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1897
13 February 1897
1904
25 February 1904
Gulgong Wheat Market
Mr. J. D. Parker, manager of Loneragan's, Ltd., store and mill at Gulgong, has bought a very large quantity of wheat, upwards of 11,000 bags now being stored and room is being made for further large purchases. In spite of heavy gristing stocks of flour are exceedingly light, the "Palm" brand being held in high repute2
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1906
13 September 1906
Gulgong.
(From our Correspondent.)
Items. - Messrs. Jas. Loneragan, Ltd., have been singularly fortunate in the construction of the reservoir for supplying the roller mill. The work, pipes, etc., was completed on Monday last, and, ere the cement was dry, the water was pouring into the tank3
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1909
25 November 1909
IMPROVEMENTS TO GULGONG FLOUR MILL.
Messrs. James Loneragan, Ltd., proprietors of the Gulgong flour mill, are having new machinery installed, and improvements affected to the mill. The work is being done under the supervision of the Mudgee Roller Milling Company4
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1910
6 January 1910
The other day Mr. McManus brought into the Gulgong flour mill a load of wheat. Whilst the men were unloading the bags a large black snake was discovered in the dray, and on being despatched was found to be 5 feet 6 inches long. It is not very often we publish snake yarns, especially just after a string of festivities, but the above is a fact, as the skeleton of the snake can bear witness5
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1912
30 September 1912
MILL ROAD AT GULGONG.
A start has been made to lay in the road to the new mill site at Gulgong for Messrs. Jas. Loneragan. The site is close to the railway station on the town side, and the new road will be about 15 chains long. It crosses the main road between Gulgong and the railway station, and will be completed in about three weeks' time6
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1913
29 December 1913
GULGONG FLOUR MILL.
After having only been stopped for 10 days, the Gulgong mill has been got going again, and is now working at high pressure7
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1918
28 October 1918
Gulgong Flour Mill,
A BIG CONCERN.
During the last twelve days Messrs. Jas. Loneragan (Milling) Co. shipped 350 tons of flour in 50 lbs bags; necessitating the use of ? miles of calico, sufficient to stretch from Gulgong to Home Rule or Puggoon. The rate of all ? some of the time, ? bags per minute. The mill has been running continuously during the last two years day and night, employing a staff of over 20 hands. The industry is a distinct benefit to the district and the enterprise and ?fulness of the company is ex??fied in their ability to find ? for 600 to 700 tons of "Golden Gate" monthly. The company ships its product to the United Kingdom, South Africa, Java, Pacific Islands, Hong Kong and other distant centres8
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1922
12 January 1922
The Gulgong flour mills are again working three shifts. A fair amount of wheat is being received for use at the mill, and farmers are also pooling a good deal of their wheat9
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1938
8 December 1938
GOOD YIELDS
Gulgong Wheat Crops
A RECORD delivery of local wheat to the Gulgong flour mill took place on Monday last when 4259 bags were received.
More wheat is coming in than was expected, the yield being greater than was thought possible some weeks ago.
A lot of the crops around the Gulgong district are averaging 8 or 9 bags to the acre.
The general average is certainly very satisfactory.
On the whole, crops are double what many people had expected them to be.
Asked to comment on the excellence of the yields, a local authority stated that although the weather was very dry for many weeks preceding harvesting, it was nevertheless very mild, with cool nights, and crops were not seriously burnt off. Another factor is that better cultivation methods were employed10
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1940
4 April 1940
Gulgong Mill World Famous
FINEST CAKE FLOUR MADE HERE
Foundation of a New Business Laid
Story of Australian Achievement
MUCH publicity was given at the Sydney Royal Show to the Golden Gate Flour Mill at Gulgong. Papers were distributed which told of a new industry commenced by Popsy Products Consolidated, an industry in which Gulgong manufactured flour plays an important part.
A photograph printed in the papers showed the extensive storage facilities that enable thorough blending of wheats at this mill. Gulgong is shown on the hill in the background of the picture, which, incidentally, it is stated, was taken from Australia's fastest privately owned plane.
The publicity given was as follows:-
Now, more than at any other time, it is necessary to show practical belief in the future of our country. Faith alone is not sufficient - in peace or war we must plan and work with calmness, deliberation and foresight.
Practical proof of such confidence in Australia's future is demonstrated by the establishment of a new firm, involving a capital investment of several thousands of pounds in plant and machinery.
