In 1941 The Advocate published an artist’s impression of a new Ovaltine factory at Quoiba (near Devonport) in Tasmania.
SOURCE – ADVOCATE, DEC 15 1941
Ovaltine was essentially made from barley, eggs and milk, which Tasmania could produce in the necessary quantities despite wartime restrictions. Most people used it as a comforting hot drink;
Ovaltine was popular the world over.
The factory’s official opening in 1943 was attended by the Premier Mr. Cosgrove. He called it Tasmania’s finest factory, which must have delighted Frederick Barnes, the General Manager.
It’s always good to expand a product’s market;
![Ovaltine recipes]](https://i0.wp.com/paulineconolly.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-09-075948.png)
GOOD GRIEF…OVALTINE JUNKET!
Ovaltine became part of Tassie’s social fabric. There was even an Ovaltine radio show on Launceston’s 7EX, where young listeners could write in and become an ‘Ovaltiney’; At the Devonport show the company sponsored The Ovaltine Cup for dairy cows. The following photo is of the 1950 winner. I must say it’s difficult to decide who looks more miserable, the cow or the little boy. 😨
THAT CHILD LOOKS AS THOUGH HE HAS EATEN TOO MUCH OVALTINE JUNKET!
One unfortunate episode in the history of the factory reached its climax in March 1949. Ex-General Manager Frederick Barnes and his chief accountant Harold Rosevear were taken to court by Ovaltine’s parent company, Wander Ltd. It was alleged that Barnes had bought a farm and sold the milk he produced to the factory at an excessive cost. Barnes and Rosevear had also founded Quoiba Transport, which delivered the whole of Ovaltine’s milk supply at rates fifty per cent higher than the going rate. The company was awarded £2,000 damages.
On a more positive note, this has to be my favourite Ovaltine story. It was related at a function by Bob Menzies’ daughter Heather after the family returned from attending the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth.
Queen Salote, royal wedding guest and big fan of Ovaltine!
Throughout the 1950s and 60s the factory was a popular spot for school excursions. No comparison to Cadbury’s of course, but those free Ovaltine tablets delighted the kids.
I’m not sure when the company ceased production in Tasmania, but I think it was in the late 1980 or early 90s. The building stood empty for many years and in 2023, it was demolished, pronounced structurally unsound due to concrete cancer. What a sad sight.
REDUCED TO RUBBLE
THE DRINK WAS INVENTED BY A SWEDISH PHARMACIST TO COMBAT MALNUTRITION. Note the original name of Ovo- Maltine, ‘ovo’ referring to egg.
Good grief. It certainly went through some dark times which I didn’t know about. I confess I always preferred Horlicks to Ovaltine, but having read your post, that wretched Ovaltiney song is now going to go through my head for the rest of the day! I’m sure you know the one that starts “we are the Ovaltiney’s little girls and boys…”
Oh yes, I’ll add the link to the song.