Steve Wood’s journey to recovery since his tractor accident in February 2017 has been huge … one step at a time, often painful but also positive as he can now move around, slowly, on crutches.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“The accident turned life on its head,” the Macksville mechanic said.
“I’ve come to grips with it now and I am a lot stronger than when I first came home but I still have a way to go.”
And it is for this reason, so Steve can concentrate on his rehabilitation, that he and his wife Robyn have decided it it time to close the doors of their business of 32 years, Steve Wood Brake and Exhaust.
“I started with a toolbox and a few people who wanted me to fix their cars!”
Since the accident Robyn and mechanic Pete Williams have kept all the wheels turning but Robyn admits it has just got too hard.
“Pete and I have been doing it for almost two years and it is time to stop,” Robyn said.
“The business has been on the market for 18 months but without a buyer, we will now shut the doors on December 21.
We need to concentrate on Steve’s rehabilitation, on our farm and the house – there is a lot of catching up to do
- Robyn Wood
Robyn and Steve can’t thank family, friends and the community enough for all the support that has come their way since the accident.
“It was incredible – the money raised by the community and the GJ Kennedy cattle sales helped me get to Sydney regularly for the 18 months Steve was there,” Robyn said.
“Stephen’s sister, Kerry, my dad Cliff, plus Ross and Belinda and Johnny and Angie and our girls – Jessica, Lauren and Sophie, have all been invaluable, not to mention all those friends who have mowed the lawns and trimmed the hedges for months.
“We are so very grateful to everyone … and of course our customers, who have supported us over the years.”
For his part, Pete, is finishing up his job of 24 years: “I’m not sure what I want to do yet –I’ll take a break first over Christmas.”
The business story: Steve did his apprenticeship at Macksville Radiators. He and mates, Ken Ainsworth and Jim Smith started out as Eastland Brake and Exhaust in 1980. In 1987 Steve went out on his own, based at Hardge’s Garage for a year, then at the Macksville Industrial Estate before moving to the West St site, where he has been for the last 24 years.
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