Popsy Products Consolidated, distributors of Popsy airspun cake flour, have behind them the resources of the Golden Gate mill, Gulgong - a mill which has recently installed flour milling and refining machinery of a type quite new to this country, bringing to Australian housewives the benefits and savings to be found in a superfine textured self-raising flour.
The amount of employment resulting from such an enterprise is not easily estimated. In addition to the hands actually engaged in the mill there are carton designers and manufacturers' employees, printers, packers and shippers, travellers and ordermen. These and many other workers in various industries benefit from the foundation of a new business such as Popsy airspun cake flour.
Popsy is airspun - it is refined to a stage twenty-five times finer than ordinary flours, without any loss of food values. Such fineness is only achieved by the wonderful milling machinery, of a type unique in Australia, recently installed at the Golden Gate mill, Gulgong.
FAMOUS FOR 25 YEARS
In 1912 the Golden Gate flour mill was established in Gulgong due to the enterprise and foresight of Mr. James Loneragan. Within two years the demand for Gulgong flour had become so great that it became necessary to put the mill on a full 24 hour working basis for seven days a week.
It is conducive proof of the high quality of this flour that the mill has continued working on this basis ever since, except for brief stops for overhaul.
As a buyer of wheat the mill has done much to help stabilize the prosperity of the district. To implement the policy of high quality premiums have always been paid for special wheats. These special wheats are stored in an extensive silo system and are drawn off in correct proportion for the making of a super flour. A special device is installed to ensure that each grade of wheat has an even moisture content before being blended. This gives evenness of mixing and baking.
It is nearly two years since the directors of Golden Gate mill decided to investigate the success of high ratio flours in England and America. Their investigations indicated that the special wheats they used were admirably suited for such flours - so much so that Popsy airspun cake flour is an improvement on similar overseas lines.
Although an American style flour an English manufacturer has developed machinery superior to that available in America - and it is this plant, the most modern of its type, which is installed in the Golden data mill.
And so, as the result of over a quarter of a century of accomplishment, the finest cake flour in the world is now being made at the Golden Gate mill, providing employment for many and adding another chapter to the story of Australian achievement.
Through the Golden Gate mill for 24 hours a day pours a constant stream of golden wheat, passing from mill to mill till at last the ? centre of the berry is peeled apart and airspun through superfine screens to emerge as Popsy cake flour.
Behind this fascinating process lies a district thorough organisation.
It (This paragraph illegible)
?? the wheat is stacked high in the great sheds that surround the mill. Many types are thus stacked together and they must be scientifically blended if a truly fine flour is to result. Each type of wheat differs slightly in moisture content and if they were mixed without this being adjusted, a flour of uneven moisture content would result, with consequent uneven results in cooking. The Golden Gate wheats therefore, are brought to a standard moisture content and then blended to the right proportions.
After blending, the wheat is left in a silo for a short time before going through a long series of cleaning machines.
There are machines for sifting any stray remaining stalks; for sifting odd oats and inferior grains; and a whole batch for shaking out dust. It is a very clean and wholesome grain which at length reaches the first mill.
In the first mill the outer husk is removed, forming what we know as bran. Further milling breaks down the grain still further and the coarse semolina is taken out. The remaining portion then starts to look like flour, but many more refining processes are necessary before Popsy is created.
Ordinary flour is bleached by a harmless gas after its final milling. The natural color of Popsy is so intensely white that it is unnecessary to do this - Popsy on its own account will ensure that rich even color in your cake that you so much desire.
For 25 years, with hardly a stop, the Golden Gate mill has turned out super flours. Now it is proud to be the only Australian mill producing an Australian high ratio flour. A flour that improves on similar flours overseas11
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1942
17 December 1942
BLOW TO GULGONG
Reported Partial Closing of Mill
Much concern is expressed in Gulgong as a result of the reported intention of the Flour Industry Committee to cut down the working time of the Golden Gate Flour Mill at Gulgong from about 16 hours per day as at present to about six hours per day.
This manufacturing concern has probably the largest payroll in the district, employing about 30 persons - nearly all married men with families. It is understood that in future more than half the flour manufactured at Gulgong will be transferred to Sydney mills, in an already overcrowded city.
