The Wonthaggi Cotton Mills operated in May 1958. The government and Wonthaggi businesspeople had each contributed 15,000 Sterling pounds to have the mills established, in line with the government's efforts to decentralize secondary industries. Mr Richard Best attended the opening.Black and white photograph of the front office of the de Stoop and Best Aust Pty Ltd cotton mill in Wonthaggi Victoria.de stoop roger, best, dick, weaving mills, de stoop and best, aust pty ltd

Richard Best was an Australian Textile industry agent and Businessman. While travelling in Belgium he contacted the de Stoop family, textile manufacturers, whose business had been closed down by German occupation after the 2nd World War. They took up Dick Best's offer to relocate and join with him to set up a textile factory in Australia. Land was purchased in Blackburn North and when the de Stoop and Best Aust P/L traded, Dick best was in charge of marketing their products.2 Black and white photograph of the head and shoulders of Richard Best. He has a pair of glasses in his right hand(on smaller photocopy) Mr Dick Bestbest, richard, weaving mills, de stoop and best aust, p/l

Roger de Stoop came to Australia during the Second World War when the de Stoop spinning & weaving factory in Belgium was closed during the German occupation. He had previously met Dick Best, an Australian who wanted to establish a textile factory in Australia and in 1950 they built a factory at Blackburn North importing the weaving looms and many of their skilled workers from Belgium. Housing for the workers was built near the factory.Black and white photograph of Belgian family groups in front of one of the houses erected for the de Stoop workers. Roger de Stoop is in the centre of the photograph in a dark suit and tie.de stoop, roger. de stoop aust pty ltd. de stoop and best textile factory. weaving mills. belgians in australia