Merinda meatworks (Bowen)
The Bowen Meatworks, also called the Merinda Meatworks or Bowen Freezerworks was an important business to the foundation of the economy of the local area since 1894.[1]
It was started as the Bowen Meat Export and Agency Co. as part of Australian parliamentary plans to grow the Australian economy by exporting meat.[1]
1932 the Meatworks was acquired by Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Australasia), Ltd., who's business supplied British Army meat contracts since 1923 of 6000 tons of frozen beef yearly.[2]
Peak processing peak was 58,500 head in 1958.[1] The meatworks was affected by union action and strikes and closed overnight in 1960's.[1]
The meatworks closed in 1996/1997 as part of industry rationalisation.[1]
History
In the 1890s the export trade of meat was earmarked for Australia's economic growth. Parliament developed “The Meat and Dairy Produce Encouragement Act” which allowed for establishment of meatworks at Bowen and other places in Queensland.
In 1894 operations were started by local cattlemen under the Bowen Meat Export and Agency Co.[3][4] The meatworks employed 200-400 men from the local area and processed an average of 15,000 cattle per annum, the best year being 30,000 head. In 1905, Bergl Australia acquired the plant, at the time known as Merinda. See picture from 1906.[5] In 1922, the Meatworks was able to process 150 bullocks per day.[6]
In 1931, Bergl had installed modern machinery. In 1932 the meatworks was purchased by Borthwick's as Thomas Borthwicks and Sons with the Intention of commencement of export operations (after being idle for sometime).[2] Borthwicks had obtained prominent army contracts for meat supplies in 1923 which was the bulk of the war office's yearly contract (6,000 tonnes for home command). In 1933, Borthwick & Son purchased the meatworks, rebuilding it and making extensions.[1]
In 1941 the factory had around 300 employees and was able to process 376 cattle a day for export.
A disaster happened at the plant when 800 tonnes of stored meat were destroyed in a fire. The oil stove used to heat bitumen (which sealed the cork insulation) caught fire.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Bowen meatworks". Australian Abattoirs. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b "PURCHASED BY BORTHWICKS". Brisbane Courier. 1932-11-28. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Turnbull, Paul. "Bowen Meat Works - Corporate entry - Dalton's Sources for North Queensland History". www.paulturnbull.org. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "THE BOWEN MEAT WORKS". North Queensland Register. 1895-09-25. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "Bonzle: Merinda Meatworks, 1906". www.bonzle.com. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "BOWEN-MERINDA MEATWORKS". Brisbane Courier. 1922-08-11. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
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