Over 80 women who worked at the former Timer Fashions factory in Gawler attended a reunion on Saturday organised by the Gawler Branch of the National Trust.
In its heyday, Timer Fashions was one of the largest businesses to operate in Gawler and one of the biggest clothing manufacturers in Australia.
According to local Trust member, Ms Marilyn Tucker, who presented a history of the business at the reunion, Timer Fashions had its origins in a small business started by Joe Jacobs in the 1920s. Ms Tucker said Mr Jacobs set his business up in Murray Street where he employed untrained women to do simple machine sewing.“They made nursery squares (nappies) aprons and pyjamas, and with training, the workers progressed into making dresses and skirts,” Ms Tucker said. The business continued during the hard times of the depression. With the start of the Second World War manufacturers were required to make military uniforms.Surprisingly, despite the War, the government implemented a Decentralisation policy in 1942. Ms Tucker said the Myer Emporium approached Joe to set up a clothing factory in Gawler with the view to an exclusive deal for children’s clothes. “Myer purchased the existing plant and Joe was appointed the Manager.”“Again the business was operating from the main street; it employed 20 machinists - growing to 60 within three years.”The business was very profitable, so together with the directors of Myer, Joe establish a company called Gawler Manufacturing Company Limited. “The business grew and consequently purchased the old Fotheringham’s Brewery and a new factory was built on this site,” Ms Tucker said.Timer Fashions operated from the Julian Terrace site from 1944 to 1978 and most, if not all, of the women present at the reunion were from that era.“The business flourished and garments were made to cover all ages under the TIMER brand, e.g. Day Timer, School Timer, and Sports Timer.” While the origins of the name are not known, because of this success, the company changed its name to TIMER FASHIONS Limited. During the 1950’s an extension was built onto the factory, to hold the growing business which employed about 300 people using ½ million yards of imported fabric a year which represents about 250,000 garments. “It was the biggest clothing manufacturer in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s,” according to Ms Tucker.Joe retired from the business early in the 1970, and his son Keith took a larger role.The business became less profitable with the increase of imported garments into Australia during the 1970s which resulted from the reductions of import tariffs. A Sydney businessman took over the company, winding up its clothing manufacturing activities to use the company as a vehicle for another business. The plant in Gawler was sold to a local employee of Timer and he continued manufacturing in Gawler into the 1990s. Local Member Tony Piccolo said the workers at the factory were local girls and women some even travelled from Kapunda and Eudunda on the train each morning.“After Elizabeth was established many travelled from there each day.”“Train time tables were prepared with the needs of these workers in mind because the business was seen by the government as important.”Girls were encouraged to “choose a career that would be an asset to you through life” according to a quote from a brochure to encourage new staff to join Timer.
Many stories and reminisces were shared amongst the women at the reunion over a cup of tea.
More information about Timer Fashions can be obtained from the Gawler National Trust at http://sacommunity.org/org/200423-National_Trust_of_SA_-_Gawler_Branch