Historical information

This certificate would have been used in the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty

Ltd. in the 20th century. It is a certificate that, when filled in, would have been given

to anyone who had worked for some time as an unapprenticed tradesman’s assistant.

William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William

Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool district, erecting

many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a

store in Timor Street, Warrnambool, selling groceries, china, glassware and hardware.

By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were

opened in Wangoom, Cudgee, Nullawarre, South Warrnambool and West

Warrnambool. After William Swinton’s death his son Robert became the first

managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split, with George

Swinton and Sons selling clothing, furnishings and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd

selling hardware, seeds and produce. Today the Swinton family still operates a

furniture and bedding store in Timor Street.

Significance

This certificate is of minor interest as an example of a form used by businesses such

as Swintons Pty Ltd to give to employees leaving the business. The current Swinton

business in Timor Street, Warrnambool is the oldest family business in Warrnambool

and, with the name Swinton associated with Timor Street businesses for 152 years, it

is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia.

Physical description

This is a sheet of buff-coloured paper with printed black lines and printed headings.

The sheet is unused and slightly bent.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Certificate of Employment as an Improver’