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HISTORY

Fitzroy Nurseries'
History

Fitzroy Nurseries Pty Ltd had its origins in Bundaberg in 1952. 

Two European emigrants, Horst Dargel (a German) and Wilhelm (Bill) von Allmen (a Swiss) became friends whilst working at Langbeckers Nursery, Bundaberg.

They were both professionally qualified nursery tradesmen who began looking for a site to build their own business. Bill was aware of a Swiss emigrant who lived in Rockhampton, so they travelled to Rocky to look up Fred Shannon.

Fred knew of a 20-acre block of land for sale at Pink Lily, which they bought. So all three formed a partnership to create Fitzroy Nurseries in February 1953.
 
The first plant catalogue was printed in 1955, so plants were being propagated and sold by 1954. Horst and Bill supplemented their meagre income by growing vegetables and performing gardening work for the residents of Rockhampton.
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In the late 50’s and early 60’s, they began growing Citrus and Roses. By the mid 60’s, they had pioneered a grafting technique for Macadamia supplying growers for the first time, with grafted fruit trees.
 
The business began to develop supplying plants to clients all over Queensland, wherever the trains would take them.

Remote cattle properties would have plants and trees sent to rail sidings at places like Dajarra, Boulia, Yaraka, Duchess and all stops in between.
 
The first pots used were metal cans and drums of varying size. Prune tins were small; 5 gal. Drums were large. Various pots were used before plastic came along. Terracotta, paper and folded thin metal imprests that were assembled on site.

Plastic pots were a godsend.
 
In 1964, a town water pipeline was installed at great expense. The wet years had become a memory as drought set in.
The business would fold without water. A 1-megalitre concrete dam was installed to create a reservoir to pump from.

By 1965 they had acquired two adjoining properties, which brought their total land holding to approximately 1000 acres (400 ha). The barrage was completed in 1968, bringing water woes to an end. 

With 50 km of fresh water on the boundary, they could now develop their recently acquired neighbouring property, which was not as flood prone and had lovely sandy loam soil, ideal for nursery-style horticulture.

The nursery commenced operations at the new Pink Lily site in 1973, and was officially opened by Rex Pilbeam (Mayor) in April 1975. By the late 1970’s the second generation began to work and learn the business.

In 1987 they incorporated to become Fitzroy Nurseries Pty Ltd. By 2000, there were too many Chiefs and not enough Indians, so the Dargel family bought out the interests in the business of the von Allmen family.

In 2008, the third generation of nurserymen began training in the gentle arts of production horticulture.

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