GreenCon
This plaque is located on the Circuite de Savage, outside Greencon, Station St
The seventh of nine children, Lawrie Green was born in Numurkah in 1940. His father’s business, A W Green and Sons, was a forerunner to GreenCon, so important to Cobden today.
Lawrie’s working life began in 1956, building dairies and various concrete projects, mainly around Numurkah. He was a 151⁄2 year-old partner in the family business which brought him to the Heytesbury in 1959 to do some settlement dairies.
In 1960, Lawrie met future wife Thelma Smith in Warden’s Bakehouse, Cobden, and the couple married twelve months later. In 1962, the L H and T O Green partnership was born. The couple lived in Irrewarra, Simpson, Marungi (Numurkah), Irrewarra, and Simpson again, before settling in Cobden in 1966.
From three double-up walk-through bale dairies to herringbones (eventually) in the Heytesbury settlement, an interesting period followed. One year, the business produced 65 dairies for the Soldier Settlement Commission and the Rural Finance Commission across Victoria.
In 1970, business slowed and Lawrie bought a $2750 kerb machine that produced 10,000 feet of kerb and channelling for Warrnambool. Combined with the construction of three bridges near Lorne and a resurgence in dairy building, the business was set for a sustained period of success. The first Ford backhoe in the Cobden region was purchased.
L H & T O Green acquired J W Blake & Son (Victoria St) in 1980 and bought a Warrnambool site at 4 West Court in 1986. In the same year, son James joined the family business after stints with Minhamite and Heytesbury shires.
Business continued to flourish and the new entity, GreenCon announced its arrival in 2007 with son-in-law Wayne Gibson joining the business in 2001.
Company principals, James (managing director) and Wayne (finance director), with the support of Lawrie and Thelma (directors), have continued to tackle significant engineering projects – examples include three robotic milking stalls for Melbourne University at Dookie, a robotic rotary dairy for Bannister Downs (WA) and a unique concrete and glass house at Cape Otway.
GreenCon established its new head office and workshop in Station St in 2007. Additional land was bought in Jenkins St, Warrnambool in 2017. The payroll generally numbers between 30 and 35 employees
Not only have Lawrie, Thelma, James, Wayne and families led the way in business but they have also given back to the community. Among their credits are administrative involvements in service clubs like Apex and Red Cross; surf life-saving organisations locally and nationally; community banks, health services, schools and recreation reserves; football at local and league level; golf at local and state level; and cricket.
Not surprisingly, business recognition, community and citizenship awards, and life membership certificates are easy to find at their homes. Their contribution to the Cobden Story has been immense.
