Historical information

This folder of financial statements come from the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd and concern the years 1940 to 1965. 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, hardware and china and glassware. By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were opened in Cudgee, Wangoom, Nullawarre, West Warrnambool and South 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 store in Timor Street selling furniture and bedding.

Significance

This folder of financial statements from Swintons Pty Ltd is of interest and will be useful to researchers. The current Swinton store in Timor Street, Warrnambool is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the name Swinton associated with Timor Street business for 152 years, it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia.

Physical description

This is a cardboard folder or box (originally a small box containing carbon paper), detached at the spine and damaged in other areas. The folder has another folder inside which are two sheets of thick paper folded together. Inside this folder are sheets of financial balance statements of Swintons Pty Ltd from 1940 to 1965. These are mostly copies and contain typed material on foolscap –size sheets (one sheet is handwritten in black ink).