Bill Roberts

This plaque is located at 53 Curdie St.

Treasures in an old green shed
The Shoeman of Cobden
Blacksmith’s shop is part of another era

Bill Roberts’ blacksmithing career began as a 16 year-old in 1927 when he was apprenticed to coachbuilder and undertaker, Thomas Webb. This meant he learnt his trade in the Depression years – he earned 15 shillings a week. After his blacksmith training, he got through the Depression by taking on another apprenticeship – as a farrier.

In 1943, he inherited the business – both blacksmith and undertaking – when Mr Webb died.

Apart from shoeing horses as a farrier, much time was spent as a wheelwright, repairing milk wagons, jinkers and buggies. A giant wheel-horse was the basic equipment used to restor and repair wheels that came from as far away as Hamilton, Geelong and Melbourne. Early on, Bill shod working horses and, later, trottters, racehorses and ponies.

The brick-based forges and chimney used until Bill retired were the originals when the shop was established at the turn of the century. But the hand-pumped bellows were eventually electrically-operated. Bill believed the electric welder killed blacksmithing bu the bore no grudge against modern technology. He just love the old technology.

Bill believed a farrier had to be good-tempered and have a love for four-legged animals. It was impossible to fit a horse shoe without handling the horse carefully,measuring for size and making the fitting.

Over the years, the business employed three apprentices – David Ditty, Anthony Ryan and Des OKeeffe who is still shoeing horses today. Even in 1977, Bill was shoeing fifty horses weekly.

In 1984, the undertaker’s parlour, next to the smithy’s shop, was sold to Keith Carbines from Colac. Bill’s handicraft did not extend to the carpentry required to construct coffins. Made of imported meranti, they were brought in from Melbourne. The undertaker’s premises were previously occupied by Rix Brothers’ Drapery.

Bill, who loved rifle shooting and bowls, was the eldest son of Joseph and Eliza (Dunford). Eliza’s mother, Annie Rugman, was one of the early settlers of Cobden. Our legendary blacksmith married Hannah (Rantall) and they had five children – Wilma, Shirley, Gwenda, Graeme and Trevor.