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IFHAA Biographies Library
Elijah Thomas & Hannah Louise
Gray
Melbourne Businessman of the early
20th century
Submitted by Scott Brown
From The Southern Cross News, Prahran, Victoria - Letters to the Editor March 1980.
The City of St Kilda, is I believe, one in which under today's
standards of living tends to highlight somewhat "short
term" achievements in community activities.
I beg leave to draw to your notice, many years of business and
active community involvement by one of the "older"
families in this area which is coming to a close.
My reference is to the Thomas family who have for as long as I
can remember (back to 1930's) conducted E.Thomas Pty. Ltd.,
Mercers and Men's Wear in Fitzroy Street. If my memory serves me
rightly, it was established by Elijah Thomas in Grey Street. This
gentleman was a distinguished figure in the community, known by
his waxed moustache, furled umbrella and cane, perfectly dressed
wearing at all times a black bowler hat, truly one to be
respected.
The tailoring side of the business was for many years carried out
by his son H.B. (Harry) a local Justice of the Peace, most active
in St Kilda Community Welfare.
The family, father and sons, Harry and Franklin, were with their
families very active members of the Methodist Church
congregation.
There is a St kilda landmark tucked away in Enfield Street,
"Restormel" owned until recently by the family which
could be related to St Kilda's history. I do not know any of it's
history but I'm sure it would prove interesting.
Many of the Thomas family are leaving St Kilda, I believe this is
regrettable and their past is worthy of note.
K.N.G. Rial,
Parkdale.
From The Southern Cross, Wednesday March 5 1980
END OF AN ERA FOR FAMILY SHOP
It's a brand new shop in Fitzroy St, St Kilda. The name
"E.Thomas" is painted on the window where on display is
an elegant hand tailored suit and some shirts, socks and ties.
The year is 1920. There have been a few changes over the sixty
years that led up to 1980. Members of the Thomas family have
carried on the business in the same vein as the founder, selling
hand tailored suits, shirts and accessories.
Over the years the window displays have been created with the
same artistic care - fashions have altered , of course, and
prices - where once the tag on a suit was four guineas, it would
be $200 or more now.
However, at the end of this week it will be all over.
The window will be bare. Inside the shop the shelves and fittings
will be empty, the wooden models nude.
The Thomas family has decided the business has served St Kilda
well for 60 years and the time has come for retirement.
The shop and dwelling, designed all those years ago by the late
Sir John Monash, have been sold.
Elijah Thomas came from England in the early part of the century
and started his tailoring business in Fitzroy Street, opposite
the St Kilda Park School. he moved from there to Grey Street
where he remained until the shop at 107 Fitzroy Street was built
with two upper floors which were the home for him and his wife
and two sons, Harry and Franklin, and daughter Elaine.
The boys were well trained by their father. Harry learnt the
tailoring trade and Franklin the shop management, window dressing
and sign painting.
They both married and had families and on many occasions some of
the children may have been seen in the shop earning their pocket
money by serving on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings.
Franklin, now in his 70's, still helps in the shop. His wife a
tailoress has also been involved, and his sister Elaine Wale does
the books.
Harry continued to do the tailoring until a year before his death
in 1978. His widow, Dulce, still calls into the shop each day.
Their daughter Shirley and her husband Roy Neal came into the
business more than 20 years ago and with Franklin have carried on
until today.
"The decision to sell was given a great deal of
thought," Mrs Neal said.
She said some of the customers have been coming to the shop for
50 years.
"So many people who come into the shop have become not just
customers, but real friends," Mrs Neal said.
[The article was accompanied by a photo of Roy and Shirley Neal
and a copy of the original E.Thomas Letterhead.]
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