Gulgong Freezing Works, Medley Street
Source: 'The National Estate' by Clem Lloyd, published 1977
Staff at Freezing Works on Barney's Reef Rd
Source: Gulgong Pioneers Museum
Back row: H Gossage, H Craft, J O'Connell, C Wheeler
Front row: C Coleman, F Ryan, W Hearne
NEWS ITEMS
1899 - STOCK MOVEMENTS
...1084 fat lambs, Nangunia to Gulgong Freezing Works. E. J. Gorman. Oct. 17.
Source: The Corowa Free Press (NSW : 1875 - 1954) Fri 20 Oct 1899 Page 2
1910 - THE RABBIT-FREEZING INDUSTRY
GULGONG.—The freezing works at Dunedoo, Capable of treating 50,000 pairs of rabbits per week, started operations on Monday.
1911 - [IMPROVEMENTS]
The Gulgong freezing works are too small to cope with the supply of rabbits and they have been closed down for six weeks in order to make extensive improvements.
1913 - New Gulgong Enterprise - Freezing Works Co. Formed
Quite a large crowd attended the public meeting at Gulgong last week to consider the advisableness of forming a rabbit freezing company. Mr. Wilson, a, representative of Messrs. Wilson and Flood, was present, and said his firm had agreed to take up 300 shares if the residents would subscribe to the remaining 1700. The firm also guaranteed shareholders 10 per cent. return on their money for 10 years, or, as an alternative, 7 per cent. on the money and one-third of the profits for 10 years, the firm to do all the financing and conduct the business.
The offer was considered a good one by those present, and it was unanimously decided to form a company of 2000 shares, payable 2/6 on application, 2/6 on allotment, and three monthly payments of 5/. Fifteen hundred shares were offered to the public, and nearly 500 were taken up by those present.
Provisional directors were elected as follows:— Messrs. Jas. Loneragan, J. J. Dowd, Jas Clark, J. F. Foster, C. Russell and J. Tuxford. sen.; bank, Bank of New South Wales: solicitors, Messrs. Monro King and Dowd; secretary, Mr. Wade Gudgeon.
A good deal of enthusiasm was evinced at the meeting, and the establishment of the company will prove of immense value to the Gulgong district, and be the means of finding employment for a goodly number of hands.
1913 - GULGONG FREEZING WORKS.
At a meeting of the provincial directors of the proposed Gulgong Freezing Works it was unanimously
decided to employ a canvasser to canvass the district for shares. Mr. Wilson, of the firm of Flood and Wilson, was present. The Chairman. (Mr. D. H. Spring) said that already 1000 shares had been applied for locally. Over 500 shares were still available. The agreement had been signed by. Messrs. Flood and Wilson whereby the shareholders were assured of 7½ per cent. on the money invested, and a third of the profits.
The capital of the concern was £3000, but the company only proposes to make an offer of £2000, and hold the remaining, 1000 shares for issue at any time if required. The firm of Messrs. Flood and Wilson, have stated that they will take one quarter of the extra shares over and above the £2000 should such be required.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 25 Sep 1913 Page 22
1913 - Gulgong Freezing Works to go Ahead.It has been definitely decided to go ahead with the establishment of freezing works at Gulgong. The local and district people of that neighborhood were asked to take up 1200 shares. This was readily, even eagerly, taken up. The first call of 2/6 per share has been made. As soon as the money is in a start will be made to erect a suitable, commodious building. Work is expected to start on the structure very shortly, and it is anticipated that the new works will be in full swing by March or April of next year.
1913 - Rabbits.
Mr. J. B. Hanslow is doing good business with his rabbits to the Gulgong Freezing Works.
1915 - GULGONG FREEZING WORKS.Says the Gulgong 'Champion': —
It is pleasing to note that under the supervision of Mr. Johnson; chief engineer for Messrs., O'Brien Bros., proprietors of the Gulgong Freezing Works, the engine boiler etc., are now on the site for erection. The foundation has been completed, and next week the power plant will be placed in position. Condensors and an electric plant will also be installed. Judging by the headway which is being made, it will not take the energetic engineering staff long before an up-to-date plant will be in working order, which will give an impetus to the town's progress and prove a great boon to the rabbiting fraternity.