The Flour Industry Committee is a board appointed by the Federal Government to control flour milling in Australia. The Gulgong flour mill worked 24 hours per day continuously from 1916 to 1941, but since then has worked only about 16 hours per day. This will be a direct blow to Gulgong, and is certainly not in keeping with decentralisation policy.
It is said that many flour mills, including Gulgong, can operate far more efficiently and economically in the country12
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1943
7 October 1943
Gulgong Floor Mill
Mostly Now Working Three Shifts Daily
The Gulgong flour mill is sharing in the large British flour orders which have been sent to Australia. The mill is working mostly three shifts.
It is understood that one of the most serious drawbacks to business is the very serious shortage of rail way trucks to take away flour, bran and pollard to people who are urgently requiring them. Special provision, however, was made for trucks for flour for British orders, but this leaves the supply of trucks for N.S.W. orders very short. There is a considerable delay in the transport of bran and pollard urgently required by dairy and poultry farmers by reason of railway truck shortages.
Stocks of wheat at the Gulgong mill are rapidly disappearing13
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1944
11 May 1944
Unusual Accident
Three Men Injured at Gulgong Flour Mill
An unusual accident occurred at the "Golden Gate" Flour Mill in Gulgong on Thursday afternoon, 4th instant, when three men were burnt about the face and shoulders. It appears that on Thursday last the fires in the gas producers were allowed to die down prior to the closing down of the mill generally for fumigation and repair work over the week-end. The door of the producer furnace was opened and provided a comforting companion to Messrs. Harold Evans, A. ("Tom") Boyd, Albert Bradley and others when they partook of their lunch during Thursday's bleakness. Due, it is thought, to spontaneous combustion, large coals and cinders suddenly burst through the open door of the furnace, resulting in Mr. Evans receiving nasty burns to face and shoulders, Mr. Bradley slighter burns, and Mr. Boyd burns to elbow. The former two men were admitted to Gulgong District Hospital - Mr. Evans probably for a week or so; Mr. Bradley for a few days. Mr. Boyd was allowed to go home. All suffered from shock14
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18 December 1944
GULGONG'S BIG BLAZE.
Flour Mill Endangered Valuable Wheat Destroyed
At about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon a fire broke out in the wheat slack adjoining Loneragan's flour mill at Gulgong and, although a grand fight resulted in the mill building being saved, much valuable wheat and other property was destroyed.
The local fire fighters answered the call promptly and they were later assisted by some members of the Mudgee Brigade. Other willing workers also rushed to the rescue, and they are to be commended on the splendid work accomplished.
It is estimated that 35,000 bags of wheat, valued at approximately £18,000 or £20,000, were either destroyed or badly damaged. Large quantities of bags, etc., valued at £3000, also went up in smoke, while the loss in buildings and equipment was also heavy.
As mentioned above, the main building was saved, thus averting a calamity which would have seriously affected the whole district. The ordinary work of the mill will not be disturbed, but the wheat loss, cannot be replaced15
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1945
9 July 1945
KEEP GULGONG MILL GOING
Sufficient wheat exists along the Mudgee-Dunedoo-Merrygoen line to keep the Gulgong flour mill working, at reasonable capacity, it was claimed at the Wheatgrowers' Union Central Zone meeting at Molong.
Gulgong branch had a motion before the meeting requesting that the attention of the Australian Wheat Board be directed to the disadvantage of restricting the supply of wheat to the Gulgong mill.
It was pointed out by the branch that a substantial reduction of the staff and the foregoing of a vast interstate trade would be a serious loss to the town and district.
Mr. A. H. Fortescue (Gulgong) said 14 hands had been put off, including some men who had been employed there from boyhood. It was a grand old mill.
Mr. Hazleton (general secretary) agreed that everything possible should be done to keep the mill going at reasonable capacity, but pointed out that wheat stocks in N.S.W. were so low that the posi-tion was most parlous. There were some 50,000,000 bushels of wheat in Australia, mostly in Western Australia and South Australia. There were about 6,000,000 bushels in N.S.W. Wheat was being brought into New South Wales at the rate of about 1½ million bushels a month, and it was largely being gristed where it came in.
Messrs. Leo Burke (Birriwa), McLelland (Neilrex) and Fortescue pointed out that wheat was now being transported past Gulgong.
Mr. J. Canobi (zone secretary): Yes, they are taking it past Gulgong to grist it, while the Gulgong mill is being restricted!
Mr. Hazleton: We can certainly take up that matter.
