A Stamp of Approval
The Importance of Community in Iluka’s Fishing Industry
By the 1890s, Iluka had already earned a strong reputation for its oysters, fished from the Clarence River and shipped to Sydney. Soon, prawns and fish like flathead, snapper, and bream followed, expanding Iluka’s fishing industry, and drawing in more fishermen to the region.
As Iluka grew, so did the challenge of keeping catches fresh over long distances. To solve this, two iceworks were built, including the Iluka Co-Operative Iceworks, founded by the Powell brothers in 1905. By 1910, the factory was producing three tonnes of ice a day to support the fishermen’s needs. What made the co-op special was its community-driven approach – almost every fisherman and resident held shares in the company, sealed with an official stamp from this metal franking tool. This sense of shared ownership gave everyone a stake in the village’s success and helped solidify a spirit of cooperation that defined the town.
In 1924, the Iluka Co-Operative Iceworks upgraded to a modern Crossley oil engine, boosting production over the next five decades. However, by 1968, they could no longer compete with electric ice-making technology and were forced to close.
Although the Iluka Co-Operative Iceworks is long gone, the sturdy franking tool remains as a reminder of Iluka’s cooperative spirit and strong fishing heritage.
