Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Moderator: PRT 065

Forum rules
  • A topic icon must be used with the thread title of all threads.
  • No more than 10 photos per post with a maximum of 50 in any one page in a thread.
  • Maximum photo width 1000 pixels.
  • For full photo rules and how to attach photos see viewtopic.php?f=10&t=28459
  • Thank you :)
User avatar
Bedford-29
Posts: 4942
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:31 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Post by Bedford-29 »

Here is a picture that might interest you a Leader with a Hedges Star Liner body there another Leader bus that was kicking around Geelong many years ago.Picture from the Leon Batman collection. http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... pos=-15202
Previoulsy known as United Diesel 15
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Post by Denv12 »

Some adverts for Domino Industries.
Attachments
6.117 (406 x 272).jpg
6.117 (406 x 272).jpg (35.23 KiB) Viewed 21839 times
CAM00495 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00495 (507 x 676).jpg (68.63 KiB) Viewed 22110 times
CAM00492 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00492 (507 x 676).jpg (85.13 KiB) Viewed 22110 times
CAM00491 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00491 (507 x 676).jpg (68.91 KiB) Viewed 22110 times
CAM00490 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00490 (507 x 676).jpg (66.53 KiB) Viewed 22110 times
CAM00486 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00486 (507 x 676).jpg (85.6 KiB) Viewed 22122 times
CAM00481 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00481 (507 x 676).jpg (75.24 KiB) Viewed 22122 times
CAM00480 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00480 (507 x 676).jpg (70.25 KiB) Viewed 22122 times
CAM00479 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00479 (507 x 676).jpg (70.56 KiB) Viewed 22122 times
CAM00478 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00478 (507 x 676).jpg (69.53 KiB) Viewed 22122 times
Last edited by Denv12 on Sun Feb 23, 2014 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Post by Denv12 »

system improver wrote:It would appear the Athol Hedges was born around 1915 and lived in NSW. He moved to Brisbane some time in the late 30s and worked at Hornibrook Highway Bus Service and was involved in the construction of their home made buses. By 1947, he was in business for himself and was building buses for the BCC and private operators (including Hornibrook). He entered into an agreement with Comeng in 1950 to become an "associated company" where sharing of work and matters such as production, design and collective purchasing were undertaken through the group. Royalties were paid to Comeng and although a contract may have had the Comeng name on it, the work was outsourced to the associated company. This arrangement worked better in some states than others, with Athol Hedges being the most successful, at least in terms of buses built. It is why some Hedges designs up to mid 60s looked very much like Comeng buses, particularly the fronts. In the 60s, his premises were at 343 Melton Road Northgate. Here is a pic I took in January 1968:
Image

In the early 70s, Athol Hedges formed a partnership with Domino Industries (whoever they were). The rest comes from Wiki:
"It was later renamed....Domino before becoming Austral in 1982 when purchased by the Australian Manufacturing Group. It originally bodied buses diversifying into integral buses and coaches (body and chassis) in the 1970s.

In December 1988 Austral was sold to Jaguar Rover Australia who also owned Denning, Austral's largest rival in the coach market. Both continued to operate separately until 1990 when the Denning plant in Acacia Ridge was closed and production transferred to the Austral factory.

From 1992, the combined business was rebranded as Austral Denning. In July 1996, along with Jaguar Rover Australia's other bus bodybuilding operations, it was sold to the Clifford Corporation and rebranded Austral Pacific. This resulted in Ansair Orana Volvo B10BLE buses being bodied at Geebung for Brisbane Transport. Following the collapse of Clifford Corporation, the plant closed in November 1998."
This Melton factory would have been small for a bus and coach factory.They wouldnt get many in there.
Maladjusted
Posts: 891
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:17 pm
Location: Brisbane

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Post by Maladjusted »

That was only the shed fronting Melton Rd, there were more behind that one.
Who bleedin thanked me? I was just doin my job
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Post by Denv12 »

Maladjusted wrote:That was only the shed fronting Melton Rd, there were more behind that one.
I'll take at look at Google maps,I missed the rest.
User avatar
Hornibrook
Posts: 2473
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:04 pm
Location: Brisbane

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Post by Hornibrook »

Was about to say they built 205 Panthers within about two years, so it must've been reasonably big!
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.

Post by Denv12 »

dominodc122 wrote:...and yet more...
309532_10152385049125596_1726678301_n.jpg
looks to be the same workshop premises in later years...?
16579_10152384913925596_1989866737_n.jpg
602840_10152385563740596_2065740133_n.jpg
397703_10152385157715596_1638580111_n.jpg
400100_10152385196030596_767191151_n.jpg
Deluxe were a major operator of Domino /Austral Domino DC122s

The photo with the 2 Deluxe Tourmasters facing in opposite directions,what roadhouse was that taken at? It looks familiar?
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

