Family tradition continues at Walker Bros Timber & Building Supplies

The Walker Bros story started when brothers David and Alex Walker purchased a sawmill at Ourimbah Creek in September 1933. Times were difficult but by the late 1930’s the advent of trucks and tractors – instead of bullock wagons – changed the need for the sawmill to be located in the forest so the brothers acquired a site at Glennie Street, North Gosford – nearer the railway and with better living conditions for employees. In 1939 a new sawmill was established on the site and continues to be their base to this day.

During the 1940’s a generation of returned soldiers formed the core of the staff at Walker Bros, all working together to build their own homes and provide for their young families. In 1946 Alex Walker’s son, Peter, joined him in the mill and was later followed by his other son, Brian, whose main love was the forest work. During the next decade the business thrived and expanded into imported timbers employing close to fifty people at various times.

In 1961 David Walker sold his share in the business to concentrate on his love of farming. The ownership was now concentrated in the hands of Alex’s family with daughter, Kerrie, joining the team in 1967. By 1969 the business had outgrown its partnership structure and P&B Walker Bros Pty Ltd was formed with Peter Walker as Managing Director.

Peter and wife Marlene Walker’s son, Dean, continued tradition by joining the company in 1983 and is currently the Operations Manager.

Kerrie Guest, now Administration Manager, says that it is family values that are the backbone of Walker Bros and by sticking together they have kept the business running successfully through the toughest of times, including the massive fire which burnt most of their buildings and equipment to the ground in 1995. Within three working days it was business-as-usual, operating as best they could from a garage on the same site. She estimates it took ten years to return the business to its pre-fire days, although the downturn in the building industry has slowed business in recent years.

Commenting on the company’s family traditions, Kerrie said, “Keith Sparrow, our Inventory Manager is the third member of his family to work in our business. His father, Allan, commenced as a driver in 1951 and his brother, John, was the manager during the 1970’s. The Sparrow family has amassed a huge 97 years service to our company. “Another employee, Frank Pemberton, served an outstanding 55 years during which time his brother Alf and their sons all contributed to the success of our business,” said Kerrie.

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