“I'll meet you at Fairley’s Corner.”
The business of Fairley’s began in 1887 when James Fairley purchased the North Eastern Farmers’ Joint Stock Company Limited on the corner of High St and Railway Pde, Shepparton. When the business of Thomas Geddes became available on the corner of Maude and Fryers streets he quickly bought it and renamed it James Fairley. The business of being “universal providers” and supplying “anything from a needle to an anchor” brought them in touch with every class of customer. He built up his business and focused on efficiency and service to the extent that it was widely regarded as the best store in the Goulburn Valley.
After his death in 1903, the business was carried on by his three sons, Frederick, William and Andrew, who renamed it Fairley’s. In 1925, S.G. Gaylard purchased the business, with his son Arthur becoming the manager, and the shop was remodelled and modernised.
In the 1960s, Fairley’s expanded by purchasing the P&O Cafe in Fryers St and in 1962 Hall’s Grocery Store in Wyndham St was purchased as space for a men’s and boys’ wear department. The Copulos Group bought Fairley’s in 1990, changing the name to Centrefair Place, and the subsequent upgrade took two years. South Australian company Harris Scarfe bought Centrefair in 2000 where it continues as a department store to this day.
Comments from our Facebook fans about their memories of the fabulous Fairley’s and its famous corner:
Rodney Brauman
After school, or even after going out to the early hours, I would meet mum or my mates on Fairley’s Corner and loved shopping there. So sad it closed down.
Sue Gilligan
I also worked as a window-dresser at Fairley’s but in the late 80s early 90s, and Judy Bonnet was our ticket writer. Loved doing the Christmas children’s animated windows and helping with Santa’s arrival to the store. Was one of my favourite jobs and met some wonderful people.
Peter Smallwood
I worked there when I left school. Started in Dress Fabrics, then Hardware and for a while in the Alcohol and Cigarette department. I’m lucky enough to catch up with my old boss Peter every morning when he comes in to grab his paper at the shop.
Margie van der Paal
It was always the running joke, if you needed money go stand on Fairley’s Corner.
Susan Tosch
On Friday nights when Mum worked late we used to amuse ourselves by going up and down the elevator to the Furniture section on the second floor. l think it was the only public elevator in town. Coles had an elevator but it was for staff use only.
Georgina Johnson
I remember the girls would stand there watching the boys do lappies in their cars.
David Carroll
Losing a bet in those days involved baring your backside in Fairley’s front window.
Peter T. Herriman
I did many a lap around there. Had to watch out for Sergeant Wilson though.
Merle Forster
I worked in Fairley’s around that time and the laps the guys did were magic! When anyone mentioned Chinner Gail we froze.
Lyn Ford
So true. Most farmers would meet their wives there after they went to the sheep sales.
Sheree Fisher
I remember as a motorcycle club we blocked the whole street in front of Fairley’s for a whole Saturday morning’s shopping, protesting about no motorcycle parking in Shepparton.
Rory McKenna Guest
Memories! We spent many a night on Fairley’s Corner and at the Hurco and P&O. That’s where everyone hung out. Got sent home a few nights by the police and also remember riding down Maude St, where the mall is now, on the bonnet of a Holden. And all the laps around the block. That was way back in the early 60s!
Glenise Gooden
Remember going down to Fairley’s with coupons to get butter, tobacco and sugar. Times were hard in those days, about 1950.
Judith Collier
I was Mrs H. the tea lady and worked in the Takeaway up front then went to the Sandwich Bar run by Peg Sidebottom. I then went upstairs to do the staff teas.
Sandra Uzowuru
Oh my goodness, seems like a lifetime ago when I worked in the Haberdashery department of Fairley’s, late 1976. George Tingay was such a lovely man.
Robyn Currey
Great store. I have many keepsakes from Fairley’s. Now they knew how to have a sale!
• Geoff Allemand is manager of the Shepparton Heritage Centre and admin of the Lost Shepparton Facebook page. Please share your pics of the past at pastpics@mmg.com.au