GRAIN FROM AMERICA
Mr. Milo Bourke (State executive) gave particulars in regard to grain sorghum and other grain being brought in from overseas, mainly America. He said this should ease the demand on wheat for poultry farming and similar industries. He thought the Gulgong mill matter could be taken up with the Wheat Board.
Mr. Leo Burke: What a disgrace it is that a country like Australia has to bring in grain from another country!
Mr. McLelland: Yes, we have reached a sorry state when we have to do that. On the motion of Messrs. Leo Burke and McLelland, the Gulgong motion was adopted.
CERTIFIED WEIGHMEN
Another Gulgong motion carried was that only a certified weighman be allowed to act as weighman at any wheat receiving depot and that no man under the age of 21 years be certified as a weighman.
Mr. Fortescue quoted an instance where a boy of 13 had been acting as a weighman. He believed farmers had lost a good deal of wheat16
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12 July 1945
Public Protest
GULGONG FLOUR MILL RESTRICTION
"Stupid Bungling on Part of Government"
A public meeting of protest against the recently imposed Government restriction regulations, which have caused the dismissal of 14 men from the local flour mill, was held in Gulgong Town Hall on Monday afternoon, July 2.
Indignation was expressed by many speakers at the shabby way Gulgong had been treated in having her only secondary industry so restricted that men who had been in the employ of the mill for many years had had to be dismissed.
It was also pointed out that local wheat had been transported past the local mill, which had a world-wide reputation for milling high-grade flour, to city mills, to supply the local mill's own customers, at the Government's direction.
Mr. E. J. Gudgeon said: "Gulgong did not get a look-in in any of the war industries, and now the Government is taking away our existing industry to benefit city interests. This can hardly be called decentralisation, which the Government talks so much about."
Cr. Davis: The Golden Gate Mill has won prizes in world exhibitions, and has won a high reputation for good quality flour. Was this to be lost to other mills producing inferior quality flour because of Government muddling? It seems hardly fair. The whole thing shows stupid muddling on the part of the Government.''
It was resolved to forward a strong protest to the Federal Minister for Agriculture (Hon. W. J. Scully, M.H.R.).
Mr. Canobi (secretary of the local branch of the Wheat Growers' Union) wanted to know what was being done to find employment for those men who had been rendered unemployed by the Government action.
Following some discussion on this matter, it was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Canobi and Brigden, that the Minister be urgently requested to find, employment locally for these men.
QUESTION OF WORK ON NEW GULGONG PROJECT
When in Sydney recently attending an executive meeting of the Wheat Growers' Union, Mr. J. C. Canobi (Gulgong branch and central zone council secretary) had an interview with Mr. W. F. Dunn, M.L.A, regarding the curtailed production at the Gulgong flour mill which has caused the dismissal of 14 employees.
Mr. Dunn said he thought it possible that the dismissed men could be employed on work at the soil conservation sub-station which is being set up in this district.
However, Mr. Dunn, on Thursday last, received a letter as follows from the Director of Soil Conservation Service (Mr. E. S. Clayton), Sydney:-
"Dear Captain Dunn,- "I refer to our conversation which we had on the 13th June last concerning the employees of the Golden Gate Flour Mill, Gulgong.
"I have made extensive inquiries as to the possibilities of employment of some of these men on our works in the Gulgong district as I would like to avail ourselves of this opportunity, if possible. I find however, that the Gulgong demonstration does not offer much opportunity of such employment. In these small demonstrations on farmers' properties there is not the same opportunity for the employment areas, foreshore protection of storage dam, tree planting and gully reclamation, etc., offer.
"The work to be done at Gulgong consists of soil conservation operations in the form of waterways, contour banks, pasture furrows, construction of earth dams, etc., and this will be done with special plant and operators, consisting of tractor drivers and machine operators. Any incidental work, such as fencing, etc., will be done by the farmers themselves, and it is considered that they will be able to do all that is required in this connection. Such demonstrations generally do not require the use of much labor as the work is all of a special nature and requires skilled workers."
SERIOUS LOSS TO THE TOWN AND DISTRICT
The Bathurst "Advocate" says: Sufficient wheat exists along the Mudgee-Dunedoo-Merrygoen line to keep the Gulgong flour mill working at reasonable capacity, it was claimed at the Wheat Growers' Union Central Zone meeting at Molong.
