General News
14 August, 2026
MURPHY’S STORE: A by-gone era
Perched opposite the Maryborough Knitting Mill in Tuaggra Street was Murphy’s General Store.
It was run by Marie and Jim Murphy who moved from Castlemaine to Maryborough.
It was a convenience store that operated prior to the arrival of the supermarkets.
Today, it would have been surrounded by Woolworths, Coles and Aldi, with IGA a stone’s throw away.
Its petrol outlet was probably the most popular in the city.
It was in the days when the proprietor manned the pump and would check your tyres, water and oil.
Unbelievably, your windscreen would be cleaned; and you had the choice of diesel or lead petrol.
Lunch time and morning tea time were hectic as a cluster of workers rushed in.
At lunch time a stream of the local young ladies in their “micro minis” and “bobby sox” queued up.
Some straddled their bicycles for a quick dash to their homes or down High Street.
Blasts from the factory whistle (powered by the steam boiler) warned that it was time to return to work. The current shopping complex has retained the chimney — I asked several shoppers of its significance and they were unsure.
Although Murphy’s corner store was mirrored in towns and cities all over the country, each had its own character.
The business traded from dawn to dusk.
It traded for seven days a week and usually from 6 am to 8 pm.
This required employing a variety of staff of all ages.
Many young citizens had their first jobs there.
Young Gerard, Danny and Sue (the Murphy children) had an excellent example of the rewards of “honest toil”.
Local identity Coral Giles showed me a program of a local production of the “light opera” Kismet.
It featured many local identities including a dashing, youthful and handsome “Wazim”, played by Gerard.
Gerard was brought up surrounded by the constant daily routines to run the business.
Delivery trucks arrived at all hours and had to be unloaded and shelved.
You were virtually on the go for 24 hours a day. The family ran the business for 16 years.
It was sold to Geoff Halpin, followed by Wacko Weekes senior.
The business retailed a wide variety of goods.
Marie’s family had Italian roots and provided the classic blend of Irish and Italian when she married Jim.
On retiring, she moved to Raglan Street and worked tirelessly for the parish.
Since returning to Maryborough, Gerard hasn’t wasted any time.
He and his partners took over the management of the Maryborough Sports Centre.
It was one of several that they managed.
Gerard took an active role on the Maryborough Sport’s Association Committee.
This committee recognised local talent both present and in the past. A panel votes on the sports person of the year. The presentation is made at a dinner at the Highland Society.
On that night inductees are made into the “Hall of Fame” and outstanding locals are awarded a place in the Legends. It also recognises team officials and volunteers.
John Nicholls and Jack Worrall are also legends in the AFL Hall of Fame.
Gerard has served on the Central Goldfields Shire as a councillor for 10 years from 2016 to present day.
In his adolescent years, Gerard worked in the business with his mother.
They sold an extensive variety of goods. Groceries were much in demand.
Often goods were bought on the slate and Marie wouldn’t seek payment.
Many shopkeepers had a similar dilemma and extended some charity to those in need.
The “take away” trade was always in demand. Pies and pasties, cut sandwiches and milkshakes, also spiders were popular.
Malted milks were devoured by the customers and consisted of a full container and a glass. Chocolate and blue heaven were the favourite flavours.
The younger clients patronised the “lolly shop” where individual lolly bags were filled.
“I’ll have two aniseed balls, a liquorice strap, three strawberry fizzies and a gumball” would be a typical order.
After the war, particularly cigarettes were the biggest cash earner, along with the petrol.
Having lived through this era one can become over-nostalgic.
But I believe post war the world was a better place until we were overtaken by the massive conglomerates.