Christian Sander, his wife and three daughters, arrived in Brisbane aboard the Japanese steamer “Aki Maru” in December 1923.1 Sander, an Estonian national, told of colourful adventures in escaping from the Bolshevik regime in Russia.2
Circa 1926 Sander commenced the production and sale of ice-cream in a small premises in Victoria Street, Taree. The success of this venture led, in 1927, to the formation of a company, Sander’s Ltd, which commenced the manufacture of ice-cream and cheese at a factory built on land Sander had purchased in Florence Street, near the entrance to the Taree Showground (via a bridge over Brown’s Creek). 3
In 1931 additions were made to the factory to allow an expansion into butter making.4
However, Sander’s interests were not confined to Taree: he was trading extensively in Sydney and exporting to Shanghai.
In late 1932 Sander’s Dairies Ltd rose from the ashes of a liquidated Sander’s Ltd, but his business was impacted by a high profile bankruptcy case in early 1934 when many trading irregularities were uncovered.5
In November 1936 the Manning River Dairy Society bought out Sander’s Dairies Ltd6 and today (2018) the site is occupied by a vehicle salvage yard.
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 Morning Bulletin Monday 24 December 1923, 14
2 The Age Friday 9 February 1934, 6
3 Manning River Times Saturday 20 August 1927, 7
4 Northern Champion Saturday 4 July 1931, 4
5 Manning River Times Wednesday 14 February 1934, 1
6 Wingham Chronicle Friday 6 November 1936, 1
