Hall of Fame - Meritorious Families

Lewis Family

Transport

Through the transport company, Rover Motors, the Lewis family has been synonymous with buses, coaches and transport in the Cessnock and Hunter Valley since the 1920s.

In 1925, a local businessman, George Ryder, purchased the South Maitland Motor Company and the Marble Bar Motor Service, which were operators of bus services in the Coalfields area. He named the new company Rover Motors Propriety Limited. Rab Lewis (1906 – 2000) joined him soon after, and so began the long association of the Lewis family with the company.

In the early days, Rover Motors buses transported mine workers to the collieries and Coalfields residents to the towns and villages of the area. In the 1930s and 40s, the company grew to become the largest and most progressive in NSW, pioneering the first centre door double decker buses in Australia and in 1944 introducing the first semi trailer bus in NSW.

The 1950s saw services expand to meet the growing demand for buses to transport shift workers to BHP in Newcastle, weekend revellers to Maitland and people spending weekends at Lake Macquarie. It was at this time that Jack Lewis (1937 – 2005) joined Rab as an apprentice, starting a working life of half a century with the company.

The next two decades saw an expansion into tours and holidays, with Rover Motors offering tours to the Gold Coast and the Snowy Mountains, and a travel agency that provided overseas and domestic travel services. The loss of the railway service to Cessnock also saw the start of a bus service to Newcastle.

In more recent times, coaches and buses have been deployed to offer local people and visitors the opportunity for day trips, and access to cultural, sporting, leisure and special events in the vineyards, Hunter and Sydney regions.

Throughout these times, the Lewis family has played an important part in the ownership, management and development of the company. Aaron Lewis became the third generation member in the company in the 1980s, the decade in which the Lewis family became the sole owners.

Innovation has always been a hallmark of the company, now known simply as Rovers, and this can be seen again in the 1990s when the company took delivery of the first ultra low floor buses outside a capital city.

Today, now owned by members of the Lewis family, this company is a significant local business offering a range of transport services to our visitors, local communities and beyond.

Speech read by Aaron Lewis at Induction Ceremony

http://www.rovercoaches.com.au

McGuigan Family

Winemakers over several generations

This statement is similar to the citation which was read on the occasion of the McGuigan Family's induction into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame on 28 November 2007.

The McGuigan family has been associated with the wine industry across four generations since Owen Patrick McGuigan, more than a century ago.

Owen worked on a vineyard at Rothbury where he was sometimes joined by his young son, Perc.

In 1941, the adult Perc continued the family's interest in winemaking in a managerial role at Penfold's Dalwood property near Branxton. His career extended to 1968, playing a key role in the evolution of the Australian wine industry.

In February 1968 Penfolds offered at auction complete 136 acres of Dalwood property. It was purchased by Perc and his wife Silvia for $26,700. They named it Wyndham Estate and proceeded to replant the area originally planted by the Convicts under George Wyndham commencing in 1831.

In 1970 it was sold to a syndicate headed and managed by Brian McGuigan, Perc's eldest son, and it went on to create one of the most successful Australian wine companies.

Brian and his wife, Fay, who is from Cessnock, took the company to new heights, with sales exceeding 1.25 million cases. In 1985, Fay won the Exporter of the Year Award, one of many awards won by the family and the company.

In 1992, Brian established McGuigan Wines in 1992 with Fay and Neil McGuigan (Brian's youngest brother).

In the mid 1990s, Brian and Fay's daughter, Lisa, established Hunter Cellars and Hermitage Road, which later became Tempus Two.

In 2001, McGuigan Wines merged with Simeon Wines, thereby creating Australia's fourth largest wine company, with which family members are still associated.

In 2001, Fay McGuigan was awarded the Centenary Medal, and Perc and Brian have both been awarded the Australian Medal in 2003 and 1988 respectively.

Neil McGuigan also has long standing involvement in the wine industry, both in those companies bearing the family name and in various capacities for other companies.

