Historical information

The Greatorex company came to Wodonga in August 1945 under the Cain Government decentralisation policy. It initially had premises in Beechworth Road, around the corner from Tallangatta Road (now Thomas Mitchell Drive). Due to expansion they later relocated to the corner of Tallangatta Road and Anne Street Wodonga in 1952. Greatorex had its main manufacturing plant in Melbourne, Victoria.

At their peak Greatorex Pty Ltd. which also operated as Supreme Surgical Hosiery Co., manufactured brassieres, swimsuits, elastic thread, surgical hosiery and employed 90 staff in Wodonga. The company which was operated by Thomas Greatorex with Mr M. P. Brain as Manager, also owned Fulflex Yarns Pty. Ltd. Fulflex produced elastic yarns to be used in the manufacture of garments at Supreme Surgical Hosiery.
In 1960, due to the increasing cost of freight charges for moving raw materials and manufactured goods to and from Melbourne, the company was forced to close down. Plant and machinery valued at over £30,000 was moved to Melbourne. Some personnel were given the opportunity to also transfer to the parent company.
In 2024, the company still operates as Greatorex Textile Industries P/L in Moorabbin, Victoria.

Significance

These images are significant because they document an industry which operated in Wodonga in the 1940s and 1950s.

Physical description

A collection of black and white photos of workers at the Greatorex / Supreme Surgical Hosiery Co. in Wodonga.

Inscriptions & markings

Names listed beneath one of the images.