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Beverage manufacturersIndustry

Lashings of Ginger Beer!

By May 25, 2010August 6th, 2013No Comments

Great interest is expected in Orange and District Historical Society's next 'Made in Orange'meeting, on Wednesday, May 26, which will focus on the local manufacturers of soft drinks and aerated waters. Many local families were involved in the industry and relics of its hey-day can be seen in collections of fascinating cordial and ginger beer bottles.

George Weily is believed to have been the first manufacturer of cordials and ginger beer in Orange in the 1860s. He had been a policeman, then a hotelier in Orange in the 1850s before opening his factory. Others mentioned in 1865 were Richard Bates and Henry Windred.

By 1872 two other cordial manufacturers were listed: Wynne Brothers operated the Pioneer Steam Aerated Water and Cordial Manufactury in Summer Street. J Parker had the Phoenix Aerated Water and Cordial Manufactury in Anson Street. These were followed by names such as Wynne and Smith, W J Stabback,Butler and Barrett,(1881), Barrett's, W H Brown, Lindsay's, Weily and Heavner, Sharpe Brothers Davis and Potter, and Davis and Mayfield. The last two manufacturers were Weily Brothers and Mayfield's.

Guest speaker will be Ron Gander, who has been a bottle collector and historian for many years. He will talk about the evolution of soft drink and ginger beer bottles with illustrations from his interesting and colourful collection.It is hoped there will also be contributions from the Brown, Weily, Sharpe,Mayfield and Barrett families.

The meeting will take place at the Gladstone Hotel function room at 7 for 7.30pm. There is a small charge of $3 for members of Orange and District Historical Society and $5 for non-members, to cover costs. Light refreshments will be served.
If you have any inquiries or would like to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Phil Stevenson on 6362-3257, mobile 0402 412 188 or email ibiswines@bigpond.com