s when the finance director of ACF contacted Allan and urged him to make an offer. Pushed into a corner, and not wanting to say ‘no’ outright, Allan made ACF an offer he felt certain they would refuse. To his surprise, initial delight and ultimate shock, the offer was accepted!
Allan was now the owner of a large factory on extensive grounds on an escarpment overlooking the picturesque Kangaroo Valley.
He set about emptying the premises, selling off the stainless-steel vats, removing shelving from the cool rooms, disposing of the sundry equipment, storing the hundreds of cheese boxes, which would later be made into souvenirs of one’s visit to the “Old Cheese Factory”, and remodelling the interior into segregated areas for machinery, spray-painting, silkscreen printing, assembly and storage. Sections of the old cheese factory were walled off and others opened out.
Production of wooden toys and rocking horses would now be carried out in spacious efficiency, much like that he had been shown by Jim Bonaretti during his visit to the Bestoys factory in Botany less than two years prior.
Allan was now the owner of a large factory on extensive grounds on an escarpment overlooking the picturesque Kangaroo Valley.
He set about emptying the premises, selling off the stainless-steel vats, removing shelving from the cool rooms, disposing of the sundry equipment, storing the hundreds of cheese boxes, which would later be made into souvenirs of one’s visit to the “Old Cheese Factory”, and remodelling the interior into segregated areas for machinery, spray-painting, silkscreen printing, assembly and storage. Sections of the old cheese factory were walled off and others opened out.
Production of wooden toys and rocking horses would now be carried out in spacious efficiency, much like that he had been shown by Jim Bonaretti during his visit to the Bestoys factory in Botany less than two years prior.
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Always enterprising, Allan saw the potential of using the old cheese making works as a tourist drawcard. After all, Robertson was well known in New South Wales not only for its dairy industry, piggeries – think of “Babe” – and cheese-making of course, but also for its famous red soil potatoes and pies. Already a tourist attraction since its construction in 1979, the Big Potato was only a short 240 metres westward along the main road and the Robertson Pie Shop, established in 1961, a five-kilometre drive eastward. So why not invite visitors to those attractions to come along and witness the making of quality wooden toys? Adding to the enticement, Allan opened a café on the premises of the renamed “Old Cheese Factory” so visitors could see the toy-making in progress. He replaced some of the south-facing walls with glass panels so visitors could take in the extensive valley views where "Babe" was filmed while enjoying a cuppa and scones.
“But where’s the cheese?” Any cheese factory – old or new – without cheese was an obvious misnomer. To satisfy those guests looking for cheese, Allan provided a range of local and imported cheeses through a new outlet in his café run by an independent retailer.
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Babe, the piglet that stole our hearts and made so many new vegetarians
The Big Potato in Robertson - perfect for vegetarians
The Robertson Pie Shop surely with vegetarian pies
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Business was booming. Allan’s rocking horses and wooden toys were sought after, attracting the hoi polloi and elite alike. His most famous sale was a masterful rocking horse sold to Paul Keating for $3,000.
Another snap of The Old Cheese Factory posted on Trip Advisor showing rocking horses - with thanks
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And another posted on Trip Advisor showing a rocking horse and overlooking the valley - with thanks
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Having friends in the antique business and being well-known in the community meant that Allan was soon approached to allow them to rent out spare space, bringing more traffic through the buildings and, with that, more enquiries from other vendors to rent space for their various enterprises.
The “Old Cheese Factory” was now a destination in itself, offering food, antiques, old wares, and, of course, the range of Lumberjack Toys all under one roof with ample parking and outside dining.
Allan set up a gelateria to make and sell not only traditional Italian ice cream but also frozen yoghurts, now known as SoHi Gelato and still located in the Old Cheese Factory. Mumma’s Country Kitchen continues to offer these as well as a good selection of cheese, preserves and condiments as set up originally by Allan Jackson.
The “Old Cheese Factory” was now a destination in itself, offering food, antiques, old wares, and, of course, the range of Lumberjack Toys all under one roof with ample parking and outside dining.
Allan set up a gelateria to make and sell not only traditional Italian ice cream but also frozen yoghurts, now known as SoHi Gelato and still located in the Old Cheese Factory. Mumma’s Country Kitchen continues to offer these as well as a good selection of cheese, preserves and condiments as set up originally by Allan Jackson.
