Historical information

This is an advertising leaflet issued by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Co. This mill was established in South Warrnambool in 1910 with John Bennett the first Manager. The mill’s production increased during both World Wars with government contracts and wartime demands. In the 1940s the mill employed over 700 people. In 1968 the mill was sold to the multinational company Dunlop which in turn sold the business in 1982 to Onkaparinga Woollen Mill. In 1983 Onkaparinga was taken over by Macquarie Worsteds and in 1994 this group pulled out of Warrnambool. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill closed in 2000 after 90 years of operation.

Significance

This leaflet is of interest as an example of the advertising mechanisms produced by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill when it was a locally run large-scale business in the city. The business was a dominant one in Warrnambool for many decades, employing many local people. The factory itself was a well-known landmark in the city.

Physical description

This is a sheet of buff-coloured thick paper folded in two places to make a six-page leaflet. The front page has an aerial black and white photograph of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, two of the inside pages have 12 black and white photographs showing the processes in making woollen blankets and two other pages have advertisements for Warrnambool blankets and dress suiting material. Inside the folder is a sample piece of pink blanket with a card in red and cream colouring showing the factory’s guarantee. The sample has been glued to the paper. There is evidence of silverfish damage on both the blanket sample and the paper.

Inscriptions & markings

‘With the Compliments of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Co. Ltd.’