Boolaroo Bulletin Centenary Issue

Owner of Frith's stores at Boolaroo, Teralba, Toronto and Warners Bay, 'TC' (a term widely used with respect and affection) displayed benign paternalism towards his employees, thus generating loyalty and lengthy periods of service. A similar regard was also extended to his many customers with respect and loyalty.

The Beginning - When the Sulphide Corporation built a vast new plant at Cockle Creek, Boolaroo in 1897, Thomas could see the business potential and decided to establish a store nearby. Settlement of the district had commenced in 1896, and although only a 'rag and bag' camp at the time the workforce and their families required food and clothing. Thomas purchased a large block of land at Boolaroo on the corner of Main Road and First Street, the latter then being the main road to Cockle Creek which was crossed by a punt, prior to the building of Watkins Bridge in 1899. After clearing ti-tree scrub and bushland, the new Boolaroo store of T.C. Frith & Co. was erected. Apart from the newly constructed buildings of Sulphide Corporation, there was very little development in the district although this was soon to change. By 1899 there were over 400 employed at the Sulphide Corporation Works. A considerable financial outlay had been required to stock the new store with groceries, hardware and produce but soon TC was able to purchase an adjoining block for future extensions. As business improved, an additional two adjoining blocks were purchased.

Transport - In those days before motor vehicles there was a great demand for fodder, especially from the nearby coal mines at Teralba where pit ponies were used to haul coal to the shaft or tunnel. This was to play a major role in the business for many years. Tom Frith would arrange for supplies of fodder from western NSW to be consigned to Cockle Creek Station where it would be off-loaded and collected by horse and dray. TC Frith spent many days travelling around the countryside on horseback or by horse and cart, contacting customers and new arrivals to the district. He sought business with a dogged tenacity and when rail gangs or fettlers established their 'tent cities' miles away from Boolaroo he called regularly to obtain their custom, usually offering them fortnightly credit. He advertised: "I do not offer anything at cut prices to attract your custom. We hope that by dependable goods and faithful service to retain the confidence and continued support of the people". The firm offered a free weekly service from the earliest days. This covered a vast area including Swansea, Nords Wharf and Cams Wharf, also to Catherine Hill Bay and two nearby mining settlements of Middle and Mine Camp. The firm's Order Man would leave Boolaroo on horseback on Monday morning, travelling to Catherine Hill Bay and other places en-route. As well as obtaining orders for groceries and other goods, the Order Man would collect payment from customers who were given fortnightly credit. He would then ride to Swansea and stay overnight at the Hotel. On Tuesday morning he would collect orders and money from the Swansea district and in the afternoon would make his way to Boolaroo, through thick bush via Belmont and Warners Bay. Most of his return trip would be on lonely bush tracks and although carrying a ccmsiderable sum of money, not once was the Order Man robbed.It is said that the Order Man received a bonus of 2/Od(20c) a day as 'bushranging' money. Each order would be packed in brown paper bags, labelled and taken to the jetty, either at the end of Second Street or at Speers Point where they would be taken by launch and barge to Swansea, then the contract delivery man would complete the delivery. Other deliveries from the Boolaroo Store were made by horse and cart.

Economic Downturn - The bank failure of 1893 had ushered in some years of hardship and once again the period of 1904-6 saw a similar economic downturn resulting in extensive unemployment. Work was virtually nonexistent and TC encouraged unemployed men to seek work wherever possible. He pledged to feed their families while there was food on the premises. Reassured, the unemployed travelled far afield seeking work, even to Canada and South Africa. Some returned years later and others sent for their families. Yet one and all made every effort to pay their debts and even after twenty five years or so, money was still being received by thc firm from all over the world.

Expansion - Intent on expansion, Tom Frith decided to open another store at Teralba. As the business grew the shop was enlarged and in 1912 new premises were erected on the corner of York Street and Anzac Parade. In 1915 Thomas and wife Maria decided to purchase 96 acres (39ha) of land in Boolaroo, extending from Seventh Street south to Speers Point Park. The land was sold over a period of time for residential subdivisions and recreation purposes.

TC Frith was elected to Lake Macquarie Shire Council and again for the 1920-22 term. Councillor TC Frith was elected unopposed as Prusident on 16.2.1920. Coincidentally, these were the years of his activity in the formation of the Ambulance Service. Councillor Frith was not only involved with the formation of an Ambulance Service whilst on Council. He is given credit as the prime mover for connection of the electricity supply to Boolaroo and Speers Point. In the early years of the twentieth century lighting of premises was usually by kerosene lamp, candle or various types of gas, all inferior to electric lighting. In 1918 a meeting was held in the Sulphide Hall during which TC Frith advised that the Sulphide Corporation was willing to supply bulk electricity to the suburbs for street lighting and domestic purposes. Attempting to generate community support, Councillor Frith advised the meeting that the Corporation 'had made a very generous offer and the people of (the) district were very fortunate'. The Boolaroo Bowling Club, another of Thomas Frith's projects, was formed to provide recreation for the men of Boolaroo.

Acknowledgement: Dulcie Hartley ""Frith's" A Century of Service" published by Robert Hamilton Hill 1997.