I didn't either until I read this sign while passing by on the weekend.
The main brand made by Freer's was Red Seal chips.
I found quite a decent history of Freer's founder Gerard James Freer written on a random blog, and there's a Facebook fan page for Freer's Red Seal chips.
But there seems to be very little else to be found, about what was probably a beloved part of Brisbane's history.
(How could it not be beloved. It's chips.)
I thought about chips for a good chunk of my run after this. I think I'll put them on my nutrition plan for GNW100.
Like Tristams Soft Drinks, these were a big icon and great product when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteLike all things in this country, history is wiped out by big overseas conglomerates like Coke and Lays.
My first holiday job at age 13 was working in the Freer's chip factory, as I lived close by and they required extra staff in the lead-up to Christmas. Most of my days were spent with my arm armpit-deep in the hopper at the end of ovens where the fresh hot crisps came down the chute after cooking. My job was to ensure the even flow of chips through the hopper spout on to the conveyor towards the packing machinery, while picking out any which had been sliced too thinly and become burnt, or sliced too thickly and become, basically, hot roast spuds. These discarded chips went into large metal rubbish bins which were periodically hefted by one of the male staff and taken to the fields outside to be emptied into conveniently placed bathtubs. The herd of sleek jersey cows would come running crazily to gorge on the unexpected feast. My main memory is being paid 45c/hour, which when I turned 14 during my period of working in the factory was raised to a lordly 50c/hour. Such riches! But we are talking 1971 .....
ReplyDeleteBy the late 70s Paul would already be playing in the QSO, ASO and many others. He was very accomplished and a professional by that stage.
DeleteMy brother Jim taught trumpet to one of the freer boys late ‘70’s Paul I think
ReplyDeleteThat’s probably my uncle Paul Freer.
DeleteI went to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and had Elisa Freer in my class. They were a staple in Bardon back then.
ReplyDeleteSame!! But not sure i knew her? I was in grade 1 in 1980.
DeleteI worked there in the 80's during the ekka . Mr Freer picked my friend and I up at the train station and drove us to the factory. We packed sample bags and then he drove us to the ekka. They supplied free passes for my friend and I. Selling show bags was awesome. The Freer family were really lovely to work for. An awesome memory.
ReplyDeleteGerard also had a Lolly shop on Evans Rd in Salisbury forever - fond memories of mum (his niece) taking us over there to get candy Easter eggs.
ReplyDeleteAlso remember my cousin Victoria (Paul’s eldest) doing a stint at their stand at the Ekka spruiking Freer’s chips - and the childhood excitement when occasionally we would get the samples.
They sold the factory possibly in the 90s, but later repurchased it. Correct me if that wrong.
ReplyDelete