In a significant role away from winemaking, Brian has served as Chairman of Newcastle's Mater Misericordiae Hospital.

Owen Patrick McGuigan was born in the Hunter Valley in 1869
Initially a dairy farmer, he developed an interest in the wine industry, and began working for the McNamara family at their vineyard at Rothbury
In 1906, Owen married Catherine Bendeich
Sometimes, he was joined in his work by his young son, Perc, who was born in 1913
Owen died in 1925, leaving Catherine to raise six children and run the farm
In 1941, the adult Perc followed in his father's footsteps and resumed the family's interest in the winemaking, taking on a managerial role at Penfold's Dalwood property near Branxton
In 1942, Brian McGuigan was born
In 1943, Fay Lennard was born
Brian and Fay first met in 1958 on the school train, and married in 1964
Lisa McGuigan was born in 1967, the first child of Brian and Fay
Perc's career spanned almost three decades until 1968, during which time he played a key role in the evolution of the Australian wine industry, and was innovative in the production of a more diverse range of wine products and varieties
In February 1968 Penfolds offered at auction complete 136 acres of Dalwood property. It was purchased by Perc and his wife Silvia for $26,700. They named it Wyndham Estate and proceeded to replant the area originally planted by the Convicts under George Wyndham commencing in 1831.
Brian and Fay's second daughter, Vanessa, was born in 1969
In 1970 Wyndham Estate was sold to a syndicate headed and managed by Brian McGuigan, Perc's eldest son and it went on to create one of the most successful Australian wine companies
In time, the company reached sales in excess of 1.25 million cases, and Wyndham Estate became one of Australia's leading exporters of wine
In 1985, Fay won Exporter of the Year Award
Brian McGuigan was awarded the Australian Medal (AM) in 1988
In 1990, Vanessa McGuigan died, and Brian and Fay lost Wyndham Estate
Subsequently Brian established McGuigan Wines in 1992 with Fay and Neil McGuigan (Brian's youngest brother)
Fay McGuigan, Brian's wife, has also played a major role in the development of the company, particularly in expanding the export aspects, and has been recognised for her achievements with honours such as NSW Telstra Businesswoman of the Year (Ausindustry section)
In 1999, Fay was given an Australian Export Heroes Award by the Australian Institute of Export
Fay has served on the Prime Minister's Supermarkets to Asia Council
Lisa McGuigan, daughter of Brian and Fay, had her first career in hospitality management, before moving back to the Hunter Valley in 1996 to establish Hunter Cellars, which offered a new approach to the cellar door experience
At this time, Lisa joined the Board of Directors of McGuigan Wines during an important period of growth
In 1997, Lisa opened a new winery, Hermitage Road, which in 1998 was renamed Tempus Two
In 2001, McGuigan Wines merged with Simeon Wines, thereby creating Australia's fourth largest wine company
In 2001, Fay McGuigan was awarded the Centenary Medal
Currently, Fay works with McGuigan Simeon Wines (MSWL) as Export Marketing Consultant, supporting the export of 20 million litres of MSWL wine
In the same year, Icon Brands was formed as the distribution arm of MSWL
In 2002, Tempus Two joined Icon Brands, and Lisa McGuigan was appointed Marketing Director for MSWL
Perc McGuigan was awarded the Australian Medal (AM) in 2003 for his contribution to the Australian wine industry
In 2006, Brian stepped down as CEO of McGuigan Wines for health reasons
Neil McGuigan has continued his long standing involvement in the wine industry, both in those companies which bear the family name and in various capacities for other companies
In a significant role away from winemaking, Brian has served as Chairman of Newcastle's Mater Misericordiae Hospital

Useful websites:

http://www.mcguiganwines.com.au/

Tulloch Family

Winemakers over several generations since the 1890s

This statement is similar to the citation which was read on the occasion of the Tulloch Family's induction into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame on 28 November 2007.

