Historical information

Belvoir drinks were marketed by Stephens Bros. They established their business in Wodonga c1938, having taken over the aerated water and drinks business previously operated by Messrs. E. Bartel and E. Clark. Bartel and Clark had purchased S. Mason Cordial Company from Samuel Mason Jr. in 1920. Samuel Mason Sr. began a bakery and aerated water company c1857. Stephens Brothers was operated by Lindsay, Donald and William Stephens. In 1947 they manufactured their own cement bricks to build a new factory in High Street, Wodonga. Over time they operated under various names including the Wodonga Cordial Company and Belvoir Wodonga Cordial Company. In 1938 their output of aerated waters was 100 dozen bottles a day but by 1948 that had doubled. In 1949 they also established a wood yard at their High Street premises to provide additional income during the slower winter months. In 1966 the company was purchased by the Tarax Ale Brewing Co. with Lindsay Stephens staying on as Company Manager.

Significance

These artefacts has local significance as they are representative of a well-known Wodonga manufacturing business.

Physical description

2 different sized bottles for Belvoir soft drink. Both bottles feature the blue brand on one side and information related to manufacture and contents in white print on the opposite side. The larger bottle holds 26 fluid ounces and the smaller one holds 13 fluid ounces.

Inscriptions & markings

On front: An oval shaped name "BELVOIR" surrounded by leaf design with white text "The seal of quality" above the oval and "A Flavour for every taste" beneath the name.
On opposite side in white text: "MANUFACTURED BY/ WODONGA CORDIAL CO./ WODONGA/ PRESERVATIVE ADDED / ARTIFICIALLY COLOURED/ NET CONTENTS 19 FL OZ / PHONE WODONGA -39.