The Churches Family
The involvement of the Churches Family from Kyabram in the establishment and management of the Cannery was quite significant.
Barry Churches grandfather Frederick Churches (b.1875 - d.1955), a foundation director was appointed campaign secretary and as such was responsible for all the sale of the original shares. His father Leonard Churches (b.1902 - d.1992) was the longest serving Director from 1939 to 1955 and again from 1957 to 1963 marking a period of 22 years .
Barry's mother Violet Churches - née Holden (b.1911 - d.1981) was the first office girl employed by Charlie Crichton the first secretary of the Cannery.
Leonard and Violet met at the cannery and the rest is history...
It was through the Churches family local history that Barry initiated the idea to form a small group of local residents to produce a book celebrating the centenary of the Kyabram Cannery and an official launch of the publication to be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022.
For more details, go to :
The Kyabram Cannery Centenary Committee and Authors
Photo Credit: Kyabram Free Press Inset Top Right: Sandra Brown and Nicole Fraser
Barry Churches (President)
Third Generation Fruit Grower, Barry's family were very involved in the wider fruit industry within the region.
Marg Richards
Marg was born, raised and settled in Kyabram and worked in the cannery office about 1979-82, then again in 1999-2004 - when the cannery was bought out by SPC. When the cannery was in full production, Marg worked several seasons on the fruit lines, between permanent jobs.
"Many young women and mums would work the afternoon shift. We could do our day jobs, finish then start the afternoon shift at 5:30pm through to 2:00 am. This was a great way to supplement the family income and buy needed items. There were many lifelong friendships formed, both in the office and the factory."
Pauline Laidlaw
Pauline has many connections to the Kyabram Cannery: Leaving school in 1958. Pauline worked for one season on the canning line, then 8 years in the head office, after the birth of her 2 children, another 2 years in the factory office.
"My late husband Wally Laidlaw started in 1958 as an apprentice, completing 50 years' service as a fitter and turner in the can shop and factory. His father, (Wally senior), worked as an engineer from 1940, living in the mud-brick home just inside the cannery gates. My son Stewart was employed from 1985 until 2015, becoming a production manager.
My brother-in-law Jack Evans was a fruit supplier to the cannery and served on the Board.
My sister-in-law Elizabeth MacKenzie and her husband Mike were seasonal workers for many years in the 50s and 60s..
Chris George
Chris' great grandfather Arthur Goode settled at Lancaster in 1908 and planted an orchard. He was an original shareholder of the Cannery. Chris' grandfather Frank Goode and father Ron Goode were also shareholders and suppliers. Chris worked at the cannery during the summer holidays.
Tracey McArthur
Tracey's parents were Queenslanders who first began doing seasonal work at Kyabram cannery in the mid 1950’s. They had heard about the cannery from other workers whilst cane cutting in northern Queensland. They continued to travel from Queensland to Kyabram to work at the cannery until 1961 when they decided to relocate permanently to Kyabram.
"Both Dad and Mum worked at the cannery until my sister and I were born. Mum had become a “leading lady” and continued to do the season for several years after having us kids. Dad did varied jobs such as forklift driving, being in charge of fruit ripening, controlling cool room temperatures and working the weighbridge. At his retirement Dad was acknowledged for his 40 years as a cannery employee.
"My sister also worked several seasons at the cannery and Mum joined her on some of them. I only worked one season at the cannery. I remember going with Dad to the cannery as a kid and going into cool rooms, learning to watch for forklifts moving, the electric scooter type vehicles used there, the smell of fruit and the noise of machinery. The cannery picnics were fun for kids and adults alike. I remember Santa arriving at the cannery with presents for us cannery kids.
"Kyabram Cannery was a big part of my family’s lives. It wasn’t just a workplace it was somewhere that spawned enduring friendships that continue today and a place that held many fond memories for my parents.
Sandra Brown
Sandra was born and raised in Kyabram, after her grandfather the late J.H. (Jack) Brown brought his young family to Kyabram seeking work during the depression years of the 1930s. Initially Jack worked on the fruit production line, then later in the cannery’s office while he studied for his accountancy qualification by correspondence.
After leaving school Sandra worked in her grandfather’s secretarial and taxation office, then as a newspaper reporter for the Kyabram Free Press. She later moved interstate and was involved in caravan parks management on the NSW north coast for almost 20 years.
As a Covid lockdown project, Sandra interviewed several former cannery employees and wrote their stories for the Kyabram Cannery Centenary book. After more than 30 years away, Sandra has recently returned home to Kyabram to live.
Nicole Fraser
The Kyabram Cannery is not unfamiliar to the Fraser household. Nicole's father Peter was employed for 37 and a half years until retirement in 2007, and herself and 3 siblings worked several summer, seasonal shifts in between university holidays in the late 80's and early 90's.
More recently Nicole was invited to join the committee to assist with event and media management of the Kyabram Cannery Centenary book launch, exhibition and Kyabram Club events to include the press, website and advertising design.
With a background of marketing, design and photography - Target Australia to print publications to include regional newspaper advertising consultancy and advertising design, this was the perfect opportunity to come on board.
Now living in Barham in NSW, Nicole has many fond memories of growing up in Ky and the cannery days with her family.
The Authors
The Kyabram Cannery Centenary 1922- 2022 publication will be produced by Geoff Allemand, manager of the Shepparton Heritage Centre and Peter Matthews, as co-author.
Geoff is highly credentialed with many years experience in producing local histories. He will be supported by the Kyabram Cannery Committee.
Geoff Allemand
"My parents met and worked at the Ky Cannery in the early 1950's and I was born in Ky. I manage the Shepparton Heritage Centre and have produced 8 local history books."
Peter Matthews
Peter Matthews is a retired school principal and historian, who has collaborated with Geoff Allemand in writing local histories (particularly of organisations), for a number of years. Peter is meticulous in his research and writes according to the needs of the clients and the target audience.