Historical information

These documents relate to the sale of land in Merri Street Warrnambool in 1959 by

Swintons Pty Ltd of Warrnambool. The buyer of the land was George O’Grady, a

Warrnambool baker. The land sold for £4000 and there was a shed on the land (called

the ‘Office’) which George O’Grady indicated he wished to be included in the sale.

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

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

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

Timor Street Warrnambool, selling groceries, hardware, china and glassware. 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 died 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 seeds,

produce and hardware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding shop in Timor St Warrnambool.

Significance

These items are of some interest as being connected to the Warrnambool business of

Swintons Pty Ltd. They will be of interest to researchers. The current Swinton

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

name Swinton associated with businesses in Timor Street Warrnambool for 152 years

it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia.

Physical description

The items here relate to the sale of land by Swintons Pty Ltd., Warrnambool.

.1 These are three pages of white paper with typed material, a lawyer’s signature in

blue ink, one green stamp and a sketch of the land location.

.2 This is a sheet of thick paper containing a plan of the land sold. The paper has

printed material and a sketch of the land with part of it coloured in pink.

.3 This is a small piece of paper torn at the bottom right edge. It has handwritten

material (a letter) in blue ink.

Inscriptions & markings

.2 ‘Plan of Survey of Part of Crown Allotment 18 Section 3 Township of

.2 ‘Plan of Survey of Part of Crown Allotment 18 Section 3 Township of Warrnambool Parish of Wangoom County of Villiers’

.3 ‘Tuesday Dear Mr Swinton I am writing to say that I would like to have the

‘Office’ Thanking You George O’Grady’