Blaze burns into their yesteryear By Narelle Coulter When fire damaged two buildings in Lonsdale Street in September the flames revealed hidden sections of Dandenong’s history. The fire peeled away modern hoardings, revealing the hand-painted signs on the original brickwork advertising the former tenants of the two old buildings - Judd’s Men’s Wear and Finlayson’s Pharmacy. According to records compiled by the Dandenong and District Historical Society, 277 Lonsdale Street was first occupied in 1870 by William Thomson who ran a newsagent. In 1912 it became a watchmakers and in the 1920s a drapery owned by PH Tullett. George Judd took over the building in 1932 opening Judd’s Men’s Wear. The Judd family later ran an electrical store there. Number 275 Lonsdale Street was first occupied in 1870 by storekeeper S. Smithson. In 1912 it became Couves Pharmacy. It remained a pharmacy under numerous different owners until the 1960s. On Wednesday 25 June 1952 the Dandenong Journal reported that Mr Finlayson had sold his business. “After having successfully conducted his well-known Lonsdale St. Pharmacy for approximately 20 years, Mr. A. G. (Bert) Finlayson has disposed of his business to Mr. Charles McKeon, of Beaumaris, an ex-Serviceman, who has previously conducted successful pharmacies at Wyong (N.S.W.) and Elsternwick. “Mr. McKeon takes over on July 1st, and as a young businessman will receive a cordial welcome. “He intends to take up his residence here as soon as possible.
A photograph of 275 and 277 Lonsdale Street from the archives of the Dandenong and District Historical Society.
Brendan D’Amelio and Bert Glinka in the old smoke room. 135075
These are the men from Uncles By Casey Neill
The building’s former tenants were revealed after a fire in September. “After a long and successful business career Mr. Finlayson intends to go into well-earned retirement and take things easy. “The many friends of Bert and his wife will be pleased to know that they intend to continue to live in Dandenong. “Next Saturday they will leave on a 3-weeks’ trip to Cairns - and may they strike better weather than we’ve been having here!”
Uncles Smallgoods is the last man standing in what was once a bustling foodie strip in Dandenong. “These shops along here in Thomas Street are unchanged,” co-owner Bert Glinka said. “Uncles Smallgoods, that’s been used as a butchery and for smallgoods for, basically, forever.” Uncles appeared in 1994. Mr Glinka and Brendan D’Amelio acquired the store in September 2013. They opened cafe Young Uncles next door to sell quality coffee, meals featuring the deli’s smallgoods and more. “Young Uncles used to be an old pet shop, then it was a video library,” Mr Glinka said. But back in the day, the strip was home to fruiterers, grocers and bakeries.
“We’re the last one’s left standing,” he said. “You can still get a taste of the old in our deli. We’re still manufacturing here. There’s the same old smokers out the back.” Mr Glinka and Mr D’Amelio had corporate jobs they hated and decided to sell Uncles sausages at a festival, to huge success. “We really believed in the product, we couldn’t stop eating that sausage,” Mr Glinka said. The elderly Uncles owners were looking to step back and put the duo to the test with a truckload of wood for the smoker before agreeing to hand over the reins. This year they launched a sausage bouquet for Valentine’s Day and were inundated with demand. Their online store is now going strong, they acquired a factory in Dandenong late last year to pursue the wholesale market, and opened cafe Sunny and Thor in Dandenong’s Harmony Square to great success.
William Matthews Funerals Paperbark Ward Community Safety Forum Tuesday, 24 October: 6pm-8pm Paddy O’Donoghue Centre
Before you decide, call Bill, Narelle, Beau or Melanie Matthews
9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED 24 HOUR SERVICE ALL AREAS
All interested residents are welcome to attend
Pre Paid Funerals N.F.D.A. Member
Large Chapel with after service facilities for refreshments
www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au
Greater Dandenong Paperbark Ward Councillors Roz Blades AM, Tim Dark and Heang Tak will host a Community Safety Forum which will be chaired by Mayor Jim Memeti and attended by the Attorney-General of Victoria and State Member for Keysborough Hon Martin Pakula and representatives from the Victoria Police
For more information please contact Jo on 8571 5230 or email mayorspa@cgd.vic.gov.au
12368468-RC42-17
G4195094BV-dp5Jun©FCNVIC
18-34 Buckley St, Noble Park
1124824-MB12-14
Gabrielle Williams MP
12368310-HM42-17
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STATE MEMBER FOR DANDENONG Shop 1, 8-10 Halpin Way, Dandenong VIC 3175 P: 9793 2000 E: gabrielle.williams@parliament.vic.gov.au www.gabriellewilliams.com.au WilliamsforDandenong
@GabbyWilliamsMP
Delivering for Dandenong Authorised by G Williams, Shop 1, 8-10 Halpin Way, Dandenong. This material has been funded from Parliament’s Electorate Office & Communications budget.
20 Dandenong Journal | Monday, 16 October, 2017
GREATER DANDENONG THEN AND NOW