G. S. HENDRY & CO   UPDATED

Research compiled from many resources by Gordon Freegard

George Sharp Hendry was born at Nain, South Australia in 1860. He was educated at Winnam College and when he left school he went into business as ageneral storekeeper in Georgetown. He came to Western Austraila in the early 1900's and opened a store in North Fremantle, later shifting to Barton (Piesseville) and stayed there until he retired and shifted to Gnowangerup. He passed away on 11th September 1932 and was survived by his three sons, Jack, Kieth and George.
Seven years earlier, in 1924 at the age of 21, his son also named George Sharp Hendry, worked at Montgomery's Hardware and Grocery Store. He purchased the store grocery section along with his father. Tom Scott was the assistant working for them. He expanded the business to include drapery after marrying Marion Taylor in 1926. This section was later run by Nellie Farr.

GEORGE SHARP HENDRY            #1

George began selling farm machinery and obtaining other agencies Sunshine Implements and Spare Parts; Dalgety and Co.; Union Assurance Society; Oldsmobile Cars and Trucks; Vauxhall Cars; Bedford Trucks and Utilities. Despite facing challenges during the Great Depression, George seized  new opportunities by acquiring several
other agencies, including General Motors in 1936 
and in that Year he had the showrooms rebuilt.  
During World War 11, many staff members enlisted, prompting Marion to assist in the grocery and hardware sections.
In 1948 George became the Holden Dealer for the 
district, necessitating another expansion of the
premises. He also obtianed the H. V. McKay agency
in 1953/54 and the showrooms were again rebuilt.
His son Douglas Raymond, returned from studying
metallurgy in Melbourne in1955 to help with the
growing business, trading as G. S. Hendry, he was
known as a "General Merchant".

HENDRY'S ADVERT 1933                #3

HENDRY'S ADVERT 1939                #4
 

HENDRY'S ADVERT 1941                #5
 

In 1965 Doug and George Hendry sold their Grocery business to Mr. & Mrs. John Wilson, previously of Coolgardie. They took over on 1st October 1965. At that stage the Hendry's quoted having given 40 years service to the town.
The 1960's marked a peak for the Hendry Family, with 26 staff member employed. As George's health declined, he took a step back from the business, which was enventually managed by  David and Sue Hendry after Doulas retired.

  DOCKET BOOKHEADING      #6
 

        HENDRY'S NEW SHOWROOMS    2004        #7
 

HENDRY'S SHOWROOMS BEING DEMOLISHED  2007         #8
 

HENDRY'S SHOWROOMS BEING DEMOLISHED     2007           #9
 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      Gordon Freegard

                                  Image:    1, 3, 4,5      Gnowangerup Star Newspaper
                                                 2      Glen Oliver
                                                 6, 7, 8, 9      Internet

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2026