“Once our grandfather George Barker took me for a drive in his large leather upholstered ,cigar smelling, flash new black Humber. He drove through what, seemed to me back then, as wild mysterious industrial inner suburbs of Melbourne.
Eventually we arrived at what must have been a factory, but appeared to me more like some special magical world, of which I could see my Grandfather was extremely proud. I was shown firstly to his office, more cigar smells seeping out of heavy dark furniture, that poked out here and everywhere throughout the cluttered room . There were clouds of paper, paper of all types everywhere ; office business documents and, works in progress and finished samples of printed products for kitchens and parties.
Then I was taken into a room on the factory floor and introduced to a bevy of “lovely ladies”, as George might have referred to them, neatly presented in their trim pinafore uniforms perhaps resembling diner waitresses rather than factory workers. These women were busy sorting, stapling, assembling packages of things like cake wrappers, party hats and novelty items, many with shiny foil, embossed in Kimono like patterns.
The large table they bustled around was totally covered with such a vast quantity and assortment of incredibly beautiful colours and patterns that left me with an indelible influence and inspiration. Unfortunately I do not remember seeing any of the new machines or printing presses on this visit.
After the factory tour the outing ended with another first time experience for my young self; afternoon tea at the Windsor (or perhaps the Menzies hotel? ) , where I was allowed chips with tomato sauce!!! …while George chatted with business colleagues or compatriots.”
A recollection from Josephine Fletcher, granddaughter of George Barker of Barker and Co, manufacturers and designers of Cakoes and other printed products .
Eventually we arrived at what must have been a factory, but appeared to me more like some special magical world, of which I could see my Grandfather was extremely proud. I was shown firstly to his office, more cigar smells seeping out of heavy dark furniture, that poked out here and everywhere throughout the cluttered room . There were clouds of paper, paper of all types everywhere ; office business documents and, works in progress and finished samples of printed products for kitchens and parties.
Then I was taken into a room on the factory floor and introduced to a bevy of “lovely ladies”, as George might have referred to them, neatly presented in their trim pinafore uniforms perhaps resembling diner waitresses rather than factory workers. These women were busy sorting, stapling, assembling packages of things like cake wrappers, party hats and novelty items, many with shiny foil, embossed in Kimono like patterns.
The large table they bustled around was totally covered with such a vast quantity and assortment of incredibly beautiful colours and patterns that left me with an indelible influence and inspiration. Unfortunately I do not remember seeing any of the new machines or printing presses on this visit.
After the factory tour the outing ended with another first time experience for my young self; afternoon tea at the Windsor (or perhaps the Menzies hotel? ) , where I was allowed chips with tomato sauce!!! …while George chatted with business colleagues or compatriots.”
A recollection from Josephine Fletcher, granddaughter of George Barker of Barker and Co, manufacturers and designers of Cakoes and other printed products .