Shepherds, stockmen and station hands in the Shepparton area were paid about $40 per annum during the 1840s, plus weekly meat, flour, sugar, tea and tobacco rations.
Greater Shepparton
Furphys in Shepparton - a Timeline 1842
J. Furphy & Sons founding father, John Furphy, was born June 17 in Moonee Ponds, Victoria.
1864
1873
When there were only 13 families living in and around the Shepparton area, at 31 years of age, John selected and bought 10 acres of land fronting Tocumwal Road (now prime city space in Wyndham Street). John quickly set up business as a blacksmith and wheelwright shop.
John Furphy establishes blacksmith and wheelwright business in Piper Street Kyneton. This business continues until John is enticed to move his business to Shepparton.
1889
In the late 1880s John was manufacturing a number of unique products and inventions including, Spike Rollers, Horse Works, Swingle Trees, Troughs as well as the now famous “Furphy Water Cart”.
1878
A cupola furnace was installed and the cast iron foundry section of the business began and became commonly known as “Furphy’s Foundry”. The implement and foundry works flourished. It employed about 38 men and boys with an annual payroll of £2500.
1898
John Furphy adds an inscription on the cast iron ends of his water carts. It reads: “Good, better, best, Never let it rest, till your good is better, and your better best.”
1893
John takes his two older sons, George and William into partnership. The business is called J. Furphy & Sons.
1903
1906
J Furphy & sons moved from Wyndham Street to a site opposite the railway station in Hoskin Street. This new factory incorporated a gas driven generating plant, making it one of the few electrically powered factories in Victoria and the first in the Goulburn Valley.
At the age of 60, John’s younger brother Joseph, a famous writer using the pen name “Tom Collins: publishes the Australian classic bush novel “Such is Life.”
1908
1914
WW I. Furphy Water Carts, used by the AIF, lead to the use of the word Furphy to describe rumours generated from discussions by troops gathering around the water carts for a drink.
The entire generating plant was temporarily moved to the Recreation Reserve in Shepparton, allowing the townsfolk to witness their first athletic carnival under lights.
1938
In 1938 the partnership was made a company and “J Furphy & Sons P/L” was incorporated. World War II begins the following year.
1925
John Seeley Furphy, son of George and grandson of the founder John, started with the business and took over most of the casting works in the foundry and supervised the assembly side. He worked closely with his cousins Fred and Albert looking after general production and administration.
1960
John (Jack) Furphy acquired the shares of his two cousins, Fred and Albert. Throughought the 1960’s he is progressively joined in the company by his sons Roger, Andrew and Timothy.
1950
Second generation Furphys William, George and Charles were bought out of the business by the third generation - Fred, Albert and John.
Children’s charity has never given up on Shepparton’s youth ALWAYS THERE… Some of Berry Street’s earliest photos.
SINCE its establishment in 1877 as the Victorian Infant Asylum, Berry Street’s core activity has been to protect children in need and strengthening families. Some of the organisation’s greatest challenges in its early years were high infant mortality and poverty, making one of it’s primary tasks to support unwed or
rejected mothers and their babies and to look after babies and children who were abandoned. Today, Berry Street is the largest independent child and family welfare organisation in the state, helping more than 14,000 Victorians each year. Berry Street chooses to work with children, young people and families with the most challenging and complex needs, including those for whom Berry
Street is often the last resort. Many of these children and young people have suffered great distress and significant harm growing up in families where violence, chronic neglect, substance abuse, mental illness and poverty have prevented them from having a good childhood. Berry Street never gives up on these kids because its vision is that all children have a good childhood,
growing up feeling safe, nurtured and with hope for the future. Operating in the Shepparton area since 1994, Berry Street has been providing a range of services including foster care, education, post-separation services, youth connections, community arts projects, case management and many activities that involve volunteers from our community.
GIVE JASON A HOME
Ten year old Jason* is in urgent need of a home. Jason is unable to live with his family and is currently living in a residential unit with Berry Street staff. Jason experiences high levels of anxiety, especially in social settings and also when there is change. This can sometimes lead to difficulty in managing his behavior. In order to control this he requires a stable and secure environment where boundaries and limits are firmly set and regularly adhered to. Berry Street is looking for carers who have a special blend of patience, commitment and humour. Foster carers must also have a strong belief in the worth of children and young people as well as being able to work as part of a team. Prospective carers need to be police checked, attend training and participate in a comprehensive assessment process. Carers are remunerated and could receive a non-taxable payment of up to $650.00 per week. If you would like to care for Jason or would like more information about becoming a Foster Carer for another child or young person, contact Berry Street on 5822 8100.
* Jason’s name has been changed to protect his identity
Berry Street believes all children should have a good childhood. For more information and to find out how you can help visit www.berrystreet.org.au or call 5822 8100. Page 8 – The Adviser – Shepparton’s 150 years of progress – September 2010