Crawfords, Steeles and Frank Northeast

This plaque is located at 32 Curdie St.

The story behind the people and the business(es) at 30-32 Curdie St Cobden:

Established on Friday 13th February 1953 by George and Frances Crawford, the business known as Crawford Furniture was actually situated in the well-known market opposite Alderwood Manor (which was the Cobden Theatre at the time).

George Crawford was an active community person who convened a play-reading group in 1954 which became the Cobden Repertory Society. He was a ‘popular and talented’ compere of the Back-to-Cobden centenary concert in 1955 and was involved in the establishment of a local chamber of commerce in 1956 and the construction of the new public hall in 1958, officially opened in 1962.

Both he and Frances were active in the Presbyterian Church while Frances was also a respected guide leader. Mr Crawford was presented with a Develop Victoria Council community service award in 1972 due to his association with the Rotary Club, the Bush Nursing Hospital, the Repertory Society and his involvement in many fund-raising events in Cobden and Camperdown.

He built the current shop in the 1960s, and the business itself was purchased by Geoffrey and Gwenyth Steele in 1975 and, subsequently, by their children, Susan and Jonathan, in 2001.

After more than 70 years of catering for the needs of Cobden, Heytesbury Settlement and Corangamite Shire residents and businesses, Crawford Furniture and, now, Cobden

Floors and Furnishings have continued to be an important and respected member of the town’s business community. Certainly, not just ‘part of the furniture’ but an institution in its own right!

The Steeles have also served the community well with Geoffrey prominent in golf as well as establishing a model aero club, Gwenyth busy with the Uniting Church, school productions and other musical events, while Jonathan was an Apexian and has been a staunch and active member of the Cobden Football Netball Club for many years.

Susan Shepherd began working in the shop after completing an Arts degree at Ballarat College of Advanced Education. Husband Rodney is a keen fisherman who writes fishing articles and online blogs as well as working in the business as a flooring contractor.

In 2023, Cobden Floors and Furnishings moved the acclaimed business to 50 Victoria St after the building here was sold to Adam Higham and his bikes and cars.

Businessman and sportsman Frank Northeast figures prominently in the history of these sites. In 1918, Gil Smith sold him his barber and billiard business which used to adjoin the Grand Central Hotel (Thommos Hotel).

In 1936, after buying the land at 32 Curdie St, Frank built a new shop which contained a traditional gentleman’s hair salon, two quality billiard tables and a separate ladies hairdressing room at the rear of the building.

Please note the classic Northeast signage across the shop’s frontage, was only recently uncovered by the current owner.

During the 1980s, Cobden Floors and Furnishings began using the hair salon/ pool hall area to house new carpet-cutting equipment.

Frank Northeast was an outstanding golfer, footballer and coach. The undercover stand at the Cobden Recreation Reserve is named after him.

What you may not know:

• Crawford Furniture also had shops in Camperdown and Timboon for many years before consolidating them in Cobden.
• Employees who have worked in the businesses have included Jim Creece, David Smith, Alan Clementson, Trevor Nelson, Bill Taylor, John Rix, Philip Smith, Neal Simmonds, Jamie Alexander, Sandra Cobbledick and Sam Rix (as a floor covering contractor).
• Gwenyth Steele came to Cobden from Melbourne and worked as a registered nurse at Cobden Bush Nursing Hospital before meeting and marrying husband Geoffrey and joining him in the business.
• Before completing a fitting and turning apprenticeship at Ford in Geelong between 1987 and 1991, Jonathan Steele attended Cobden Technical School.
• Cobden is almost certainly the smallest town in Victoria with a dedicated carpet and furniture business.
• Frank Northeast was the father of Peter, Pat and Robert (Fr Kevin) Northeast. Pat was the secretary of the Heytesbury Shire between 1966 and 1973.