Here is a variety of photos and adverts.Can anyone else contribute history?
Attachments
CAM00524 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00524 (507 x 676).jpg (70.33 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00523 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00523 (507 x 676).jpg (72.95 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00520 (676 x 507).jpg
CAM00520 (676 x 507).jpg (66.5 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00516 (676 x 507).jpg
CAM00516 (676 x 507).jpg (71.94 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
1n (374 x 252).jpg
1n (374 x 252).jpg (21.08 KiB) Viewed 22015 times
D1000039 (472 x 307).jpg
D1000039 (472 x 307).jpg (42.78 KiB) Viewed 22040 times
D1000007 (471 x 307).jpg
D1000007 (471 x 307).jpg (45.4 KiB) Viewed 22040 times
CAM00502 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00502 (507 x 676).jpg (79.16 KiB) Viewed 22054 times
CAM00499 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00499 (507 x 676).jpg (63.91 KiB) Viewed 22055 times
CAM00497 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00497 (507 x 676).jpg (69.09 KiB) Viewed 22055 times
Last edited by Denv12 on Sun Feb 23, 2014 1:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Car177
Posts: 643
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:12 am
Location: Brisbane
Contact:

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Car177 »

Athol Hedges did his apprenticeship with W.S. Grice of Summer Hill, NSW, who may have been a relative, he later worked for Charles Hope in Brisbane, at sometime during the war he set up a business at Eve Street Sandgate manufacturing Gas producers, at the end of the war he was involved in building two buses for HHBS, No24 a semi trailer bus which was built in Hornibrook's large shed in Rainbow Street and No 16 a LHD White WA20 which was built at the Eve Street premises, I doubt if Hedges was ever an employee of Hornibrook's, the buses HHBS built were composite, wood frame, tongue and groove roofs covered with malthoid and canvas, with steel sheeted sides, Hedges worked in steel.I wonder how much of the structure of these two buses came from Comeng which was a company set up by the government to produces bodies for all, read Hartnetts "Big Wheels, Little Wheels".
Hedges didnt supply any more buses to HHBS until 1956 with the delivery of two Leyland Comets with regular sales of buses to them thereafter, in the period between 1945-56 buses were built for HHBS by themselves,CAC, Charles Hope and F.H. Shuttlewood.
Hedges set up Athol Hedges P/L circa 1947 with a move to Earnshaw Road, Northgate with a later move to 343 Melton Road, Northgate.
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

Car177 wrote:Athol Hedges did his apprenticeship with W.S. Grice of Summer Hill, NSW, who may have been a relative, he later worked for Charles Hope in Brisbane, at sometime during the war he set up a business at Eve Street Sandgate manufacturing Gas producers, at the end of the war he was involved in building two buses for HHBS, No24 a semi trailer bus which was built in Hornibrook's large shed in Rainbow Street and No 16 a LHD White WA20 which was built at the Eve Street premises, I doubt if Hedges was ever an employee of Hornibrook's, the buses HHBS built were composite, wood frame, tongue and groove roofs covered with malthoid and canvas, with steel sheeted sides, Hedges worked in steel.I wonder how much of the structure of these two buses came from Comeng which was a company set up by the government to produces bodies for all, read Hartnetts "Big Wheels, Little Wheels".
Hedges didnt supply any more buses to HHBS until 1956 with the delivery of two Leyland Comets with regular sales of buses to them thereafter, in the period between 1945-56 buses were built for HHBS by themselves,CAC, Charles Hope and F.H. Shuttlewood.
Hedges set up Athol Hedges P/L circa 1947 with a move to Earnshaw Road, Northgate with a later move to 343 Melton Road, Northgate.
Thank you for adding history here.There's a potential for a book here.I added a post on the book idea:

http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... =2&t=76724
Last edited by Denv12 on Sat Feb 22, 2014 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Hornibrook
Posts: 2473
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:04 pm
Location: Brisbane

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Hornibrook »

There's no doubt that at the very least there will be a very informative article on Athol Hedges - as there are copies of a recorded interview with him that the Transport Researchers conducted before he passed.

It will certainly clear up a lot of opinions about how he started and whether it was or wasn't for Hornibrook.
User avatar
dominodc122
Posts: 575
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:26 am
Favourite Vehicle: Anything with a Detroit

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by dominodc122 »

...time for TRAX /TRUX to do a production run of Domino Tourmaster die cast models...god knows they were as prolific as Denning Mono's and with a multitude of liveries...
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

dominodc122 wrote:...time for TRAX /TRUX to do a production run of Domino Tourmaster die cast models...god knows they were as prolific as Denning Mono's and with a multitude of liveries...
I'd be in that.Add me to that list.Needs a new topic posted on them to see who would by them then send them the link so they can see how popular they are and to go ahead and make them.As for which coach companies they should be in lets start making a list.
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

dominodc122 wrote:...time for TRAX /TRUX to do a production run of Domino Tourmaster die cast models...god knows they were as prolific as Denning Mono's and with a multitude of liveries...
The only way to get "Trux" interested in the idea is if we prove to them there's enough demand for them.For that very reasons I started up the post on that exact topic.If anyone would be interested in buying "Trux" Domino and Austral Tourmasters and other bus and coach models they should read and contribute to my post.See the link below:
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 44&t=76738
Last edited by Denv12 on Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

