Sale of Murphy Bros. was the end of an era in Marrar
From the Temora Independent
15 December 1988
In 1923 Patrick Murphy, whose family had earlier moved from the Coolamon area to the Marrar area and had farmed at Peachdale, Marrar commenced a business as a commission agent in the main street of Marrar. Patrick Murphy was appointed the silo agent and was responsible for all receivals and dispersal of wheat in the silos at Marrar. He died in 1935 and at that stage his sons, Noel and Kevin Murphy were working in the business with him and it then became known as Murphy Bros., Marrar. The business had grown to a commission agent business, which included farm supplies and hardware.
In 1935 Bryan Murphy, who was the owner of the business until September 1 1988, started work with Lance Redgrave at the general store next door. Bryan continued working at the general store until the start of the Second World War. Noel Murphy continued the business during the War and due to a lack of man power he and Mr Redgrave operated their two businesses as one and finally, 1942, the Murphy Bros. purchased the general store.
Bryan Murphy returned to the business in 1946 and operated in partnership with his brother, Noel until November 24, 1974 when Noel and his wife were killed in a car accident.
Up until the 1040's the Murphy men also operated a chaff milling business in the Marrar area. In 1950 Murphy Bros. bought out their opposition, Kelly's Shop which was the general store, and combined with their hardware farm supply and commission agent business and this operated until Noel Murphy's death. In 1977 the general store was sold and the hardware, farm supplies and pasture seed business continued until September 1, 1988.
Murphy Bros. are renowned throughout the produce and seed industry for their expertise in pasture seeds. They have and continue to supply pasture seeds from Mangoplah in the south to Dunedoo in the north. Bryan Murphy, who is now 69, is recognised in the seed industry as an expert on pasture seeds including clover seeds and lupin. Murphy Bros. at Noel's initiative, commenced to purchase clover seed from Western Australia in the 1940's and has continued to supply clover seed and lucerne seed since that time. Clover seed was initially introduced to Western Australia and it had to be shipped from there to the eastern states.
Historical Interest
Murphy Bros. store in the main street of Marrar is an interesting blend of modern equipment mixed with an old historical building and layout together with some interesting historical items. many of the old historical items have been stored by Bryan Murphy for historical reasons and he hopes during his retirement to sort through and organise some of these. Bryan still has a brand new unused single plough scarifier, and old cash register and various old signs and Invoice books dating back to 1914.
He is retiring after 53 years and Murphy Bros. is being taken over by Jock Pearce and his wife Lyn. They are continuing the hardware, farm supplies and seed business and propose to call upon the experience of Bryan in relation to the seed business. Bryan will help with the purchasing of bulk supplies and the distribution of clover and lucerne seeds throughout the area.
Jock and Lyn Pearce, up to September 1, 1988, operated the family farm known as "Brigadoon", Marrar. This was originally owned by Mr. and Mrs Hal Pearce. The farm was a soldier settlement block which Hal Pearce selected following the Second World War. The Pearce Family have been in the Marrar area for over 100 years and this is their first venture into the hardware, farm supplies and grain business.
For more information on Murphy Bros: 50 Years of Business 1935 – 1985 by Brendan Murphy