In 1885 Charles James Bryant, proprietor of the Maldon Brewery, selected land backing on to the Goulburn River Reserve for a brewery. He partnered with William Sheil Snr, an employee of the Maldon Brewery. As with the Maldon Brewery, the water for brewing came from a spring on the site, now 146 Welsford St, Shepparton. The Bryant and Sheil Brewery grew to be one of the largest industries in Shepparton in the early days.
The Weekly Times in 1897 published this article:
On the Goulburn River, in the town of Shepparton, is the brewery of Messrs Bryant and Sheil, who are famed throughout the length and breadth of the Goulburn Valley for the excellent quality of their clear and sparkling ales. The Shepparton Brewery, as our picture will show, is a large building erected on modern principles, and capable of meeting all the demands of a large and progressive trade. It is situated in a picturesque spot on the Goulburn, and is one of the landmarks of Shepparton.
An artesian well 100-feet deep gives a plentiful supply of beautiful water, which is a matter of prime importance. The brewing is in the hands of Mr C. Bryant, one of the proprietors, and it is acknowledged on all sides that the beer turned out from Messrs Bryant and Sheil's well-known brewery is equal to any produced in the colonies. Mr Bryant has evidently gauged the taste of the public to a nicety, and he is to be complimented on the quality of the Shepparton beer, which has won highest encomiums from visitors from all parts of the world. The proprietors have by close and personal supervision built up a flourishing business. They have allied themselves to everything which is for the welfare and progress of the town of Shepparton, and their good qualities as businessmen and citizens have won the admiration of all circles of the community.
In 1935 the brewery site was cleared and six flats were built. The Shepparton Advertiser published the following article:
Shepparton’s Progress — Flats in Welsford St
At present being erected on the old historic brewery site at the corner of High and Welsford Sts are six attractive flats.
These flats are two-storey buildings and are being constructed in three blocks of two flats, thus providing ample light and air to each.
The accommodation to each flat consists of a living room, dining room, stair hall, kitchen, laundry and rear verandah on the ground floor; and on the first floor, two bedrooms each with sleep-out balcony, box room (or small bedroom), and a bathroom with built-in bath, basin and cupboard.
A garage is also provided and has inside access to the flat. Ample cupboard space has been provided, and the kitchen is equipped with gas stove in a tiled recess, and stainless steel sink and draining board.
A river view
An excellent view of one of the most attractive bends on the river is obtained from the generous windows of the dining rooms and best bedrooms of each flat.
Landscape garden setting with brick and concrete fences and ornamental gates will make this block of buildings a decided architectural acquisition to Shepparton, and should be a splendid investment for the enterprising owner.
• 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