MR. C.H. OVERY,    A TRARALGON BUSINESSMAN   (Evelyn Bonighton - 1991)

Mr. Overy had a musical instrument and record shop in Yarram.    His son carried this on for a couple of years and it was then closed.   Records were added to the Traralgon business with an agency from Allans.   Later a Baltic Simplex Machinery agency was procured and Mr. Overy spent much time travelling in the hills to sell machinery to the farmers.  Many housewives will remember him as an expert with sewing machine repairs.

In about 1933 he bought the Florist's business of Mr. Eddie Rayner and soon amalgamated it with the bigger shop.  In the mid-thirties, Mr. Overy purchased the shop owned by Mr. J.B. Robinson, one half of which is now the Army Disposals shop, and the remainder is now part of the S.E.C. building.   He then added a Kiernan's Furnishing Shop agency and released the Secondhand Dealer's Licence.

(Photo left, Mr. C.H. Overy, from collection E. Bonighton)

He sold the nursery part of the business to his son-in-law, Mr. Bert Wilson, and half of the shop that is now the Army Disposals.  Dick and Kath Teychenne then opened a milk bar in the other half, with Mr. Overy continuing his business in an office at the rear.  Mr. Cecil Ratcliffe later purchased the milk-bar and operated there until the S.E.C. bought the premises to include in their showroom.

In 1950 Mr. and Mrs. Stan Bonighton purchased the business from Mr. Overy and soon moved to a shop owned by Mr. W.A. Thompson, in Seymour Street, which was later demolished to make way for the present Seymour Arcade.   The shop was part of the present Fairley's Pharmacy site.

When Mr. Ted Conchie operated the picture theatre ("Town Hall Talkies") in Hotham Street, he used to play records, amplified over an outside system, for approximately half an hour before the start of the picture show.  These records were purchased from Mr. Overy's shop.