The following is from my father (Vic Innes) memoirs. My father found me a job working with Mr. Collis Dyason at the Mildura Co-operative Fruit Co. Ltd. The Co-op as it was mostly known was a Growers Co-op with Branches at Irymple, Merbein, Curlwaa, Coomealla and Mildura. Each of these branches consisted of Dried Fruit Packing, Citrus Packing, Engineering Department, and a Goods Trading Store. The Coomealla Branch was built just after the war, and the Curlwaa Branch reduced to only a Goods Trading Store. All produce packed by the Co-op, Dried Fruit, Citrus and By Products was packed under the Trademark of “Padlock Brand”. The general manager of the Co-op when I started work there, was Mr. D.C. Winterbottom, generally known throughout the Industry as Dee Cee, but affectionately known by the workers at the Co-op as “Old Frosty Bum”. When he retired William Victor Ford became the General Manager. 

There was also a section known as By Products which was Col Dyason’s biggest interest, and this is where my job was to be. By Products produced Tomato Sauce and Soup, Jams of every conceivable description, Marmalades, Cordials, Canned Fruit, Mixed Peel, Jelly Crystals, Canned Citrus Juices and Worcester Sauce. Probably its best products were Tomato Sauce, Padlock Marmalade, Cordials and Worcester Sauce. These products were manufactured from locally grown produce and probably had the potential for expansion. The Peaches, Pears and Apricots which were canned were mainly grown in the Curlwaa area, Curlwaa eventually reverted to Citrus growing. Most of the Tomatoes for the sauces and soups came from the Robinvale and Euston areas, which have now changed to grape production.

In late March of 1952, there was a real upheaval in Town Shed. Col Dyason left the Co-op. I don’t think I was ever told the reason, nor did I find out. I can only imagine what happened. Bill Ford had just taken over as General Manager, and I assume there must have been friction either with Bill Ford or the Board of Directors. Anyway, Col Dyason left and with him went the recipes and formulas of By Products. Bill Ford came to me and told me that I was to take over the running of By Products. I informed him that I was getting married on the next Saturday 5th April, and could not do so immediately. He told me to carry on with my plans, go on my Honeymoon and things would be sorted out when I got back.

When I returned to work, I had to take over the running of By Products. Col Dyason had already started preparing to set up his own manufacturing business, in opposition on the corner of 10th Street and Pine Ave. A couple of the regular employees had gone with him, including his son Jim Dyason, who had been in control of the recipes and formulas of all By Products manufacturing. Fortunately, the Foreman, Ernie Ambrose and the Cook, Norm Hahn were still with the company but did not know the recipes etc. However, somebody remembered an old Cook who had been with the Company. A quick trip to Bridgewater to see Fergie Wass, and we returned with most of the information needed. Herb Hassall who had worked at By Products for some time and had some education in Chemistry took over the preparations of formulas and recipes.