Cordial and Aerated Beverages

In the latter half of the 19th century, Henry Skinner and his family faced the need to adapt as the timber industry in the Tweed Valley began to decline. Henry, originally a timber-getter, had initially established himself in the region through cedar-getting, but the depletion of these timber resources prompted him to diversify. Recognizing the agricultural potential of the fertile riverbanks along the Tweed River, Henry shifted his focus to sugarcane cultivation—a strategic decision that would not only support his family but also contribute significantly to the local economy.

Around 1875, Henry acquired a property in North Tumbulgum, which he named “Inglewood.” This land provided the ideal conditions for growing sugarcane, thanks to the region's rich, alluvial soils and warm, subtropical climate. Sugarcane had been gaining popularity as a viable crop in northern New South Wales, and Henry saw the potential for a new venture that could sustain his family and offer a steady income as the demand for sugar grew in Australia and abroad. With determination, Henry and his sons began planting sugarcane on the land at Inglewood, marking a pivotal shift from timber to agriculture.

Sugarcane, however, was not just a crop that could be harvested and sold directly; it required processing to turn it into refined sugar. Not one to rely on others for processing, Henry decided to establish his own sugar mill on the property—a significant undertaking at the time. In 1876, Henry constructed a small horse-powered sugar mill at Inglewood. This mill was one of the first in the Tweed Valley and allowed the Skinners to not only process their own sugarcane but also offer milling services to neighbouring farmers who lacked the means to process their crops. With the establishment of the mill, the Skinners became a central player in the local sugar industry, helping to support and sustain the agricultural economy of the region.

The Inglewood Mill was a modest operation by today’s standards. Horse-powered and labor-intensive, it required the involvement of the entire Skinner family and their workers to operate. The mill’s primary function was to crush the harvested cane to extract the juice, which would then be boiled down to produce raw sugar. This process was both time-consuming and physically demanding, yet it enabled the Skinners to add significant value to their crops, increasing their revenue and allowing them to be more self-sufficient. The success of the Inglewood Mill quickly became apparent as neighboring farmers began bringing their cane to be processed there, establishing the Skinners not only as successful farmers but also as essential service providers in the local agricultural community.

The mill at Inglewood operated successfully for around a decade, from the mid-1870s to approximately 1885. During this period, Henry’s sons, George and Chad, took an increasingly active role in the business. As young men, they were eager to build on their father’s achievements and had visions of further expanding the family’s ventures. They recognized the importance of diversifying their operations to reduce risk and capitalize on new opportunities. The Skinners were already producing sugar at their mill, but they saw potential in taking their business a step further by using that sugar to make products with a higher profit margin.

It was George who first proposed the idea of establishing a cordial business—a decision that would prove to be a significant addition to the family’s operations. George understood that sugar was a valuable commodity not only for consumption but also as an ingredient in various beverages, including cordials and aerated drinks. To learn more about the production of these beverages, George traveled to Lismore to study cordial-making techniques. There, he gained the knowledge and skills necessary to produce a range of flavored drinks, a popular choice in an era when such beverages were still considered something of a luxury.

Upon his return from Lismore, George shared his newly acquired expertise with his brother Chad and the rest of the family. The Skinners quickly set about establishing a small cordial factory on the Inglewood property, close to their sugar mill. Chad, who had a talent for construction and organization, took on the task of building a shed that would serve as their production facility. This shed was modest in size but sufficient to house the equipment needed for cordial production, including machinery for bottling and carbonation. By 1880, the Skinners had officially launched their cordial business under the name Skinner Brothers Cordials.

The establishment of Skinner Brothers Cordials allowed the family to add significant value to their sugar production. Instead of selling raw sugar alone, they could now use it to create a range of products with a higher profit margin. Initially, they focused on producing a small selection of cordials and aerated drinks, such as ginger beer, lemonade, and fruit-flavored syrups. These beverages quickly gained popularity in the Tweed Valley, particularly among the local hotels and pubs, which were eager to offer their patrons a variety of refreshing drinks.

To distribute their cordials, the Skinners relied on the river, much as they had with their original rowboat mail service. Using a rowboat, they made regular deliveries to hotels and businesses along the river, building a reliable network of customers. Each week, the rowboat would travel up and down the Tweed, stopping at towns and settlements to deliver fresh supplies of Skinner Brothers cordials. As demand grew, the Skinners expanded their delivery routes, eventually serving the entire Tweed region and beyond.

The family’s river deliveries provided an efficient means of distribution, but the growing popularity of their cordials soon outpaced the capacity of a single rowboat. Recognizing the need for a faster and more reliable transport solution, the Skinners once again turned to their river transport business. In the late 1880s, after securing a mail contract for deliveries between Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, they were able to invest in a small steam-powered boat, the S.S. Florrie. This boat, which also served their mail route, enabled them to scale up their cordial deliveries, ensuring that hotels and retailers received fresh stock on a regular basis. The Florrie allowed them to expand their business further, reaching customers in areas that had previously been inaccessible by rowboat alone.

The cordial business flourished throughout the 1880s and 1890s, becoming an important source of income for the Skinner family. The family took pride in producing high-quality beverages, and their attention to detail and commitment to using only the finest ingredients helped them build a loyal customer base. Each bottle was carefully crafted, and the Skinners developed a reputation for consistency and quality. Over time, Skinner Brothers Cordials became known not only in the Tweed Valley but also in neighbouring regions, where word of their products spread through traveler's and visitors.

