Every town has or had a bakery,
Bunyips bakery is one to be remembered today , many still wish for one of those pies that they had all those years ago,
The Bakery ovens up the hill worked hard from the early 1900s, with the smell of fresh bread drifting down the street long before sunrise.
Warm loaves, crusty rolls, sweet cakes and hot pastry
The bakery’s known story stretches across around seventy years, beginning with Henry Rodger, remembered as one of Bunyip’s early bakers, with the bakery established in 1903. Others followed through the years, including the Ruff family in 1931, Thomas Hogan in 1934, Colin Switzer in 1946, and others and later in 1952 Jack Atkinson, whose years are especially fondly remembered by many locals.
For those who knew the Jack Atkinson years, the bakery was famous for the good things in life — pies, pasties and sausage rolls that seemed to taste better than anywhere else.
Then there was the bread.
Many still remember going in the shop at 27 Main for a fresh loaf, especially a pipe loaf, often called a tank loaf. Crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and hard to resist on the walk home. More than one person likely tore the end off before reaching the kitchen table.
The rolls were perfect for school lunches or the evening meal.
Behind the counter and out the back, bakery life was hard work.
Days often began at midnight while the rest of the town slept. Dough was mixed, ovens fired, trays loaded, and bread stacked ready for the morning rush.
A memory from Gaye around 1972 helping Kev deliver bread to Longwarry, working from midnight to morning,
Another memory , 17 year old Des Heatley , One of his jobs was carrying bread down from the ovens on his shoulder and slipping off his shoes at the back door of the house. He did this for eighteen months — enough to know bakery work was not for him.
Like many family businesses of the day, there were strong personalities too. It was said Jean Atkinson was the glue that stuck it all together.
The bakery also had its lighter moments. A white cockatoo named Clarence lived in the yard and was known to call out:“Don’t do it, Rodney! Rodney, don’t do it!”Rodney was a young boy who lived at the bakery with his family. One day, when Rodney was home sick with the measles, Clarence revealed the reason for his calls.“Why do you leave me every day? I get lonely.”Rodney promised to find Clarence a friend, and before long the yard was filled with the happy chatter of two companions.
Everyone needs a friend.
And in a lovely link to the past, the original ovens from Henry Rodger’s bakery years are said to still be preserved today at Swan Hills Pioneer Settlement.
Through the years, 27 and 28 Main Street have been home to many different folk — an eighteen-year-old dressmaker’s shop, weekly visits by Mr M Davine Barrister solicitor’s and Conveyancer, a milk bar, a patchwork and craft shop, the Community House, and homes for many local people.
Today, the old building is being lovingly restored once more, ready to begin a new chapter as the home of a dentist.
The 27- 28 Main Street Bakery ovens may be quiet now, but the Bakery down the Street is busy.
Our memories may be faded and you may have your own stories to add to this post
I look forward to reading them
Happy Monday everyone#storybydaffy#picbyai#lovelawayshenry♥️