Historical information

J. J. Leahy set up his retail electrical business in 1946 selling fridges, stoves and washers after commencing work wiring peoples’ homes in the late 1940’s. He developed the business into a large retail store and electrical contracting business which operated locally and Australia wide... He also ran Beattie and Phillips Funeral directors. The electrical business had several locations along Koroit Street before finally establishing on the south east corner of Fairy and Koroit Street. Jim died in November 26th 2008. The store is still run by his nephew Robert Askew. Jimmy Leahy was involved in the City council for a number of years and served as town mayor.

Significance

The minutes contained in this book especially the information written in the Managing directors reports, provides an overview not just of a business but of business practice and the changes which occurred in life over the 40 year period. It contains events such as the introduction of television, refrigerated dairies and dates for tenders for major building programs such as WIAE, East Warrnambool School, Town Hall.

Physical description

Large dark blue fabric and leather bound ledger. The index pages are A –Z but contain no entries. Pages 1- 108 are handwritten minutes of Leahy’s Electrical Industries Committee. Pages 109-114 contain typed pages re AGM. Remaining pages are blank. Time period ranges from March 28th 1951 to December 1986.

Inscriptions & markings

Signatures: J B Dwyer, W J Gleeson J J Leahy. Names included J.B. Dwyer, J.J. Leahy, M White, W.W. Croft, J.J. Walter, W Ross, J.J. Affleck, C.A. Richards, S J Wilson, J Croft, I.L. T Mahoney, P Conheady, J Meade.