Looking Back
By Leo Billington
More snippets of Morwell’s history worth recalling
An urgent phone call to a local plumber was an instant reminder of just how invaluable this trade is to our modern lifestyles. A toilet was blocked - a solid mass of toilet rolls. What a mess!
A plumber arrived within 20 minutes of being called, speedy service at weekend rates.
However, one wondered what was it like years ago in an era when tinsmiths plied their trade, alongside being plumbers and/or iron workers. For some historians, a tinsmith was initially known as a tinker - derived from the word “tink”; that is to mend, repair by soldering or using rivets. A tinker generally worked with tin.
Morwell’s first tinsmith was like many other tinsmiths. In stature, in a fledgling settlement largely consisting of wooden buildings, Robert Alexander Hedley’s trade was equally ranked with a blacksmith and potter. Morwell had all three.
Born in Maryborough in 1859, Robert Hedley placed an advertisement in the Morwell Advertiser, Friday January 24, 1890 telling readers:
‘Mr. R. A. Hedley has started as a tinsmith, plumber and iron worker in Tarwin Street’.
His regular advertisements appeared through until at least 1898. He was a successful, albeit humble business person. He also immersed himself in community affairs, forming close business networks with other early business luminaries - William Richard Stephenson (saddler), John Rintoull (blacksmith), George Watson (newspaper editor) John Barton Hoyle (finance agent ) William Tulloch (business entrepreneur) and John Hall (retailer).
In May 1898, he was a signatory to a petition to the Morwell Shire Council urging it to seriously consider the Commonwealth Bill to accept an Australasian Federal Constitution. As treasurer of the local (June 1897) Queen's Jubilee Benevolent Fund, treasurer Robert played a major role in a successful fundraiser. Between 1896 and 1900, he was a trustee (ministerial appointment) on the Hazelwood Cemetery Trust. His appointment was endorsed by Morwell’s Presbyterian Church. Robert’s membership of the Morwell branch of the Australian Natives Association was widely applauded when the Hedley family left Morwell to live in Springvale.
A modest person, Robert once appeared as a witness in a magisterial case. On oath, he explained “I am a tinsmith.” Self-deprecating perhaps, nonetheless his August 1897 candidature for Morwell’s annual municipal elections recorded 235 votes, it was not enough to defeat already sitting Councillors Firmin (282 votes) and Kelleher (335 votes). This experience was explained away as “he has a bright future to be successful in the next elections.”
Two years later, Robert’s business was taken over by business partners, Lewis Samuel and Jas Bryden, trading as Samuel and Bryden - being tinsmiths and plumbers and “whatever customers required.”
Samuel & Bryden first advertised on October 21, 1898, then regularly to 1899 and, after the partnership was dissolved, Jas Bryden maintained his promotion through to about 1918. Jas was once a founding member of the Morwell Fire Brigade being its first Lieutenant. By this time, he had relocated from a small shop in Commercial Road to larger space in Station Street (approximately opposite the railway station).
Research indicates Robert Hedley and Jas Bryden enjoyed a competitor free tinsmith/plumbing market in Morwell and surrounding districts for many years. Jas retired late in September 1918, selling out to a new plumber, John Ferguson. John continued the promotion for such an essential service from 1918 to about 1922. In September 1922, Morwell born, returned World War 1 veteran, Clarence William Mitchell Smith took over.
Widely known as CWM (sometimes as Clarrie), his presence in town was handy in running a successful business. He was skilled in various trades - being taught by Jas Bryden, learning blacksmithing from John Rintoull and George Dayable. Clarrie learnt from the best.
Later, he spread his business acumen in the building trade and furniture removals. There was a period of employment with the Postmaster General Department (PMG) while being a staunch member of Morwell’s Fire Brigade. Being in business, Clarrie cultivated his presence through success as a track cyclist, angler and field shooting. He died early in December 1954, aged 60 years. CWM was born four years after Robert Hedley first advertised his business.
George Pentland seems to be the “follow-on” Morwell - based plumber. By mid-1923, he was offering “satisfaction guaranteed on all classes of work.” Windmills and tanks seemed to be a specialty.
Generally, Morwell’s plumbing sector became more competitive through the mid-1940’s and thereafter during a post-war building boom period.
One example, perhaps remembered by older residents was S J & Max Schumann, based out of 20 Wilson Street in Morwell. Their advertisements told readers about skills in solving sewerage problems - septic tanks mainly. Hot and cold water installations were becoming popular alongside slow combustion stoves. Schumann plumbing was a “licensed plumber.’
J R Clarke, in mid 1940, told everyone about expertise in hot water servicing, heating and ventilation, tanks, pumps, windmills and sorting out water supply problems. This business highlighted two invaluable aspects of advertising - being licensed experts able to solve sanitary problems and being registered as 1st class with the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works. Such credentials were new to Morwell.
To unblock a toilet several weeks ago, the plumber arrived in a modern 4 x 4 2024 model Toyota ute pulling a trailer full of plumbing goodies. Action was swift - a sewer suction apparatus on a long extension lead was pulled out. By a hand-held remote button device, a powerful vacuum pressure was created effectively dislodging large distant clogs. Time taken, 20 minutes. Superb service - at a weekend rate.
Metal water tanks made by a tinsmith? Do not bother, buy a plastic tank. These are delivered directly on-site by specialised road transport.
Let us remember Robert Alexander Hedley for a moment. Imagine what he would think now.
Postscript: Robert Hedley’s first advertisement was placed early in 1890. Just 14 years earlier, armed warfare between American Indian tribes and an American United States Cavalry Regiment took place in June 1876 - known as Custer’s Last Stand.