James Tulloch arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1843, but it was not until 1895 that the Tulloch family's association with the wine industry began, when his grandson, John Younie Tulloch, owner of the Branxton General Store, accepted a property in Pokolbin as settlement of a debt.

This led Tulloch into viticulture and winemaking, thereby beginning the family tradition.

By the 1920s John Younie Tulloch had established himself as the largest vigneron in the Hunter Valley, owning the company of J.Y. Tulloch & Sons.

When John Younie died in 1940, his eldest son, Hector, took over and subsequently developed the Pokolbin Dry Red and Hunter River White labels.

In 1973 Jay Tulloch, Hector's son, became General Manager and the company later underwent a series of ownership changes eventually becoming part of Southcorp Wines.

Jay, with his wife, Julia, extend the Tulloch family with their own four children - twins Christina and Jock, and also Victoria and Jusitina.

In 1996 Jay Tulloch retired from his role as General Manager of Southcorp's Hunter Valley operations, and the following year, with Julia, started their own boutique operation, the JYT Wine Company.

It was around this time that Keith Tulloch, from a different branch of the family, established his wine making company, Keith Tulloch Wines.

In 2001 the opportunity arose to buy back the old family company, J.Y. Tulloch & Sons Pty Ltd from Southcorp Wines, and so a new era of J.Y. Tulloch & Sons began, with a Tulloch once again at the helm.

Christina has now joined the company and is currently General Manager, and Jock is currently Business Development Manager for Tulloch Wines.

In 1843 when James Tulloch arrived in Australia from his homeland of Scotland 1895 marked the beginning of the Tulloch family's association with the wine industry, when James's grandson, John Younie Tulloch (J.Y. Tulloch), who owned the Branxton General Store, accepted an unusual settlement for a debt owed to him - a 43 acre property in nearby Pokolbin.
J.Y. Tulloch took an immediate liking to the property and the five acres of neglected Shiraz vines it contained and undertook his first foray into viticulture and winemaking, which began the family tradition.
The parcel of land was renamed "Glen Elgin" as a namesake for his Scottish descent, Tulloch rejuvenated the vines and within a year produced his first vintage of a single hogshead of red wine.
By the 1920s J.Y. Tulloch had established himself as the largest vigneron in the Hunter Valley.
In 1938 the company was named J.Y. Tulloch & Sons Pty Ltd.
In 1940 J.Y. Tulloch passed away, survived by five sons and four daughters.
Following J.Y.'s death the eldest of his five sons, Hector Tulloch, took over the reins of the family company and became Managing Director of J.Y. Tulloch & Sons Pty Ltd.
In the 1950s Hector developed the Pokolbin Dry Red and Hunter River White labels.
Hector died in 1965, survived by a son, Jay (also J.Y.) Tulloch and a daughter, Helen.
In 1969 J.Y. Tulloch & Sons Pty Ltd was sold outside of the family for the first time to Reed Consolidated Publishing
In 1973 Jay Tulloch became General Manager and later the company was sold from Reeds to Gilbey's Australia. Subsequently, there were several ownership changes - from Gilbey's, to Castlemaine Tooheys, to Penfolds, which was eventually sold to SA Brewing in 1992 and renamed Southcorp Wines
Jay, with his wife, Julia, extend the Tulloch family with their own four children - twins Christina and Jock, and also Victoria and Jusitina
In 1996 Jay Tulloch retired from his role as manager of Southcorp's Hunter Valley operations, which included Hungerford Hill and another old Hunter name, Lindeman's Wines, as well as Tulloch
In 1997, Jay and Julia started their own boutique operation, the JYT Wine Company
Also in 1997, Keith Tulloch, descended from a different branch of the family, established his wine making company, Keith Tulloch Wines
In 2001 the opportunity arose to buy back the old family company, J.Y. Tulloch & Sons Pty Ltd from Southcorp Wines. With interest from Inglewood Vineyards, the new era of J.Y. Tulloch & Sons began, with a Tulloch once again at the helm.
Christina has now joined the company and is currently General Manager, and Jock is currently Business Development Manager for Tulloch Wines

Useful websites:

http://www.tulloch.com.au/history.cfm
http://www.keithtullochwine.com.au/

Drayton Family

Winemakers over several generations since the 1850s

This citation was read on the occasion of the Drayton families' induction into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame on 6th December 2006.

