Dunlop Factory’s hockey team, the Skippers in 1950; Clair Parr, Jessie Hill, Ina Adlington (captain), Beryl Grady, Laurel Cheney, Shirley Simpson, Dossie Parr, (front) Barbara Moore, June Moore, Joan Pendrick, and Wilma Murray. Photo: Sherry Morris Collection.
The Dunlop Factory at the corner of Murray and Forsyth Streets opened in Wagga in 1943 during World War II. Originally it was used as a munitions factory, making fuses for the military but it later made military uniforms.
After the Second World War, the factory was converted to civilian trade and additional plant was installed. The Dunlops Weatherproof Factory after the war continued to manufacture military uniforms at least until 1947 and shipped all finished products to Sydney by road and train. It also produced quality gabardine trench coats, army battle jackets, great coats, police overcoats, women’s skirts, shorts, the ‘whites’ for the Davis Cup Tennis teams and clothes for the Snowy Mountains Commission. It closed in 1977.
Recreational pursuits were popular among the mainly female employees, with the factory fielding teams in a variety of sports including cricket, basketball and hockey. Parties and picnics also featured on the recreational list, with the annual Christmas party being a particularly popular event.
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