As the second largest employer in Orange the woollen mills played a very big role in the economic and social life in Orange. Email/Electrolux was the largest employer though established at a later date.
On Wednesday night (22 September) at the Gladstone Hotel, past employees will give an account of their experiences many of them over a long period of years. The main speakers will be Kate Malloy Armitt who was a textile examiner in the final inspection section and David Huck who was foreman in the weaving room. Jack Brown (born 1921) can remember the mill being built in 1925 and has a recording of the final blast of the Mill steam whistle when it closed in 1987. The meeting is the fourth in the Made in Orange series being run by the Orange and District Historical Society.
The mill was established in 1925 by Amalgamated textiles Australia financed by a group of large woolgrowers. There were sister mills in Albury and Goulburn. The name was changed to Macquarie Worsteds in 1957. The Goulburn mill closed in 1960 and with the closure of the Orange mill in 1987 only the Albury mill remains .There are joint venture operations in China.
With a peak employment of over 200 people the mill affected the lives of so many Orange people. Many of course are still alive today .There were many specialised areas of work and some spent a lifetime working there. The meeting will take place at the Gladstone Hotel function room on Wednesday, September 22nd at 7 for 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome. There is a small charge of $3 for members of Orange and District Historical Society and $5 for non-members, to cover costs. Light refreshments will be served.
If you have any inquiries or would like to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Phil Stevenson on 6362-3257, mobile 0402 412 188 or email ibiswines@bigpond.com
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS :
Wednesday 27th October – Limestone Caves Fossils and Marble deposits of the Orange district Ian Curtis and Dennis Marsh Gladstone Hotel 7pm
Sunday 31st October – Cadia – The big picture – An all day seminar at the Lucknow hall ,four speakers ,Morning tea and lunch $30 9.30 -4.30 Bookings essential at Book City 230 Summer st. 6369 1333. Numbers limited
Sunday 7th November – Marsden Orange Country Fair Orange Showground
Saturday 13th November – Goldrush- the true story-Millthorpe Museum
Sunday 14th November – Goldrush- the true story -Millthorpe Museum both days and Cadia mines open day Sunday only -buses leave from Millthorpe Museum
Wednesday 17th November – Orange in the Air – aviation – Max Hazelton Gladstone hotel 7 for 7.30 pm