Remember when

MOST of us would remember Alan Jackson’s brilliant country million seller “Remember When” released in 2003, however I’d like to take you back to 1895 when Australian Company H. C. Sleigh established an import/export business in Melbourne.

Mr Sleigh imported Californian motor spirit to Australia and marketed it as Golden Fleece, I believe with assistance from their own shipping company.

The current generation of ladies with their ponytail hair styles and blokes with their crested canary haircuts would not remember the golden Merino Ram (modelled by David of Dalkeith) being the company’s trade mark which became a familiar and comforting symbol to the motorist at service stations on the eastern seaboard in the early fifties.

Golden Fleece was ahead of its time providing its own type of unique service stations.

H. C. Sleigh refined its distribution methods, retail distribution methods, training programs and marketing material methods.

Golden Fleece was the first to introduce high standard restaurant facilities for locals and travellers and which became the largest in Australia.

Many followed.

In 1981 H. C. Sleigh Petroleum division was sold to Caltex which allowed the restaurants to slide into obscurity with a focus on petroleum goods.

This was not a wise decision and Caltex relaunched the restaurant facility in the late 1980s thereby regaining loyalty and profitability.

Customers were appreciative of the quality food and beverage outlets when travelling particularly in country areas.

Harold Crofton Sleigh as Golden Fleece founder passed away and was succeeded by Hamilton Sleigh.

Well may we remember the large golden ram perched prominently above the red and gold Golden Fleece sign at strategically positioned servos.

Thanks to the Sleigh family for what became an important chapter in Australian history.

ERROL SPENCE, Blue Mountain Heights