Gulgong branch had a motion before the meeting requesting that the attention of the Australian Wheat Board be directed to the disadvantage of restricting the supply of wheat to the Gulgong mill.
It was pointed out by the branch that a substantial reduction of the staff and the foregoing of a vast interstate trade would be a serious loss to the town and district.
Mr. A. H. Fortescue (Gulgong) said 14 hands had been put off, including some men who had been employed there from boyhood. It was a grand old mill.
Mr. Hazelton (general secretary) agreed that everything possible should be done to keep the mill going at reasonable capacity, but pointed out that wheat stocks in New South Wales were so low that the position was most parlous. There were some 50,000,000 bushels of wheat in Australia, mostly in Western Australia and South Australia. There were about 6,000,000 bushels in N.S.W. Wheat was being brought into N.S.W. at the rate of about 15 million bushels a month, and it was largely being gristed where it came in.
Messrs. Leo Bourke (Birriwa), McLelland (Neilrex.) and Fortescue pointed out that wheat was now being transported past Gulgong. Mr. J. Canobi (zone secretary): Yes, they are taking it past Gulgong to grist it, while the Gulgong mill is being restricted! Mr. Hazelton: We can certainly take up that matter17
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26 July 1945
MUDGEE SUPPORTS GULGONG
Ald Pack is concerned about the restrictions placed on the operations of the Gulgong flour mill, which, he stated at Monday night's council meeting, served the needs of Mudgee and surrounding district says, the Mudgee "Guardian." He moved that a strong protest be made to the Government authorities, and the resolution was carried unanimously. Ald. Pack is to be highly commended on bringing such an important matter forward, and no doubt council's protest will carry some weight18
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15 November 1945
IMPROVEMENT TO GULGONG FLOUR MILL
Messrs. S. Coles and K. Williams, of Wormald Bros., Sydney, are at present installing an automatic fire protection system at the Gulgong flour mill. Different size pipes are fed off water main to an electric motor. In the event of fire the heat of the fire operates sprinklers. A special type of valve is also put in, which operates a bell, and a fire alarm automatically notifies that there is a fire, and the sprinklers are in operation. The whole system is automatic19
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1946
15 August 1946
TWO SHIFTS ONLY
Gulgong Flour Mill
Government Order
Mr. J. P. English, manager of Jas. Loneragan's Flour Milling Co., has been advised by telegram from the Government Wheat Board that the company must reduce working time at the mill from three shifts to two shifts as from Monday next, August 19.
No reason is given for the order but it is believed that it is due to the bad season and the shortage of wheat, although around Gulgong there are large stacks of wheat in many areas.
The reduction of shifts will be a great hardship to Gulgong and district. Employment will be reduced and there will be considerably less bran and pollard available for poultry breeders and others.
All city mills, some of whom have been in trouble regarding wheat supplies, will now work two shifts, the same as Gulgong20
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1947
22 May 1947
Dismissal of Hands From Gulgong Flour Mill
Approximately ten hands have received dismissal notices from Jas. Loneragan (Milling) Coy. in Gulgong. This action, it is believed, was found necessary owing to the restrictions on the manufacture of flour imposed by the Australian Wheat Board. The local mill will work on a one, instead of two shift basis. It is only allowed to grind a limited quantity of flour each week. It is believed that there will be no shortage of flour in N.S.W. as the result of the board's action throughout the State, but that there will definitely be a shortage of bran, and pollard21
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1948
3 June 1948
Over 100,000 Bags of Wheat
STACKED AT GULGONG FLOUR MILL
Over 100,000 bags of wheat, sufficient to keep the Gulgong flour mill working for some time, are stacked in and around the mill, it was learned on Monday last.
A report from the Central West says although the Railways have stated that there is a shortage of bulk trucks to take wheat for milling, and despite the fact that alarm has been expressed in some quarters, managers of several flour mills state that they are not perturbed.
Forbes mill, however, may have to close down temporarily.
GULGONG POSITION
In stating that there is an ample supply of wheat at the Gulgong mill to maintain production, the manager, Mr. J. P. English, pointed out that a quantity of it was stacked some distance away, necessitating special haulage by motor transport. Other mill managers have said, ? ?22
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10 June 1948
Gulgong Personal
Miss Betty Cornish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brit. Cornish, has returned from holidays and resumed office duty at Loneragan's flour mill23
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References