The end of an era: Bob Crosbie, TTTG president retires

From John Bates, Secretary, Traditional Tools Group

On 18 June 2023, long-time TTTG President Bob Crosbie announced his retirement from that role and also stood down from his role on the Management Committee.

Bob holds Member No.2 and was awarded Life Membership in 2021. He was part of the original small group of enthusiasts which established TTTG in 1992. Bob has been a powerful motive force for TTTG; running workshop classes, conducting hand tool displays, chairing meetings and tirelessly promoting the TTTG cause to all and sundry. It is a tribute toto his work over the years that TTTG exists and has its amazing room at Eastwood today.

The TTTG NEWS Magazine was edited by Bob for more years than I care to remember and, under his editorship, grew from a short newsletter into a quarterly journal; the August 2023 issue marks 177 editions. Articles by Bob frequently appeared in our magazine and more recently his earliest efforts have been featured in ‘Articles from the Archives’.

Bob Crosbie in action at a past Timber & Working With Wood Show, Sydney 2016. Photo: Linda Nathan

Bob was a regular fixture at the Timber and Working with Wood Shows in Sydney where he demonstrated the art of working wood and fettling planes. Minimalism was second nature to Bob and his no-bullshit approach earned him followers and some critics. Thanks to Bob open days at Linnwood House, Guildford frequently featured a TTTG table, and he established links between TTTG and Parramata Female Factory, Parramata & District Historical Society, and Parramata District Men’s Shed.

We anticipate that Bob will continue to atend our bi-monthly Members’ Meetings, TTTG Tool Sales and teach ‘Real Skills’ at the TTTG room at the Old Eastwood Town Hall. Look out for more of his articles in NEWS and his keenly priced ‘mass produced’ replica plane handles and hand-crafted burnishers.

We are indebted to Bob Crosbie for his contributions and 30 plus years of service to TTTG. I for one will always remember his auctions. Nobody can sell an old tool like Bob.

It is said that nothing is eternal except change and business will go on as usual at TTTG.

* TTTG is the Traditional Tools Group, established in 1992 as a not-for-profit group of like-minded enthusiasts interested in the history and preservation of traditional trade skills, techniques and tools, including hand tools, machinery and other old technologies.

Bi-monthly meetings typically feature a guest speaker or a panel talking on diverse topics related to tools, trades and technology. Real Skills workshops have been held every year since 2005. These popular workshops are open to all and designed to guide participants in developing their tool skills and learning and practising new techniques.

Membership of the Traditional Tools Group is open to anyone with an interest in traditional tools history, techniques and skills. Learn more at www.tttg.org.au