Quote:
Originally posted by ron
Hi Keith.
Yes seems like a good idea I am in
Ron
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Just as well I filmed Hughes as they disintegrated and interviewed Alex before Hudsons closed forever.
For those who don't know... these were two wonderfully anachcronistic institutions of Melbourne from the 1930s which survived to the end of the century. Hughes Trading started as a car wrecker in the 30s and at the end of the war became the successful tenderer (along with R.H. Grant who were scrap merchants) for all the Australian B-24s (minus engines) plus about 100 Beauforts and sundry Ansons and other aircraft at Tocumwal.
They spent around three years dismembering the bombers and bring whatever they thought useful back to the yard at Coburg to build all sorts of useful things for farmers such as trailers and air compressors.
Hudsons Stores specialised in Army Navy and Airforce clothing as well as thousands of other cast-off machinery and odds and ends, run by a couple of entertaining if grumpy brothers, while Hughes was more of a dynasty.
Back in the 70s it seemed they would go on forever.
I was fortunate enough to get there before the bitter end, and in the case of Hughes documented the process of clearing the 4 acre yard. It was a fascinating, wonderful time tinged with the sadness of a lost era.
I'm sure this scenario was repeated in many cities around the world. I wonder whether any of these institutions have survived into present times.