A look at history: Goulburn Valley Ham and Bacon Factory. Source: Megan Walsh
It was a shock to many in 1999 when Stuart’s Foods closed its doors for the last time and 50 people lost their jobs. Times were tough and the company made the heart-wrenching decision to cease operations due to economic circumstances. It was the end of another Shepparton icon, which first began nearly 100 years earlier.
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The following history was taken from an article written by Sondrae Johnson for the News supplement Stuart’s 90th Anniversary in 1992.
Stuart’s Foods was established in 1902 (the year the Boer War ended) when Messrs P.F. Riedell and H. Dennis established a Bacon Factory in Mason St, Shepparton.
With the coming of irrigation to this region, pig-raising became a profitable investment for farmers and the new bacon factory became firmly established.
Cr James T. Stuart joined the firm of Riedell and Dennis in 1905 and later bought the company, trading as J.T. Stuart Pty Ltd until his death in 1936.
Family factory: Bacon factory staff, 1925. Source: Stuart family.
His sons Alan, Ivor, Donald and Murray Stuart then owned the company in partnership with their sisters Gwen, Maude and Olwyn.
The company traded as The Estate of the Late J.T. Stuart from 1936 until 1960 when Ivor Stuart sold his interest in it to his brothers and sisters and Mr Alan Stuart became managing director.
The company name then changed to Stuart’s Foods Pty Ltd, and Alan Stuart was at the helm until his death in 1973. At that time his widow, Mrs Merna Stuart, became chairman of the board.
In the 1990s Stuart’s board of directors comprised Mrs Stuart, her son Dr Colin Stuart and Mr John Hueston, who was the managing director.
The company was well known for its locally grown and produced goods, with a product range of more than 40 products in 70 packaging options covering a wide range of hams, bacon and smallgoods — all produced from locally grown prime livestock and manufactured in Shepparton at the Mason St plant. Approximately 20,000 pigs and 5500 cows were used to provide meat for smallgoods and the company’s wholesale beef operation each year. There were depots located at Leeton and Albury, and an agency at Wagga Wagga. “Stuart’s currently employs 70 local people and has a payroll in excess of $1.7 million — and that’s money which goes straight back into the local economy!” Mr Hueston pointed out.
Pigging out for Christmas: Sporting Globe advert for Stuart ham in 1939.
A few Facebook memories of Stuart’s Foods:
Lorraine Dickson
Best smallgoods in Australia. Their sausages have never been matched. Such a shame we lost it here.
Merle Forster
My dad made those snags.
Jennie Legge
Grew up with Stuart’s Smallgoods. Our family business sold their products. As children my brother use to call me a chub pack after the beef Devon chub packs. My dad’s fave snack was a Salada biscuit sandwiched by two thick slices of beef Devon. Stuart’s Strasburg was great too.
Paul White
I lived at 82 Wyndham St, right across the road from Marshall’s Corner, and my dad’s business remained there til ’94, so this sign was practically a daily view.
Family pride: Stuart family members at Marshall's Corner admiring the Stuart’s logo in 2013 — Bill Stuart, Daniel, Phillip and Robert. Source: Stuart family.
Peter Hooper
Done my apprenticeship as a butcher at the local supermarket and Stuart’s had a truck come around every Tuesday. Good products only overshadowed by the delivery rep, ‘Ivan’, probably gone now, but a really nice bloke.
Katie Williams
It was a great place to work. Great memories. And I still catch up with some of the workers!
Dookie Emporium
Geoff Wilson produced this sign.
Glenn Ralfy McPherson
I was working at Stuart’s when they closed the doors. Sad times.
Colin Knight
Great smallgoods and the best savs. Most footy clubs in the area used them. Had a thick skin so wouldn’t burst in the boilers.
Chris Preston
My dad used to buy ham at Christmas through Norm Alexander. Who I believe was a manager there many years ago.
Cathy van Gastelen
Best bacon and sausages ever. Was lucky enough to have a guided tour there once.
Scott McGurgan
My grandfather, Bob Jeffery, worked there for years.
Mark Thomson
Best saveloys, beef Devon and of course the Strasburg. Pity they couldn’t have continued. In the end I guess they couldn’t compete with the corporates.
