Margins memories linger on
Beard Watsons, Nock and Kirbys, Farmers, Grace Bros, Repins Coffee Shops and Chequers Nightclub; Margins Soft Drinks, Margins Ice Cream and Margins Cordial.
Yes, all of these are long gone, yet their names linger on with fond memories.
Some people will quibble about linking these firms with a family company in a small country town like Woy Woy, but each performed a vital role in the city and country, and each left a sadness and yearning for old times when their doors finally closed.
Most people of my vintage can recall the occasional visit to Sydney to shop at Grace Bros on Broadway or to have a cup of coffee or tea with cinnamon toast at one of Repins Coffee Shops.
Just as many will recall feasting on a threepenny cone of ice cream, a drink of Kolade, Barrenjoey Dry or Ginger Beer and ice cream from Margins.
Hubert Charles Margin started manufacturing soft drinks on the site in Blackwall Rd in 1914 and gave his name to the soft drinks, as well as the ice cream and cordials produced in later years.
The factory used to run its own power plant until electricity was connected to Woy Woy in 1929.
Production of ice commenced in 1926 with up to 24 tonnes a day being sold by vendors for delivery to private homes and local businesses.
An automatic vending machine was also located at the front of the factory where fishermen and holidaymakers could pick up a block of ice for two bob in the slot.
For the production of soft drinks and ice, underground water was pumped from two blocks of land in Edward St.
The spearpoint pumps went down 17 feet and the water was clear, soft and plentiful.
A filtration plant ensured the purity and quality of the final product.
Exotic ingredients such as ginger, cloves, cocoa and lime juice were imported from Uganda and the West Indies.
In those days, the Central Coast had a thriving citrus industry which meant that Margins were able to squeeze their own orange, lemon and grapefruit juice for use in their soft drinks and cordials.
Ice cream was produced from an old fashioned recipe with milk being transported in the cool of the evening from Morpeth and then poured into huge churns where the various flavours and other ingredients such as real strawberries and fruit salad were added.
Bulk chocolate was obtained from Smalls to make chocolate-coated ice creams.
In the early days, deliveries would be made to Pearl Beach and Patonga by horse and cart, with the stable located at the rear of the factory.
Records were kept of each horse's age, working life, shoes and nails. (No such records were kept of the salesmen.)
During World War II, it was difficult to employ male staff as most men had enlisted.
Production of ice was deemed an essential industry and, to keep the business going, the production and distribution of ice cream and soft drinks was taken over by women.
During the 50s and 60s, Margins employed up to 70 staff with nine trucks delivering an average 4000 cases of soft drink a day during the summer period.
In addition, three trucks delivered ice cream throughout the Central Coast until that side of the business was finally sold to Peters in 1956.
Schoolchildren used to visit the factory and sample some of the products to give them an insight into the manufacturing process.
The original founder Hubert Margin was a foundation member of Woy Woy Bowling Club and an alderman on Woy Woy Shire Council.
He was also an active member of Woy Woy Masonic Lodge.
One of his sons, namely Charlie, was later appointed general manager and another son, Fred, took over the production of cordials.
The third son, Jack, became a Qantas pilot after a stint in the RAAF.
His only daughter, May, married a local boy, Bob Winsor, who joined the firm upon his return from the war.
In 1953, Charlie's son, Colin, joined Fred Margin in running the company following the early death of his father.
Then in 1974 Colin's son, Kim, was appointed sales manager making him the fourth generation to carry on the business.
In the spirit of serving the community as exemplified by his great grandfather, Kim was elected an alderman on Gosford Council and later served as mayor for a time.
Production finally ceased in 1985 when Coca Cola acquired the business and what remains today are the old sheds and some of the machinery.
Letter, 10 Sep 2009
Fred Landman, Daley's Point