1915 - Tenders WantedFOR excavating a DAM at Gulgong Freezing Works Site — about 1300 cubic yards. Further particulars apply at MUDGEE FREEZING WORKS.
1915 - [OPERATIONAL]
The Gulgong Freezing Works have started operations. They will be a big boon to the district.
1916 - GONG FREEZING WORKS.Works at the Gulgong Freezing Works was resumed on Wednesday last. A few weeks ago the company decided to reduce the price of rabbits. The rates were 7d and 2d. These rates the men refused to accept, with the result that the works closed down for a few days. The men were eventually offered 6½d and 3d, but refused. When the works opened on Wednesday last the old rate was re-established. Supplies came in pretty freely on Thursday last. The freezing industry has been greatly handicapped owing to the scarcity of water, for which the company is paying £14 per week.
1916 - BORE AT GULGONG.Messrs. O'Keefe Bros., the well known boring contractors, are putting down a bore at the Gulgong
Freezing Works. This will ensure a constant and adequate supply of water to the works.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 23 Mar 1916 Page 16
1916 - LOCAL BREVITIES
Messrs O'Brien Bros., who have been so successful with their freezing works at Mudgee and Gulgong, and have just opened other works of a similar character at Dunedoo and Capertee, are also interested in new freezing works, which are being established at Rockley, which is a small western township some distance off the railway line, but not far from Bathurst. From reports it would appear that the new proposition has every prospect of being as big a success as the venture on the Mudgee line. Apparentlv Messrs. O'Brien Bros, have an abiding faith in the future of the freezing, industry in this State. Personally we consider that it is only in its infancy, and that there is big money for those who, like the O'Brien family, get in early.
...
The proprietors of the Gulgong Freezing Works have had some bad luck in connection with their effort to obtain water on their property, by means of sinking a well. They had bored to a depth of 200ft., when the earth fell in at the bottom of the bore. As a result of this operations had to be temporarily suspended until the bore was re-sheathed. This work was apparently accomplished, and the plant was then set going again.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 13 Apr 1916 Page 29 1916 - LOCAL BREVITIESMr. Johnson, engineer in charge of the Mudgee and Gulgong Freezing Works, has gone to Sydney for a
holiday. He will be away some weeks.
1916 - Gulgong Freezing Works - To be EnlargedThe Gulgong Freezing Works have closed operations, and will not resume until September. The manager stated that the present building had been found to be too small to pack the large quantity of rabbits that were being received. The works had only been used for chilling purposes, and the rabbits were eventually sent away to Mudgee.
The advent of winter has obviated the necessity for chilling. The company intends purchasing rabbits at the railway station until about September next, when the works will be enlarged to double their present size. It is intended to instal new machinery and make the works capable of handling large quantities. The company, in making these alterations, has decided that they shall be of such a nature as to make the works capable of freezing the rabbits for export purposes, hence there will be no more necessity to rely on Mudgee to finally treat bunny for England's festive board.
1917 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
1917 - LOCAL BREVITIES
Operations have been resumed at the Gulgong Freezing Works, which had been closed down for some time, during which considerable alterations to the works, involving an expenditure of over £3000, have been made. Additional freezing chambers have been added to the works at a cost of over £1000.
1917 - [RE-OPENED]
Although the Gulgong Freezing Works under the management of Mr. N. J. O'Connell, only recommenced work a few days ago, they are doing a very satisfactory business.
1917 - [WYALDRA SHIRE COUNCIL]
O'Brien Bros., Ltd. requested the council to erect a crossing at the entrance to the Gulgong freezing works. — Referred to engineer.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 8 Feb 1917 Page 11
1917 - [WYALDRA SHIRE COUNCIL]
...The engineer ...also recommended that the work at the entrance to the freezing works be done, the Coy. having agreed to pay half-cost.
Source: Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent (NSW : 1887 - 1932) Tue 22 Jan 1918 Page 1
1918 - FREEZING WORKS CLOSE.MUDGEE, Tuesday. - The Mudgee Freezing Works Company, which controls the Mudgee Freezing Works, Capertee Freezing Works, and Gulgong Freezing Works, closed down on Saturday as a result
of instructions wired from Melbourne from Mr. D. J. O'Brien, managing director, who, with other freezing works representatives, held a conference with Senator Russell.