Snapshot of "The Guide" listing of Lumberjack's Toys taken on 3rd December 1998
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N.E.S.Toy's "Ukky Duckling Rockaway when it was produced in the Bestoys factory
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July 2003, Lumberjack Toy Shop is listed at the Old Cheese Factory (https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030724045339/http://robertson-nsw.com.au/Shopping.htm)
Snapshot of the Robertson Guide taken 24th July 2003
Retiring…
On 4th September, 2017, the Southern Highlands News announced that, “after 28 years of the Robertson Cheese Factory, owners Liz and Allan Jackson are calling it a day.”
Indeed, it was not only the “end of an era for family,” but also the end of an era in wooden toy-making in Australia. No longer would Lumberjack, Bestoys or N.E.S.Toy products be made.
On 4th September, 2017, the Southern Highlands News announced that, “after 28 years of the Robertson Cheese Factory, owners Liz and Allan Jackson are calling it a day.”
Indeed, it was not only the “end of an era for family,” but also the end of an era in wooden toy-making in Australia. No longer would Lumberjack, Bestoys or N.E.S.Toy products be made.
In October 2024, a sojourn to the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales uncovered a wealth of information about the path Lumberjack Toys took under the auspices of the new owner, Mr. Allan Jackson. The above information was provided by Allan and is as accurate as my memory allows. There's a lot more of the story to tell...
Amendments and more information will be posted soon.
In the meantime, my sincere thanks to Allan Jackson, Judy Fisk of CTC in Robertson who pointed me in the right direction, to Jenny Kenna of Robertson News who published my request for information, to Scott Thomas who took the time to contact me regarding his association with Allan, to Pamela Griffiths-Clarke, archivist, who gave me very helpful hints on where to find further information and, generally, to the wonderful residents of Robertson - their attitude is as beautiful as the countryside they inhabit.
Amendments and more information will be posted soon.
In the meantime, my sincere thanks to Allan Jackson, Judy Fisk of CTC in Robertson who pointed me in the right direction, to Jenny Kenna of Robertson News who published my request for information, to Scott Thomas who took the time to contact me regarding his association with Allan, to Pamela Griffiths-Clarke, archivist, who gave me very helpful hints on where to find further information and, generally, to the wonderful residents of Robertson - their attitude is as beautiful as the countryside they inhabit.
Some photos of the Robertson Cheese Factory through the years
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Date unknown
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Date unknown
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Taken by Felicity W on 8th January 2016
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These photos were taken on 12th October, 2024
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These interior shots show the cafe that used to be the Lumberjack factory and, prior to that, Robertson Cheese Factory.
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The kitchen and prep area of the cafe was formerly the spray room and silkscreen printing area of the Lumberjack Toy Factory
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The outlook from the cafe through the glass wall and overlooking Kangaroo Valley. "Babe" was filmed in the valley. The farmhouse set was built specifically for the film and demolished once shooting was complete.
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The following information will be amended in due course...
On 17th May 2011, Lumberjack Toys Australia Pty Ltd is wound up as the directors of the company are of the opinion that the company will not be able to pay its debts within twelve (12) months. The address of this Lumberjack is not listed, and the liquidators are listed as being in Wagga Wagga.
This coincides with an entry in ASIC's (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) register deregistering a company of the same name. The date of the original registration is 20th May1985, the same year Bestoys Pty Ltd is sold. The former name of Lumberjack Toys Australia Pty Ltd is listed as Brevasi Pty Ltd. The deregistration date is 1st July 2012.
On 17th May 2011, Lumberjack Toys Australia Pty Ltd is wound up as the directors of the company are of the opinion that the company will not be able to pay its debts within twelve (12) months. The address of this Lumberjack is not listed, and the liquidators are listed as being in Wagga Wagga.
This coincides with an entry in ASIC's (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) register deregistering a company of the same name. The date of the original registration is 20th May1985, the same year Bestoys Pty Ltd is sold. The former name of Lumberjack Toys Australia Pty Ltd is listed as Brevasi Pty Ltd. The deregistration date is 1st July 2012.
