Tag: Save Fletcher Jones - The Terrier

fj-stories-website — A screenshot from the new Fletcher Jones stories website that is now live at www.fjstories.org.au and captures some of the many stories about the man, the factory, the gardens and iconic silver ball.

By Carol Altmann

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”]A[/dropcap]fter almost two years of collecting, organising and editing, some of the many, many wonderful stories about Fletcher Jones are now live on a new website.

The Stories From Our Community website – http://www.fjstories.org.au/ – is another tangible result of the Fletcher Jones stories project that started last year and involved collecting at least some of the stories from those who either remembered Sir Fletcher Jones personally, worked at the Warrnambool Fletcher Jones factory, loved the Pleasant Hill gardens or iconic Silver Ball tower, or maybe a bit of each.

They are stories from another time in which workers were valued as individuals, when customers were treated like kings and when quality – above all else – was what mattered most.

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They are also stories from people who did not work at Fletcher Jones, but who remember Christmas parties in the Pleasant Hill gardens, or being married there, or trying to fish the money out of the wishing well using a stick and a piece of chewing gum.

As project co-ordinator Julie Eagles explains, the website is a celebration and living tribute to not only the past, but the present, with the dilapidated Pleasant Hill complex being slowly brought back to life since its purchase by businessman Dean Montgomery in 2014.

“Since mid 2014, we’ve celebrated the sympathetic renewal of Warrnambool’s Pleasant Hill, the Silver Ball and Fletcher Jones Gardens by Dean Montgomery and the FJ Stories project has worked alongside the site renewal now taking place,” Julie says.

fj small ball — A mini Silver Ball used as part of a multi-media installation in 2005 at the back of the Fletcher Jones factory in Warrnambool. (Image supplied by Brenda O’Connor).

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”]T[/dropcap]he push to preserve the Fletcher Jones gardens, silver ball and parts of the factory began years earlier when local artists and community groups began to create works of art, share stories and even make movies that recognised the importance of the site to Warrnambool’s character.

At the same time, a group of dedicated volunteers led by Lex Caldwell kept the gardens alive while the factory continued to crumble around them.

By late 2013, the situation looked dire, with nobody seemingly prepared to take on the huge task of bringing the site back to full life. We wrote a story about it (and it is still one of our most popular), which drew upon a report by the Warrnambool Planning and Heritage Group, of which Julie is a member.

Shortly after, in early 2014, the Save the Silver Ball and Fletcher’s Gardens page started on Facebook and the community began to share its connections to the site – and the stories just kept coming and coming.

Everyone, it seemed, had a Fletcher’s story.

david-jones-at-factory — David Jones Jnr (left) and Brenda Anderton/McPeake sit in front of a photograph of them as children, taken at a 1972 FJ Staff Christmas Party in the gardens. Photo: Colleen Hughson/www.fjstories.org.au

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”]O[/dropcap]ne of those taking note was Dean Montgomery, who stepped in and bought the site with plans to create a Warrnambool Motor Museum, but who has since also spent a huge amount of money slowly restoring the gardens and factory to their former glory.

The Jones’ family has also reconnected with the site as a result of the community campaign and has funded much of the stories project, while also providing items from their personal collection of memorabilia and photos.

“The website is still being developed and there are still more stories and images to upload,” Julie says.

The site is organised into different themes and, a bit like a rabbit burrow, you can just keep digging deeper and explore all the nooks and crannies.

“Some of the themes currently have little or even no content, while others have lots to explore, learn from and enjoy already,” Julie says.

The website launch follows the unveiling of a story panel at the site last December, and a second panel will be unveiled at this year’s community picnic in the gardens on Saturday December 3.

fj-50s-copy — The late Sir Fletcher Jones whose legacy has driven the spirit of the FJ stories project. Original image from the Jones family.

[box]The FJ Stories Project will finish in December 2016. If you have a story to share, you can contact Julie Eagles directly at julie.eagles@bigpond.com The next Fletcher Jones community picnic is on Dec 3.[/box]

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Uncovered: Rena Jones’ lovely letter to the people

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Montgomery buys a slice of ‘Motang’ history

[box]We would like to thank Warrnambool artist Glenn Morgan for sharing these extraordinary images of the Fletcher Jones’ story with Bluestone Magazine. The images, given to Glenn by the late David Jones, capture the FJ manufacturing story from the early 1900s through to the 1980s. Here follows just a sample from the dozens of images provided to Glenn. You can return to that story here.[/box]

Opening 3 — Sea views: The grand opening of the Fletcher Jones factory at Warrnambool in 1948.

Between Mt Gambier and Penola 1923 — Just begging to be interpreted by Glenn Morgan: Fletcher Jones on the road between Mt Gambier and Penola 1923.

WW 2 Window III — A classic World War II window display in the Fletcher Jones Man’s Shop.

Truck 1920 — On the road in 1920: Fletcher Jones began his clothing empire as a travelling salesman.

Parade 30s - 2 — Scenes from a Fletcher Jones fashion parade in Warrnambool in the 1930s.

Trade Exhibition — The Fletcher Jones display at a Melbourne trade exhibition: and the models are real!

B ball Team 1946 — The Fletcher Jones basketball team in 1946. Do you recognise any of these faces? If so, Glenn Morgan would love to know!

Garden 1954 — Smaller than today, but radiant. The Fletcher Jones factory and gardens at Pleasant Hill in 1954.

WW2 window — Another ‘call to action’ window display in the Fletcher Jones Man’s Shop during World War 2.

Jan 1960 - 2 — Mad Men eat your heart out: an advertising image from Fletcher Jones in the 1960.

Window - 6 — What you can do with a well presented shirt…or several. The window displays in the Man’s Shop were as memorable as the clothing itself.

B Ball Premiers 45 — Premiers: The Fletcher Jones basketball team took the crown in 1945. Do you know any of these faces?

Window - 4 — Pure style. A striking display of men’s evening wear at the Man’s Shop.

Main Sewing Room — Heads down in the main sewing room at the newly opened Fletcher Jones factory, Pleasant Hill, in the late 1940s.

Minstrel Party 50s — Minstrel parties were quite common in the 1950s – Fletcher and Rena Jones are pictured in the centre of this staff photo from 1950.

Jack Grayson - Wbool Shop — A man identified as Jack Grayson outside the former Fletcher Jones shop on Raglan Parade, Warrnambool. The stylish shop unfortunately no longer exists.

MC room 1948 — Young migrants were among the earliest workers at the Fletcher Jones factory after it opened in 1948.

Xmas Part 1950 II — The annual Fletcher Jones’ Christmas party became legendary: here is a snap from the 1950 event. Do you recognise any of these faces? Most would now be aged in their 60s and 70s.

jones gardens — Picture perfect: the Fletcher Jones gardens, factory and silver ball looking at their best in the early 1970s. The ball is 50 years old next year.

[box]If you can help identify any of the people in these photos, please drop a comment in the comments box below and we can pass the information on to Glenn. [/box]

New website captures FJ stories

Fascinating images from FJ archive