Some for adverts.And more to add.
Attachments
CAM00541 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00541 (507 x 676).jpg (64.13 KiB) Viewed 21858 times
CAM00535 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00535 (507 x 676).jpg (65.67 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00534 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00534 (507 x 676).jpg (64.27 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00533 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00533 (507 x 676).jpg (59.7 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00532 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00532 (507 x 676).jpg (54.22 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00531 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00531 (507 x 676).jpg (70.6 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00530 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00530 (507 x 676).jpg (73.73 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00528 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00528 (507 x 676).jpg (64.11 KiB) Viewed 21871 times
CAM00527 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00527 (507 x 676).jpg (55.87 KiB) Viewed 21875 times
CAM00525 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00525 (507 x 676).jpg (89.55 KiB) Viewed 21875 times
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

I'm still looking for more.
Attachments
IMG_0007 (310 x 289).jpg
IMG_0007 (310 x 289).jpg (17.94 KiB) Viewed 21657 times
IMG_0001 (383 x 256).jpg
IMG_0001 (383 x 256).jpg (38.24 KiB) Viewed 21657 times
CAM00542 (507 x 676).jpg
CAM00542 (507 x 676).jpg (64.56 KiB) Viewed 21881 times
Last edited by Denv12 on Sun Apr 13, 2014 4:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
dominodc122
Posts: 575
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:26 am
Favourite Vehicle: Anything with a Detroit

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by dominodc122 »

...Not sure where the 'TourMaster' name came from...but here are images of the decal evolution...

...70s Domino slab front (aka Tourmaster 1) with early 'TM' sticker..
801.jpg
801.jpg (62.13 KiB) Viewed 21813 times
...Domino TourMaster 3...which became the basis of all series 2 thru 5 units
602791_10152385261105596_389271772_n.jpg
...Austral involvement added the 'TourMaster' alloy badge as standard above both front side window
cobgs9 (1).jpg
cobgs9 (1).jpg (136.49 KiB) Viewed 21813 times
(it is also interesting to note, that the model type ...DC122...does not appear on the makers data plate inside the passenger front door!?)
20042012(024).jpg
20042012(024).jpg (44.93 KiB) Viewed 21812 times
OpsMan
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 8:11 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by OpsMan »

Here's one of the Tourmaster 3's bought by Sundowner Scenic Tours in 1985 (?) a couple of days after it arrived. Dad was asked to do a Charter on a Sunday (which upset a few of the others considering he didn't actually work there!!)
Attachments
Sundowner 29 Front View (640x613).jpg
Sundowner 29 Front View (640x613).jpg (293.48 KiB) Viewed 21713 times
After Being Painted at the Depot
After Being Painted at the Depot
Sundowner Domino Tourmaster (800x543).jpg (248.53 KiB) Viewed 21713 times
Chip Athol Hedges
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 2:14 am

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Chip Athol Hedges »

I am Athol Hedges son, Chip Athol. It was interesting to see so much interest in Dad's buses. I have a heap of pictures and stories related to Athol Hedges Pty Ltd. Some of Dad"s photos go back to his apprenticeship days. I have a copy of Athol being interviewed by Steven Tyrrell and Eddie Geoff of the Transport Historical Society? on 15 September 1982. I think you guys mention them in your posts. I'm not about to start posting heaps of stuff but I'm happy to talk to your moderator personally about how to take this further. chiphedges@gmail.com
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

OpsMan wrote:Here's one of the Tourmaster 3's bought by Sundowner Scenic Tours in 1985 (?) a couple of days after it arrived. Dad was asked to do a Charter on a Sunday (which upset a few of the others considering he didn't actually work there!!)
Hi Chip. Thanks for posting here. Just something to think about,if you could share your knowledge with the right people who could then put a book together I'm sure you would get a few buyers here on this forum. This history of your dad's company and how it evolved is of interest to us. Thanks.
csrbd
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:35 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by csrbd »

Great work guys.... Would love to see the same idea with history of PMC
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by Denv12 »

csrbd wrote:Great work guys.... Would love to see the same idea with history of PMC
I posted a couple of topics here in regards to PMC Adelaide:

http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 45&t=81507
These are my earlier posts:
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... =2&t=73886
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 45&t=77389
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by boronia »

Just dug up this thread while looking for some info on Hedges and Domino.

Although it's primarily about buses, it was mentioned that they also built fire trucks.

What was unusual was that Hedges combined the two to create hybrids like this:
01 Domino 1974 (Small).jpg
01 Domino 1974 (Small).jpg (98.53 KiB) Viewed 19904 times
About a dozen of these were built for various Qld brigades on Ford R bus chassis, and utilized bodies made almost entirely of fibreglass. Production started around 1970 and carried over into the Domino era.

Fast forward to 1990, and Austral designed a new fire truck using a similar "walk in" bus cab design, but using Tourmaster technology to create and integral vehicle.
04 proto 1 (Small).jpg
Production of these continued until the fold up of 1998, and the design was taken over by Varley Engineering of Newcastle.
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by boronia »

Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
CCCC
Posts: 718
Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:42 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Silvereagle and Scenicruiser
Location: vaucluse

Re: Athol Hedges to Austral-Denning:a history.Part 1.

Post by CCCC »


Good find .
Post Reply

Return to “Photos - Brisbane/Qld”