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Former Swallow & Ariell Biscuit Factory

Location Cnr Stokes & Rouse Streets,, PORT MELBOURNE VIC 3207 - Property No B0207 File Number B0207 Level State

[1/1] B0207 Swallow & Ariell Biscuit

Statement of Significance

Swallow and Ariell, founded in 1854, is one of the state's earliest steam-powered manufacturers and one of its earliest factories of any description. It quickly became the largest biscuit maker in the state, diversifying into agriculture, sugar refining, flour milling and fruit and vegetable preserving and becoming an almost completely vertical operation, making it unique amongst its competitors. Swallow and Ariell products were used on the Bourke and Wills and Mawson expeditions, the Western Australian and Queensland gold rushes, and in every war in which Australia took part. By 1907 it was described as the best-known food producer in Australia.
Swallow and Ariell is the oldest, largest and most intact food processing complex in the state, and demonstrates an uninterupted sequence of factory development on the one site from 1858 to present times. It is of considerable local significance also as one of Port Melbourne's largest employers of men, women and children and a focus of community life.
Classification includes the entire complex bounded by Rouse, Stokes, Beach and Princes Streets and the 1884/5 office building on the opposite corner of Stokes and Rouse Streets.
Classified: 'Regional' 17/07/1958
Revised: 12/06/1991