973
Wheatley's Store
Main
Collection SummaryWheatley’s Store
1892-1953
Reconstruction
DescriptionOpened in 1892, Wheatley’s Store on The Crescent, Fairfield was established by George M.P. Wheatley. His first business on Hamilton Road, Fairfield West, had prospered to such an extent since its commencement in the 1880s, that he moved to larger premises at The Crescent, opposite the railway station.
George and his wife Mary Anne had five children: Reg, Roy, Les, Greta and Winnie. Reg was the first of the sons to work in the store, and then Roy began to sell lollies from a small counter in the corner of the store. In 1904 Roy accepted the agency for the Sydney Morning Herald with six copies of the daily paper for sale. In 1909 when the railway station gave up the mail service, Roy Wheatley also became postmaster.
In 1914 Roy had the Central Buildings constructed next door, and at that time he was the first local newsagent, stationer, confectioner, hairdresser and tobacconist. In 1922 George had a new building constructed between the original store and the Central Buildings, into which he extended his shop. Hardware and groceries were displayed on the left hand side and haberdashery and millinery on the opposite side.
After leasing the Central Buildings to Don Campbell, Roy worked with his father in the original store, which was a typical general store the local supplier of everything from wheelbarrows to herrings in tomato sauce. Almost everything came in bulk quantities and had to be weighed out and packaged for customers.
The entire family eventually worked at the store, including Roy, Les, Reg, Greta, and Winnie. The shop always traded under the name ‘M.A. Wheatley’, M.A. being the initials of their mother, Mary Anne. For many years, the Wheatley’s made deliveries around the area in a horse drawn sulky, and in 1929 the family purchased a Ford truck to use for deliveries.
From 1929, during the Great Depression, many customers exchanged coupons for food at Wheatley’s Store. Government coupons were issued by the local police station, since thousands of people had become unemployed and struggled with little or no money for food.
We came to Canley Vale during the Depression in 1929… my father lost his job on the railway, along with thousands of others… We lived in a three room, bag shack with dirt floors.
Heather Crosland (nee Patterson)
On 8 April 1932, Wheatley’s advertisement in The Biz noted ‘Remember we accept relief coupons, under strict Government supervision’. These could be exchanged for staple items such as bread, butter, meat, tea, sugar, jam, milk, cheese, and soap.
Roy Wheatley is remembered as a gentle, softly spoken gentleman who knew how to treat his customers, and who often gave credit to customers in need. Broken biscuits in a paper bag could be bought for a penny, or would be given away free to children. Pamela Bennett (nee Pament-Lee) remembers that ‘On the way to school, a penny bought a big bag of broken biscuits for playlunch…’
Wheatley was renowned for his bags of boiled sweets, which he often gave to local children. Tom O’Donnell remembered that in the early 1940s, Roy Wheatley would ask Tom’s mother if Tom had been a good boy. If so, Roy would give Tom a small paper bag containing a few boiled sweets. Another shopper Elsie Friend (nee Briggs) said:
I remember my parents driving a horse and sulky to Fairfield from Carramar to do our shopping in Wheatley’s General Store. In those days the grocer always put a bag of sweets in the grocery order, all the children looked forward to this treat.
George Wheatley died in 1941 and his obituary noted ‘…many would see him in apron with broom, early every morning preparing for the day. A coin from his pocket relieved many a passer-by in search of refreshment…’
In the early 1950s competition from the nearby Pattens Store, which sold cut price groceries, forced Roy Wheatley to sell the store, ending 61 years of the Wheatley retail dynasty.
The Wheatley’s Store in the village reflects the character of the store about 1932, with the soundscape portraying a local shopper Mrs Patterson purchasing items from Roy Wheatley. In that year Wheatley’s advertised regularly in The Biz newspaper, listing a diverse range of goods for sale including concrete tubs, eggs, Berger paint, Sherwood Jams packed in glass jars, flower pots, Rosella tomato soup, deck chairs and tea.
The Wheatley's shop facades ranging from buildings 87 to 97 on the Crescent have been heritage listed in Fairfield City Council's Local Environmental Plan.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (87 The Crescent):
Much altered example of a Federation period commecial façade. Still one of the best survving commercial buildings in the City. Of historical significance for its assocaition with Roy Wheatly. This was the major store in Fairfield early in the century. Its uses included a temporary council chambers. Local significance.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (93-95 The Crescent):
Well preserved example of an Inter-War period shop parapet. Of historical significance for its association with George Wheatley, an alderman and pioneer storekeeper of Fairfield. Local significance.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (97 The Crescent):
Good example of a late Victorian period shop parapet. Historical significance for its association with the Wheatley family. Local significance.
1892-1953
Reconstruction
DescriptionOpened in 1892, Wheatley’s Store on The Crescent, Fairfield was established by George M.P. Wheatley. His first business on Hamilton Road, Fairfield West, had prospered to such an extent since its commencement in the 1880s, that he moved to larger premises at The Crescent, opposite the railway station.
