02 – EMMCO FACTORY (LATER EMAIL LTD)

Edward St, Orange

Hundreds of migrants were allocated employment at the Emmco (later Email) whitegoods factory because in the 1950s and 60s it was the city’s major employer. It produced fridges, freezers, washing machines and other household electrical goods at a time when business was booming. Language difficulties precluded many migrant workers from taking on more demanding roles in the early years, although some later excelled in engineering.

In 1953 a number of skilled German toolmakers were employed to take on specialist roles. Initially German was widely spoken among the multicultural workforce, although most migrants soon learnt English. Other major employers of migrant workers were the State Railways, Bloomfield and Orange Base hospitals and Wangarrie Sawmill.