Arnott’s Biscuits and Columbia Gramophone Factory
Milton Kent aerial photo of Homebush c.1935-1942. Courtesy State Library of NSW
This Milton Kent photo of Homebush and North Strathfield dates from c.1935-1942 and shows two of the industries featured in the exhibition currently on display in Strathfield Library’s Ironbark Gallery. The large factory in the middle of the photo belongs to Arnott’s Biscuits who employed many thousands of local workers to bake and pack their famous biscuits between 1908 and 1997.
Courtesy Powerhouse Museum
Arnott’s Biscuit factory workers, Homebush c.1920s. Courtesy Powerhouse Museum
A young Arnott’s worker balances a pile of Arnott’s biscuit tins, 1938. Courtesy State Library of NSW
You can read more about the history of Arnott’s at: https://strathfieldheritage.com/industry-commerce/arnotts-biscuits-homebush/
The factory near the top right corner is Columbia Gramophone/His Master’s Voice, located on Parramatta Road and opened by the Governor of NSW, Sir Dudley de Chair on 14 October 1926.
Opening of the Columbia Gramophone Factory, Parramatta Road Homebush, 1926. Courtesy Fairfax
This photo shows the Governor being welcomed by the Managing Director, Mr H.A. Parker and other dignitaries. Later known as EMI Records, in 1926 the factory boasted 20 pressing machines capable of producing almost 11 million records a year. Employing 350 workers, it was also the only recording plant in Australia. Appropriately, the Governor’s opening speech was recorded on that day and can be heard at: https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/sounds-australia-2014
For more historical information about Columbia/HMV/EMI please see: https://strathfieldheritage.com/industry-commerce/columbia-grammophone-and-emi-studio-homebush/
Inspecting a new record at the Columbia Gramophone Factory, Homebush, c.1926. Courtesy Powerhouse Museum
Many of the cottages of North Strathfield in the Milton Kent photo still stand today, as does a large section of the Arnott’s factory – now the Bakehouse Quarter in George Street.
Learn more about these and other fascinating local businesses by visiting the Minding Our Business: Strathfield’s Industrial Heritage exhibition until 14 August. You will also find vintage Arnott’s biscuit tins and a 1950s HMV radio among the items on display.
Further details can be found at: https://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/play/ironbark-gallery/
To book for the talk on Sunday 31 July 2022 please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/talk-on-industrial-heritage-of-strathfield-exhibition-tickets-354877467057
By J.J. MacRitchie