The advent of the C SR in 1878 with the concept of the large central sugar mill spelt the end for the individual farmer's mills. However according to the records, Skinners kept going until about 1885. Probably as much to provide an outlet for their sugar products from the family mill as anything Chad and his brother George decided to start manufacturing cordials. While George went to Lismore to learn the art, Chad built a shed for the factory on the family farm, "Inglewood"

The success of Skinner Brothers Cordials led the family to expand their operations beyond the original factory on the Inglewood property. As demand for their cordials and aerated drinks grew throughout the Tweed Valley, it became clear that the modest factory at Inglewood would no longer suffice. Recognizing the need for a more centralized and larger facility, the Skinner family made the decision to relocate the cordial business to Murwillumbah, a strategic move that would allow them to better serve the expanding customer base in the region.

In the early 1891, the Skinners moved the production facilities from Inglewood to a location behind their residence on Commercial Road in Murwillumbah. This new factory, located in what would come to be known as Factory Lane, provided the family with the space they needed to increase production and streamline their operations. The Commercial Road location was ideal for distribution, as it was situated close to the centre of town, making it easier to access the hotels, shops, and other establishments that were regular customers of Skinner Brothers Cordials.

The Factory Lane facility operated successfully for several decades, but as demand continued to grow, the Skinners saw the need for yet another upgrade. By the mid-1920s, they began planning for a modern, purpose-built facility that could accommodate even greater production volumes. In 1925, the family constructed a new brick factory at Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah. This state-of-the-art facility was a significant investment and represented the next stage of growth for Skinner & Lowes Cordials. The brick factory was designed to house all aspects of production, from mixing and bottling to storage and distribution, allowing the family to streamline operations and increase efficiency.

The new factory at Tumbulgum Road became a cornerstone of the Skinner family's business. The location allowed them to continue expanding their reach throughout the Tweed Valley and beyond, as they could now produce larger quantities of cordial and aerated drinks. The Skinners continued to deliver their products to local hotels, shops, and community events, and Skinner Brothers Cordials became a well-known and trusted brand in the region. The factory itself became a landmark in Murwillumbah, with the Skinners supporting the community by providing jobs and contributing to local events.

However, by the 1950s, the cordial business faced increasing competition due to the arrival of larger beverage brands and advancements in refrigeration technology. The advent of reliable refrigeration systems allowed hotels, cafes, and shops to stock new types of beverages, including Coca-Cola, which was gaining popularity in Australia. The entry of Coca-Cola into the market, with its aggressive advertising campaigns and widespread distribution network, posed a significant challenge to small, family-owned businesses like Skinner & Lowes Beverages. The availability of refrigerated soft drinks began to shift consumer preferences, as people increasingly chose these new products over traditional cordials.

Realizing the need to adapt to the changing market, the Skinners secured a Coca-Cola franchise to continue their business in the face of rising competition. They saw this as an opportunity to leverage Coca-Cola’s established brand and distribution channels while still maintaining a local presence in the beverage industry. However, despite their efforts, the Skinners were ultimately unable to secure the franchise. Without access to the Coca-Cola brand, they found it increasingly difficult to compete in the evolving market.

The factory at Tumbulgum Road continued to operate through the 1960s, but the business began to contract as sales declined. The Skinners found it challenging to compete with larger, corporate beverage brands, and consumer preferences had shifted significantly. By the 1970s, it became clear that the business was no longer sustainable. The Skinners made the difficult decision to close the cordial operation, marking the end of an era for Skinner Brothers Cordials, which had been a staple of the Tweed Valley for nearly a century.

After the business closed, the brick factory on Tumbulgum Road was eventually sold. In a symbolic end to the Skinner family’s long history in the cordial business, the factory building was purchased by the local council, which demolished it to make way for the construction of the new civic center. The Civic Centre now stands on the site of what was once Skinner Brothers Cordials, serving as a lasting reminder of the family’s contributions to the community.

The legacy of Skinner Brothers Cordials is remembered fondly in the Tweed Valley, where many older residents still recall the taste of their ginger beer, lemonade, and other classic flavours. The Skinners’ journey from timber-getting to sugar milling, and finally to cordial production, is a testament to their adaptability, resilience, and commitment to serving their community. Although the business eventually closed, the story of Skinner Brothers Cordials endures as part of the rich heritage of the Tweed Valley, symbolizing the entrepreneurial spirit of the region’s early settlers.

In many ways, the Skinner family’s cordial business was a testament to their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Faced with the decline of the timber industry, they had successfully transitioned to agriculture and manufacturing, creating a diversified business that served the needs of their community. Their ability to adapt to changing circumstances and seize new opportunities helped them build a legacy that would endure for generations. The cordial business, alongside their sugar mill and river transport services, became one of the cornerstones of the Tweed Valley’s early economy, contributing to the development and prosperity of the region.

The Skinner family's journey from timber to sugar and cordials reflects the spirit of adaptation and perseverance that characterized the early settlers of the Tweed Valley. Through hard work and ingenuity, they built a diversified business that met the needs of their community and left a lasting mark on the history of the region. Today, the story of Skinner Brothers Cordials serves as a reminder of the important role that local entrepreneurs played in building the foundations of modern industry in rural Australia. Their legacy lives on in the memories of those who enjoyed their products and in the stories passed down through generations, preserving the rich heritage of the Tweed Valley.

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