SHADDOCK & WOODS JOINERY WORKS
Shaddock and Woods Joinery Works in Percy Street (opposite the Baptist Church) still stands today, and, although other businesses have used the premises, the original company name remained until 2016.Three generations of Shaddocks worked there as joiners/cabinet makers as well as numerous local skilled tradesmen who served their apprenticeship there.
The founder of Shaddock and Woods Joinery Works was James Shaddock, a master craftsman dedicated to the quality of his carpentry, joinery and cabinet making. James migrated to Australia in 1885 and settled in Toowong where he married Elizabeth Standring in 1888.
James and Elizabeth Shaddock 1888
James’s trade took him to many towns, including Toowoomba and Killarney, before finally settling in Warwick c. 1906. He practised his craft in various locations in the town until 1923 when his wife purchased Allotment 14 of Section 49 in Percy Street, including machinery and improvements.
The Warwick Machine Joinery Company Ltd
When James died in Warwick in 1935 at the age of 73, his son, William, followed in his father’s footsteps. In the same year, James’s grandson, Gordon, also began his apprenticeship as a joiner with the family company, followed by his brother, Ray.
In 1964, the business was incorporated and traded as Shaddock and Woods Pty Ltd. Eric Myers sold his shares to The Decorative Glass Company owned by Charlie Ronalds while Gordon continued as managing director.
In 1965, the business acquired the Killarney Joinery Works owned by Norm McArthur. In 1968, a mini tornado devastated parts of Killarney, including the Joinery Works. Only the machinery was salvaged.
At this time, the traditional business of joiners and cabinet makers was being radically affected by the use of aluminium window frames and mass-produced furniture. Gordon read the signs and, in 1969, unveiled a new $15 000 showroom and office block to provide an advisory service for contractors and home builders.
In 1974, Gordon resigned as manager of the business and Norm McArthur, formerly of the Killarney Joinery Works, took over. In 1985, Roy Barsby bought the whole company. With the help of long-term employees Ken Hawes and Reg Freak, Roy managed the company until 1992 when Wayne Pfingst took over as manager. In 2007, Roy Barsby put the business on the market. At this point it ceased to operate as a joinery works.
While the interior has been refurbished, some features of the original building have been preserved. In 2018, it was still possible to see original supports as well as dried glue on the floor-boards near where William Shaddock worked as a glazier.
Information and photographs supplied by Margaret Hornsey (nee Shaddock), daughter of Gordon Shaddock
and great granddaughter of founder, James Shaddock.