George and his wife Mary Anne had five children: Reg, Roy, Les, Greta and Winnie. Reg was the first of the sons to work in the store, and then Roy began to sell lollies from a small counter in the corner of the store. In 1904 Roy accepted the agency for the Sydney Morning Herald with six copies of the daily paper for sale. In 1909 when the railway station gave up the mail service, Roy Wheatley also became postmaster.
In 1914 Roy had the Central Buildings constructed next door, and at that time he was the first local newsagent, stationer, confectioner, hairdresser and tobacconist. In 1922 George had a new building constructed between the original store and the Central Buildings, into which he extended his shop. Hardware and groceries were displayed on the left hand side and haberdashery and millinery on the opposite side.
After leasing the Central Buildings to Don Campbell, Roy worked with his father in the original store, which was a typical general store the local supplier of everything from wheelbarrows to herrings in tomato sauce. Almost everything came in bulk quantities and had to be weighed out and packaged for customers.
The entire family eventually worked at the store, including Roy, Les, Reg, Greta, and Winnie. The shop always traded under the name ‘M.A. Wheatley’, M.A. being the initials of their mother, Mary Anne. For many years, the Wheatley’s made deliveries around the area in a horse drawn sulky, and in 1929 the family purchased a Ford truck to use for deliveries.
From 1929, during the Great Depression, many customers exchanged coupons for food at Wheatley’s Store. Government coupons were issued by the local police station, since thousands of people had become unemployed and struggled with little or no money for food.
We came to Canley Vale during the Depression in 1929… my father lost his job on the railway, along with thousands of others… We lived in a three room, bag shack with dirt floors.
Heather Crosland (nee Patterson)
On 8 April 1932, Wheatley’s advertisement in The Biz noted ‘Remember we accept relief coupons, under strict Government supervision’. These could be exchanged for staple items such as bread, butter, meat, tea, sugar, jam, milk, cheese, and soap.
Roy Wheatley is remembered as a gentle, softly spoken gentleman who knew how to treat his customers, and who often gave credit to customers in need. Broken biscuits in a paper bag could be bought for a penny, or would be given away free to children. Pamela Bennett (nee Pament-Lee) remembers that ‘On the way to school, a penny bought a big bag of broken biscuits for playlunch…’
Wheatley was renowned for his bags of boiled sweets, which he often gave to local children. Tom O’Donnell remembered that in the early 1940s, Roy Wheatley would ask Tom’s mother if Tom had been a good boy. If so, Roy would give Tom a small paper bag containing a few boiled sweets. Another shopper Elsie Friend (nee Briggs) said:
I remember my parents driving a horse and sulky to Fairfield from Carramar to do our shopping in Wheatley’s General Store. In those days the grocer always put a bag of sweets in the grocery order, all the children looked forward to this treat.
George Wheatley died in 1941 and his obituary noted ‘…many would see him in apron with broom, early every morning preparing for the day. A coin from his pocket relieved many a passer-by in search of refreshment…’
In the early 1950s competition from the nearby Pattens Store, which sold cut price groceries, forced Roy Wheatley to sell the store, ending 61 years of the Wheatley retail dynasty.
The Wheatley’s Store in the village reflects the character of the store about 1932, with the soundscape portraying a local shopper Mrs Patterson purchasing items from Roy Wheatley. In that year Wheatley’s advertised regularly in The Biz newspaper, listing a diverse range of goods for sale including concrete tubs, eggs, Berger paint, Sherwood Jams packed in glass jars, flower pots, Rosella tomato soup, deck chairs and tea.
The Wheatley's shop facades ranging from buildings 87 to 97 on the Crescent have been heritage listed in Fairfield City Council's Local Environmental Plan.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (87 The Crescent):
Much altered example of a Federation period commecial façade. Still one of the best survving commercial buildings in the City. Of historical significance for its assocaition with Roy Wheatly. This was the major store in Fairfield early in the century. Its uses included a temporary council chambers. Local significance.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (93-95 The Crescent):
Well preserved example of an Inter-War period shop parapet. Of historical significance for its association with George Wheatley, an alderman and pioneer storekeeper of Fairfield. Local significance.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (97 The Crescent):
Good example of a late Victorian period shop parapet. Historical significance for its association with the Wheatley family. Local significance.
Photograph
Person / Family
Details
DisclaimerStatements of Significance has been sourced from the State Heritage InventoryExternal link87 The Crescent - State Heritage Inventory93-95 The Crescent - State Heritage Inventory97 The Crescent - State Heritage Inventory
Connections
PeopleWheatley FamilySuburbFairfield (Suburb)Place[1] 87 The Crescent, FairfieldCollectionVintage VillageHeritage Listed Sites
Wheatley's Store. Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 11/02/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/973