Harvey Fruit Packing Shed Historic Site 1914
- Hayward Street, Harvey WA 6220, Australia
- Open 24 hours
Harvey Fruit Packing Shed Historic Site 1914
The Harvey Fruit Packing shed was established by the Associated Fruitgrowers’ Ltd. in the railway yard in 1914.
Frank J Becher and Mr Ramage, a Government expert fruit packer, were in charge. Harvey oranges were graded, individually wrapped, and packed before being transported by rail to market. More than 900 cases could be packed daily by nine packers.,
Built by Stone Bros and Deveraus, the 60ft. by 40ft shed abutted on the station yard siding, allowing fruit loading to occur directly from the shed into the trucks.
In late 1916, the Railway Department contemplated moving the Goods Shed and the Packing Shed to allow for two extra rail loops.
In 1918, the Harvey Producers’ Co-operative Ltd. was formed and re-opened the shed and rail once again became the primary mover of citrus.
A few years later, the Co-op purchased Harris and Moore’s grocery shop, owned by E Roesner, on Uduc Road. They also bought a block from Roesner and moved the shed on whim wheels.
In 1925, the Co-op built a larger store next to the original shop. Both shops were burned down in the early 1930s when the present brick building was erected.
Meet Eric Davis
Eric George Davis’ efforts opened Harvey’s agriculture industry to Perth.
Originally from England, he arrived in Harvey in 1916 and worked as a farm labourer before becoming manager of the Co-operative Packing Shed in 1918.
The following year, he was appointed Secretary-Manager of the Harvey Co-operative Store.
From 1928, he was one of those who pioneered the sending of chilled milk to Perth, as well as serving as a Director of the Potato Distribution Ltd, the forerunner of the Potato Marketing Board.
In the 1930s, he took over as manager of Alfred Snell’s stores, later buying this business that operated as Eric Davis and Son.
Later in life, he was elected a Harvey Road Board member and involved in the Agricultural Society and the War Memorial Library.