The Drayton’s are one of the region’s original winemaking families, and their companies are still family owned and operated.

The family’s Australian history can be traced back to the arrival of Joseph Drayton in Sydney in 1852. In the late 1850s, he moved to Pokolbin, and it was here that he built the Bellevue homestead and planted his first vines.

Joseph’s son, William and his descendants helped to extend the family’s interests in winemaking.

In 1947, the company W. Drayton & Sons was established, and Bellevue eventually passed into the hands of the children of four of William’s sons.

In 1997, Max Drayton celebrated 50 years in the Australian winemaking industry, and in 2003 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his achievements and contribution to the wine industry.

Today, at least three Pokolbin winemaking companies are owned and operated by members of the Drayton Family.

The Draytons are one of the region's original winemaking families.
Their companies are still family owned and operated.
Joseph Drayton, born in Lincolnshire, England in 1825, set sail for Sydney in 1852.
In the late 1850's, Joseph moved to Pokolbin with his son, Frederick, to 80 acres of land he had acquired, where he built Bellevue homestead and planted his first vines.
Joseph then married his second wife, Mary Ann Chick, and they had eight children.
One of these children, William, purchased 40 acres of land adjoining Joseph's and also planted vines.
In 1885, William married Susan Lambkin and they had ten children, amongst whom the properties were split after Joseph and William has retired.
In 1947, after numerous land acquisitions and purchases by various members of the family with the passing of time, the company W. Drayton and Sons was established, and Bellevue eventually passed into the hands of the children of four of William's sons.
The company was then run by Max, Bill, Reg, John and Ron (fourth generation descendants of Joseph) who were later joined by some of their children in the running of the business.
By this time the company was actively marketing itself as Drayton's Family Wines.
In 1989, Max Drayton and three of his sons, John, Trevor and Greg, purchased the company from other family members.
In the same year, Reg established Reg Drayton Wines, after his family sold their interest in the original Drayton Family holdings but took over sole ownership of Lambkin Estate (originally part of those family holdings) and added this to their previously owned property of Pokolbin Hills.
Reg Drayton and his wife Pam died in a plane crash in 1994, with their business now being owned and operated by daughter Robyn Drayton. In 2006 Robyn Drayton changed her business name to "Robyn Drayton Wines" and is the first female vigneron in the Drayton Family and the Hunter.
In 1996, Stephen Drayton, son of Reg and Pam, established Ivanhoe Wines.
In 1997 Max Drayton celebrated 50 years in the Australian winemaking industry, and in 2003 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his achievements and contribution to the wine industry.
Trevor Drayton died in 2008 following an explosion and fire at the family winery.
John and Greg are still actively involved in Drayton's Family Wines, as well as being heavily involved in regional wine bodies and local community organisations.
Bill Drayton continues his interest in wines with his operation Cedarside Vineyard at Mount View.

Useful websites:

www.draytonswines.com.au/
www.robyndraytonwines.com.au/robyndrayton.html
www.ivanhoewines.com.au/shop/pages.php?pageid=3

Tyrrell Family

Winemakers over several generations since the 1850s

This citation was read on the occasion of the Tyrrell families' induction into the City of Cessnock Hall of Fame on 6th December 2006.

The Tyrrells are one of the region’s original winemaking families. Their company is still family owned and operated.

The family’s winemaking origins stem from the arrival in Australia of Edward Tyrrell in 1850. His first home in Pokolbin, Ashmans, is still standing today. His first vintage was harvested in 1864.

