With a long family history in wool, Fox & Lillie Rural are committed to their future in the New England, with the official opening late last month of their new premises in Uralla.
The Lillie family has a long history in wool, dating back to 1918 when Cyril Lillie commenced work at the woollen mills in Bradford, England after serving in WWI at Gallipoli and France. He later returned to Australia where he joined the wool firm WM Houghton & Co as a wool buyer. The Second World War broke out and again he served his country. After the war, he founded Fox & Lillie with Rhys Fox.
Since its inception, Fox & Lillie have been involved in wool processing and value adding. In 1948 the company was purely producing scoured and carbonised wool for the European and UK woollen trade. Over the years, Fox & Lillie have successfully owned numerous scouring, carbonising and top making plants in Victoria. In 1972 James Lillie Senior set up a direct wool buying store in Skipton, Victoria, more stores were to following, including the branch in Uralla.
Now under the guidance of Jonathan and James Lillie, Fox & Lillie has diversified significantly from the largely carding wool focus of the early years. The combing wool section of Fox & Lillie now trades in all fleece types and has built strong business links with all major buyers.
The decision for the company to move from the old store was not a hard one.
“Looking like a hangover from a Charles Dickens novel, it would be fair to say the old store had seen better days,” said Managing Director Jonathan Lillie at the official opening.
“Indeed it had seen better days 30 years ago.
“It would be drawing a long bow to suggest that this new store is not well overdue, and believe me, these boys have earned it.
“Many people have worked hard to undertake the development of this new store.
“Foremost in its development has been Rod Chenoweth.
“Rod operates within our business as our go to man, as this building demonstrates.
“From the building’s inception, with the assistance in land acquisition from local real estate agent Peter Ryan, to its planning and design with willing assistance from Uralla Shire Council, we say thank you,” said Jonathan Lillie.
“We thank all our clients for their past support and we look forward to a strong future together.
“We feel privileged to be part of the world renowned wool growing district of New England.”
