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90 Years of Serious Fun

Join us as we celebrate nine decades of bringing hobbies to life.

  • 1935
    A Humble Beginning
  • 1946
    Hobbyco Gets Its Name
  • 1950s–1980s
    The Golden Years
  • 1990s–2000s
    A New Generation
  • 2010s
    Growing with the Community
  • 2020s
    Legacy Meets the Future
  • 2025
    90 Years of Serious Fun

1935 — A Humble Beginning

  • Hobbyco started in Chatswood as a small woodworking and model-making business run by Robert Lowe.
  • Produced balsa wood airplane kits under the name K-DEE.
  • Moved to George Street in 1938 and began selling Hornby, Lionel, and early aeromodelling supplies.
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1946 — Hobbyco Gets Its Name

  • The Model Flying Company became Hobbyco Pty Ltd.
  • The new name reflected the expansion beyond aircraft models.
  • Postwar hobby demand grew, and Hobbyco grew with it.
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1950s–1980s — The Golden Years of Hobbies

  • Expanded product lines to trains, slot cars, and crafts.
  • Launched Australia’s first hobby mail-order catalogue.
  • Opened the George Street flagship store in 1986.
  • Became a national destination for collectors and builders.
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1990s–2000s — A New Generation

  • Began importing Bandai GUNPLA in 1997.
  • Became the official Bandai distributor for Australia and New Zealand in 2001.
  • Opened additional stores including Rhodes and Macarthur Square.
  • Supported growing hobby communities in-store and online.
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2010s — Growing with the Community

  • Hosted Australia’s first Gunpla Expo in 2018.
  • Won Hobby Retailer of the Year in 2012.
  • Celebrated 80 years in 2015.
  • Expanded workshops, community events, and collector meetups.
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2020s — Legacy Meets the Future

  • Marked 85 years with new store openings and a stronger online presence.
  • Expanded national event participation with Bandai Namco.
  • Opened Liverpool store and relocated head office.
  • Continued to build a growing hobby community across Australia.
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2025 — 90 Years of Serious Fun

  • Celebrating 90 years of Hobbyco.
  • Hosting Australia’s first THE GUNDAM BASE Pop-Up World Tour.
  • Expanding national event presence, including Avalon Airshow, SMASH!, Supanova Brisbane and more.
  • Honouring nine decades of hobbyists, collectors, and builders.
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A Conversation with Big Mike — 90 Years and Counting

Mike Wall, Hobbyco’s Managing Director, sits down to reflect on the store’s humble beginnings, the community that’s grown around it, and the future of hobbies in Australia.

Celebrate With Us

#MyHobbycoMemory

We wouldn’t be here without our incredible community. Share your favourite Hobbyco memories using #MyHobbycoMemory on social media for a chance to win $90 gift certificates to spend in-store or online!
Join the Celebration

90 Years of Hobbyco

Keep the celebration going and explore our current hobby deals — from timeless classics to modern favourites.
See What’s On Sale
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