Site 42 Stafford and Sons
16 -18 Charles Street
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In 1889 Mr William T Perry arrived in Jeparit from South Australia with his 7 sons & 4 daughters. He soon set up a saddlers shop on this site. He later took over Mr E Sampson’s blacksmith shop and also became the towns undertaker.
In 1909, William Stafford from Dunolly purchased the Blacksmith and Undertaking business from Mr W Perry. They soon became highly regarded Coach builders, Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths and soon grew to become the largest single owned enterprise in the district. They made wagons, carts, buggies & gigs for local farmers & businesses.
The arrival of the motor car in 1917 brought great changes. First car called “Victory” was imported from America which consisted of a chassis and engine for which Staffords built the bodies. As time went on they became more involved with motor cars, in 1920 the Model T Ford & 1922 Chevrolet. In 1923 William Stafford sold the business to his sons, Bert, Ted & Les and became known as Staffords Pty. Ltd. From 1924 to 1929 they sold vehicles for General Motors. In 1931 they became official agents for the Ford Motor Company.
Staffords Pty. Ltd. continued operations for another 21 years. During this time they developed the “Staffords Conversion” which consisted of removing the original engine from mostly Chamberlain tractors, although other makes of tractors were also used, and replacing them with a Ford diesel engine. This conversion was highly regarded and very popular amongst the local and the not so local farming community.
In 1952 Staffords sold the business to a group of local farmers, Sid Gawith, Clinton Wilson and Charlie Leyonhjelm.
The business remained a Ford sub agent for many years but eventually reverted back to general mechanical work. Eventually the building was sold and demolished to make way for the houses which now stand on this site.
Disclaimer: All information contained on these pages has been prepared over years of research from a small local volunteer group. The information is correct to the best of our knowledge. We always welcome suggestions for corrections or further information to add to the heritage sites. Please forward any comments toinfo@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.