If is believed that the Government refused to enter into a contract to purchase rabbits on behalf of the Imperial Government, as all rabbits purchased last year have not yet been shipped to England, owing to the scarcity of shipping.
1918 - Gulgong Freezing Works - OPERATIONS RESUMED.The Gulgong Freezing Works resumed operations last week, and rabbits are now being received at the old prices 6d for large, and 3d for small. The rabbits will be skinned at the works and will be packed minus the head and feet, which has been found necessary in order to save shipping space.
Source:Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Wed 22 Jan 1919 Page 14
1919 - [GULGONG FREEZING WORKS]Mrs. M. O'Connell, mother of Mr. J. O'Connell, manager of the Gulgong Freezing Works, is seriously ill in the Blayney Hospital. She is 72 years of age.
The Gulgong Freezing Works are going at full pressure. Up to 1200 pairs of rabbits arc being received and dealt with daily. The prices paid are 7d (large) and 2d (small) a pair.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Sat 25 Jan 1919 Page 1
1919 - Gulgong Freezing Works - PROBABLE EXTENSION - MEAT TO BE FROZEN.
We hear from a reliable source it is more than probable that in a short while the Gulgong freezing works will be merged into a big industry, and one which must bring incalculable good to our district.
At the present time the works are too small to accommodate the large supply of rabbits received. Thousands of pairs of rabbits are treated weekly and more, we understand, might be received if the works were large enough.
This difficulty, however, promises to be shortly fixed up. The present owners, Messrs. Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd., are contemplating making big extensions to the works. The extensions will not only permit of thousands of rabbits being treated, but will make room for the treating of bigger stuff. Large stock will be purchased locally and from outside centres. The stock will be killed outside the three-mile radius and brought to the works and frozen. In order to carry on such big operations big extensions of the works will be needed.
It is satisfying to see that Messrs. Borthwick and Sons Ltd., are showing such commendable enterprise in deciding to utilise the local works for an extension of their frozen meat trade.
1919 - The Rabbit Industry. The Gulgong freezing works closed down a few weeks ago owing to the abnormal scarcity of rabbits, due to the drought. In a casual chat with Mr: J. O'Connell, manager of the works, we learned that recently he had travelled 140 miles in two trips through the district, and had seen no move than 20 rabbits. In Mr. O'Connell's opinion rabbits will not be plentiful again this year.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 12 Jun 1919 Page 8
VO - continue
1932 - GULGONG.
Freezing works have been opened here, and as the Mudgee freezing works, which were destroyed by fire some months ago, are not to be rebuilt, it is expected that Gulgong will become n centre for the rabbit industry.
1932 - MONEY IN CIRCULATIONThere should be an increase in the amount of money in circulation in Gulgong as the sleeper cutters last pay day received about £1500, and many men are engnged in trapping rabbits for the Gulgong freezing works, and in obtaining rabbit and fox skins. Rabbit skins are coming in in thousands weekly, but the price is very low. There are scores and scores of fox skins coming in and these average about 7/ each. These factors and the amounts of relief grants being distributed to the Town and Shire Council should ease the acute local unemployment problem.
1932 - FREEZING WORKSMr.
L. Norris, of Gulgong, purchased part of the plant of the Mudgee Freezing Works which were partly destroyed by fire. He also bought some of the building which was left. Mr. Norris hopes to start making additions to his present building next week. He will then have less difficulty in coping with supplies of 'Bunny' than what he has at present.
1932 - THE RABBIT TRADEThere is evidently a little money in rabbits. This week lorries operating on behalf of the Gulgong freezing works, established a service at Grattai and Windeyer, centres far removed from the base. It is confidently expected that a brisk business will reward the new venture.
1933 - RABBIT INSPECTOR'S VISIT
Mr. Wilson, rabbit inspector of the Mudgee Pastures Protection Board, has been doing a round of the Gulgong district. He states that the running of the Gulgong freezing works has been responsible for helping to keep 'bunny' in check.
1933 - MARKET FOR RABBITSThe Gulgong freezing works proprietor, Mr L. Norris, wants rabbits, for which he is prepared to pay 8d and 4d per pair. There should be good money in the game for energetic trappers.
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