Many readers will be familiar with the popular drinks produced by Tarax.
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Contributed
The Moira Shire is large geographically but is in other ways a smaller municipality. Yet, it and its five predecessor shires have made significant contributions to Australian business.
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Three of Australia’s best known brands have had a connection with Moira and the shires of Cobram, Nathalia, Numurkah, Tungamah and Yarrawonga.
Many readers would recall Tarax soft drinks. This became a major national brand, yet its humble beginnings were in Numurkah.
The company was founded in Numurkah by George Albert Pethard. It commenced operations there in 1899, producing ales and stouts. Brands included Tarax Ale, Tarax Beer and Tarax Stout. The product lines included raspberry and lime juice cordials.
The company shifted its operations to Golden Square, Bendigo and later to Melbourne in 1937. Its lines expanded to include Ecks, Loys Frosty and Tee Vee.
It was acquired in 1972 by Cadbury Schweppes for almost $16m, a quite substantial sum. Its brands were very well known and included the famous Black Label Lemonade.
Andrew Lambros and Brian Margossis at the Shepparton Tarax Bar.
Photo by
Audrey Ash
George’s grandson Ken Pethard was still involved at the time of the takeover before he retired.
The second company is Coles. This company in 2023 had sales exceeding $40b and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Most readers would have shares in Coles, either directly or indirectly through superannuation or managed funds.
The Coles Group was founded by Sir George Coles, whose image is part of the Art on the silo at St James.
George Coles grew up in the small town of St James, which was in the former Tungamah Shire. He took over the St James General Store from his father. He later moved to Collingwood where the company GJ Coles and Co had its first store, expanding into the chain it is today.
Benalla's Tim Bowtell painted the St James silos which were officially opened in April 2019.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
Notably, the Coles brothers also went into the business, all eventually receiving knighthood. It was Coles who introduced Kmart into Australia.
The family comprised: Sir George James Coles, 1885-1977; Sir Arthur William Coles, 1892-1982; Sir Kenneth Frank Coles, 1896–1985, Sir Edgar Barton Coles, 1899–1981; and Sir Norman Cameron Coles, 1907–1989.
Coles went on to merge with the Myer Emporium, becoming Coles Myer in 1985. Coles Myer itself was taken over by Wesfarmers in 2007, and then divested by them, returning to a public listing in 2018.
Interestingly, through Sir George, its roots can be traced back to St James.
The third company, and arguably most important to the shire, was Murray Goulburn. Murray Goulburn was formed by local dairy farmers as a dairy cooperative.
It went on to become Australia’s largest dairy cooperative. Sadly, it ended as a cooperative and the business was sold to the Canadian dairy giant Saputo in 2018.
It was established as the Murray Goulburn Co-operative Company Limited after a meeting of farmers at Katunga in 1949. It established its first factory at Cobram, marking Cobram officially as the birthplace of Murray Goulburn. The company was formed in 1950 and the Cobram factory processed its first milk in 1951.
It became a major employer of locals and generated millions of dollars for the local economy. It also entered into a partnership with the Japanese firm Meiji.
Furthermore, it went on to expand to other factory sites in Victoria and to become a major Australian exporter.
There are a number of other successful business enterprises across the shire who are deserving of a mention. One of these would be RJ Cornish and Co.
Other successful businesses important to the shire operated across the river. One of these was the Brooks Grain business.
The Moira local government area is 4045 square kilometres with a population of about 31,000 as at the 2021 census. Yet, it has seen a number of huge achievements. There are many great businesses within the shire. The annual business awards are a treatment to this. I have highlighted here three businesses with links to Moira that have achieved national prominence.