Edward George “Dan”, eldest son of Edward, took over the running of Ashmans with Avery, Edward’s youngest son.

Murray Tyrrell, eldest son of Avery Tyrrell, was a major influence on the company, and took over from Dan in 1955.

Bruce Tyrrell, Murray ’s son, has been CEO of the company since 1974.

Tyrrell’s Wines, with vineyard holdings interstate, is a major wine producer and exporter. It has received many accolades, including Australia ’s Best Winery in 1995.

Both Murray and Bruce have been made a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for their services to the Australian wine industry.

In recent years, Jane, John and Christopher Tyrrell, children of Bruce and Pauline, have become involved with the company.

The Tyrrells are one of the region’s original winemaking families
Their company is still family owned and operated
Edward Tyrrell, born in England in 1835, arrived in Australia in 1850
After spending some time near Singleton, trying dairy farming, Edward moved to the Pokolbin area to take up one of the last available land selections
As he prepared his property, known as Ashmans, for planting, he built his first home, an ironbark slab hut which is still standing today
In 1864, the first Tyrrell's vintage was harvested
In 1869, Edward married Susan Hungerford and they had ten children
Edward George “Dan”, eldest son of Edward, started his first vintage in 1885
In 1887, Edward handed over the running of Ashmans to Dan, then aged 15, who went on to operate the winery and vineyard with Avery, Edward’s youngest son
Edward Tyrrell died at Pokolbin in 1909
Dan Tyrrell continued to run the Ashmans operation, and in time took on the Kaludah winery as well
In 1916, Avery Tyrrell returned home injured from the First World War, and started to play a part in the operations of the vineyards
Murray Tyrrell was born in 1921, eldest son of Avery Tyrrell
In 1947, the vineyard area was worked entirely by horses, taking seven weeks to plough the vineyards
Bruce Tyrrell was born in 1951, second child of Murray and Ruth Tyrrell
Murray began to take over the winemaking duties and management of the family wineries from his Uncle Dan in 1955, following armed service in the Second World War and also working as a cattle trader in NSW
Dan Tyrrell died in 1959
In 1960, following hail damage in previous years, Murray used the radical solution of using large sky rockets (imported from France ) to disperse hail clouds, which had the effect of converting potential hailstones into sleet
In 1961, Murray introduced the “Vat” labelling system
The Long Flat Red brand was introduced in 1966
In 1969, with Len Evans and nine other co-founders, Murray established Rothbury Estate
In 1971, Sparkling Moselle finally outsold Special Sweet Sherry as Tyrrell’s biggest volume seller
In 1972 the first export of 1,000 cases of wine were sent to the USA
In 1973, Murray made Australia ’s first oak-barrel fermented wine
Bruce Tyrrell joined Tyrrell’s Wines in 1974, the fourth generation of the family to join the company
Bruce wrote the wine industry’s first direct mail brochure for the Private Bin Club in 1978
In 1979, Tyrrell’s Vat 6 Pinot Noir won the prestigious Gault Millau Award for the world’s finest Pinot Noir at the Wine Olympiad in Paris , resulting in the wine being featured on the cover of Time magazine
In 1986, Murray as made a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the Australian wine industry
In 1994, Bruce became the CEO of Tyrrell’s Wines, and subsequently oversaw the expansion of the company’s vineyard holdings to interstate properties
Tyrrell’s voted Australia ’s Best Winery in 1995
Murray Tyrrell died in 2000, at a time when the company’s production increased to 850,000 cases, with over 35% being exported to 30 countries around the world
By 2002, fifth generation Jane, John and Christopher Tyrrell, children of Bruce and Pauline, were all involved and working in the company
In 2003, Bruce Tyrrell was named Hunter Valley Business Person of the Year
Andrew Spinaze, Tyrrell’s chief winemaker, wins Australian Gourmet Traveller and Winestate magazines’ Winemaker of the Year Awards