Parts of Morwell’s history worth recalling

By Leo Billington

Before we continue this month giving early Morwell menswear retailers their moment of historical fame, let us remember an important birthday - sending 101st birthday best wishes to the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, founded in 1923. Mickey Mouse debuted during 1928. Donald Duck was “born” on June 9, 1934, when first shown by the Walt Disney Studio.

Disney’s characters did manage to come into our community - for instance, the Morwell Town Talkies showed on Saturday night, November 23 and Monday night, November 25 "The Ugly Duckling" by Walt Disney. In 1951, on Saturday, May 12, a special matinee program at the Paramount Theatre in Buckley Street featured Walt Disney colour cartoons.

But, for now, back to menswear retailing in Morwell.

Porter Brothers took over from J D Morris early in 1908. Robert Porter was a close friend of J D’s and Margaret Porter, a sister, married J D whilst in Morwell. Margaret passed away in 1954. J D Morris left Morwell in May 1909, having sold his business to the Porter Brothers, Ernest and Robert. Ernest moved to New Zealand in about late 1914.

Ernest Porter continued in business as a General Merchant - advertising dresses and millinery as a specialty with Miss Fahey and Miss Evans having expertise in dressmaking and millinery. Men’s suits were made to measure from 35/-. Style and fit were guaranteed.

Robert Morrow Tulloch officially took over the Porter Brothers store early in August 1914. (Robert Porter’s daughter, Zilda was married to Robert Tulloch. Therefore, that corner building built by J D Morris “remained in the family.”

On Tuesday February 1, 1916, Tulloch’s store opened with a three weeks sale - bargains at specially cut prices. Then a family tragedy within the sale finishing - Zilda and Robert’s youngest child, 11-month-old Keith died and was interred in the Hazelwood Cemetery. The Tulloch family soon left Morwell for Melbourne and sold their business to Mr R Bacon who traded as part of state-wide Federal Supply Stores. R M Tulloch died at his Essendon residence on March 6, 1954.

At his official opening in mid-1918, Mr Bacon promised “the business will still be conducted by the present competent staff.” Four years later, J A Jenkins officially took over on Tuesday August 1, 1922.

This began the era of “Jenkin’s corner” - a well-known landmark in Morwell for a long time, well into the early 1960’s. Their April 28, 1949 advertisement showed a large combination of manchester goods, footwear, men’s wear, mixed with aluminium ware, crockery and groceries. Bags of broken biscuits - costing 3/- or 6/- - were a delight for kids, and available from Jenkins.

While the “Jenkin’s corner” maintained its prominence, there were other men’s wear retailers competing for local customers. Not sticking to chronological order, W A Lawson & Co., was “drawing attention to the public of Morwell” April 1932, with a shop in Commercial Road, Morwell. This business expanded beyond its inner Melbourne origin with shops in Warragul, Koo-wee-Rup, Trafalgar, Morwell and Bairnsdale. Here “suits could be made to order with extra trousers – free”. Prices ranged from 75/-, 95/- and 115/-.

However, about five years earlier, Arthur Green in Tarwin Street, was encouraging “well- dressed fellows” to make a good impression. His advertisements suggested men could not “make a good impression in shabby clothes.” Arthur looked for “men of brains.”

On April 10, 1922, Pascoe’s of Malvern, Melbourne set up in the Morwell Fire Station on a temporary basis selling “all drapery goods at lowest city prices; including ladies wear, men’s wear, and manchester goods.” This was their “one day sale.”

However, on April 28, 1893, an earlier, rather ambitious Mr J Yule announced he had moved into Murdoch’s Hotel where, it was suggested he “is almost giving drapery away.” By February 1894, Mr Yule advertised his clearing sale and “that as he is leaving the district, he will hold a clearing sale of drapers, etc., which will be sold at cost price in order to dispose of his stock by the end of the month.”

Mr Charles Graham Maxwell - widely known as C G Maxwell - set up shop in 1898 through his purchase of the drapery department (floor space that is) of John Hall’s Universal Emporium, corner of Commercial Road and Tarwin Street. C G was well liked and quite entrepreneurial - soon he was advertising by early 1903 that “heavy reductions are made on balance of summer stock” including men’s wear regardless of cost price.” His other catchphrase was “suits to measure a speciality.”

C G moved to Yarra Junction during 1923 and unfortunately died in an accidental fall on July 25, 1925. He was walking down some stairs leading through an open cellar door to speak with his neighbourly butcher friend, slipped and fell.

C G had sold out during 1923 to E Muir & Co. Muir & Co was the successor to John Hall and maintained their marketing until about 1931 as “The House for millinery, Manchester, ladies’ wear, boy’s and men’s wear, boots and shoes.”

By 1933, or thereabouts, J A Jenkins Pty Ltd had a significant share of the local men’s wear market. Basically, their extensive product range was offering far more than others who wanted to specialise. For instance, Jeffery & Co opened in Commercial Road, began advertising in the early 1930’s with “sensational values in men’s and boy’s wear.” Rowell Bros., located next to the Bank Australasia, had a tailoring business up to 1925 when it was purchased by H C Harding Pty Ltd formerly of The Block, Collins Street, Melbourne. Rowell & Johnson were tailors and mercers in Commercial Road from 1938 until their shop was sold in 1943 to local nurseryman, J Courtenay.

Again, editorial space has stopped. Next month, we’ll look at a pivotal time in Morwell’s retail sector when, in around 1925, Norman Sharpe’s Price Cutters business was established.