Hatchers Laundry in Melbourne was founded in 1850.
At that time Australia was still receiving transported criminals from England mainly for petty thefts and the total white population was only 267,000.
The Aboriginal remnant was thought to be far less in number.A year later gold was discovered in Victoria and the rapid population increase led to demand for laundry services which swelled the coffers.
At the turn of the century the demand for linen services continued and the company grew quickly to be one of the larger employers of workers in Melbourne.
It adapted its services over the ensuing years to offer hire and sale of industrial garments, dust mats and washroom services and later Roller Towels.As the decline of manufacturing continued it reverted back to its original roots as primarily a linen hire company.I drove past the establishment yesterday and decided on a post with a poem outlining its interesting history.

Hatchers Laundry

Age of cleanliness in Florence Nightingales time
Nurses with clean linen for beds all in a line
Hatchers Laundry built under Gas lights
Washed dirty linen until spotlessly white

The demand for clean linen, Laundry would meet
200 tonnes was wahed every week
Horse drawn deliveries to large estates
God help a driver who happened to be late

Demands of fashions, was a spotless start
Boots for hire of types that will last
Overalls and Towels, for clean work place
Vans replace horses to just keep apace

Washers purchased for needs that mount
Programmed to deliver loads by their route
Uniforms ablaze, clients colours and name
Delivered to lockers individualy so named

Mood changed, close garment shop
Uniforms costly so washing must stop
Computers replaced the dirt and grime
As Hatchers Laundry delivers on time

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