CHRISTMAS RUSH: Rod Steer is busy filling Christmas orders for their special wooden toy range.

IT was almost 35 years ago Rod Steer and his father Clive realised it was time for a major change of income direction.

The family beef farming property at Whorouly was not proving to be overly-economical in the then market conditions, and it was time to diversify.

"Dad had always wanted to make wooden toys and we tossed around a few ideas and that’s how Wombi Toys started," Rod said.

"We invited people to come into our property to see first hand how the toys were made and it snowballed from there."

The name Wombi Toys came from the first toy they made - a miniature wooden wombat on wheels.

"We developed from that toy into a small cottage industry which has grown and diversified over the years," Rod said.

"We now also make wooden furniture, do cabinet making, and some kindergarten and childcare equipment."