Celebrating 105 years of Moses & Son

This month, we’re celebrating 105 remarkable years of Moses & Son. What some of you may not realise is that we haven’t always been known by that name, and our journey is steeped in rich history and local spirit. In this blog, we will share with you some of the remarkable milestones and achievements - and maybe even give you a bit of a history lesson!

Where it all began…

Before we dive into the legacy of Moses & Son, we must first provide you with a glimpse of the family that shaped our business. We start with three adventurous Moses brothers, John, Charles and Albert, who made their way from Lebanon around 1898. (See picture).

Charles, of course, was the visionary founder of Moses & Son, which later became a thriving wool, skin, and hide business. Albert settled in Gundagai and was a father to 12 Moses’ children.  

Following John’s untimely death during a visit to Lebanon, his two sons and daughter were brought back to Australia by their uncles. They found a new home in Tumut and changed their surname to Manning, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Moses family. This photo serves as a powerful reminder of the family's rich history and the resilience that has shaped their legacy.

Charles, the Visionary Founder of Moses & Son, and His Wife, Philomena

When Charles set sail for Australia in search of new opportunities, he left behind his pregnant wife, Philomena, in Lebanon. It was a decade before he was able to finally bring his family over. However, fate had one more challenge in store.

By the time Philomena and their young son, Salim (Sam), arrived by boat in Botany Bay—the White Australia Policy had come into effect. As a result, they were denied entry and were left stranded at the docks. Fortunately, Philomena’s cousin, Constantine Nicholas (“Stanton”) Melick senior, a pioneer of the Lebanese business community in Australia had connections in high places.

A close friend of William ‘Billy’ Morris Hughes, who was a representative in the House of Representatives at the time and went on to serve as the seventh prime minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923 during World War I, Stanton was able to intervene.

After some negotiation, Philomena and Sam were granted permission to come ashore—on the strict condition that she report to the police every few weeks.

On one occasion, when Philomena missed her scheduled report, authorities sent Stanton a letter of concern. Without hesitation, he boarded a train to Braidwood to investigate. His response to the authorities was simple: Philomena hadn’t reported in because she was in hospital—giving birth to her daughter, Thelma.

Another Generation is Born

Around 1920, Sam Moses married, and together, they founded Moses & Son—a thriving wool, skin, and hide business. With the invaluable support of Sam’s father, Charles, and his brothers, the venture quickly gained traction. Over the years, their dedication and hard work transformed the business into a key player in the industry.

When Sam passed away in 1948, the leadership of the company transitioned to his son Bruce Moses, who was appointed Managing Director. A defining moment came in 1971 when Bruce and his brother Lionel branched out from their uncles, laying the foundation for Moses & Son as we know it today.

Jack, Bruce's younger brother, was a maths prodigy and, at the time, the youngest Chartered Accountant in NSW. Before starting his career, Jack helped out at the store. In those days, bales were weighed off the truck, and their weights were recorded on a foolscap sheet. Jack had an incredible ability to scan a sheet with up to 40 lines of three-digit numbers and calculate the total in his head. No one could believe it, but he was right every single time!

Between 1972 and 1980, the company operated as both wool brokers and private treaty merchants, solidifying its strong reputation in the industry. During the 70s and 80s, when private treaty was a primary focus, Bruce and Rita regularly welcomed visits from exporters. It’s said that trips to Moses & Son in Temora were more frequent than to other treaty merchants of the time, thanks to the abundance of flowing red wine and authentic Lebanese cuisine.

Bruce’s wife, Rita, was also a formidable businesswoman in her own right, owning a successful ladies' fashion store in the heart of town. Her entrepreneurial spirit mirrored the family’s legacy of resilience and together, she and Bruce raised four sons: Steve, Marty, Derrick & Paul. It was a family with a passion for sport, music & hospitality. The Moses family’s hospitality was well known and widely admired, leaving a lasting impression on many. The doors were always open to friends and family alike, and Rita became renowned for her cooking and warmth.

Embracing Innovation and Expansion

The 1990s marked a transformative period for Moses & Son as the company embraced new opportunities and modernised its operations through the introduction of computers. From scanning wool clips in sheds and emailing data to brokers to using computerised testing machines, these innovations greatly enhanced efficiency, enabling growers to sell their clips in a much shorter timeframe.

In 1990, Moses & Son also transitioned to auction sales, followed by the development of Sale by Tender/Broker services in 1991. That same year, they played a key role in the formation of Yennora Wool Brokers, strengthening our presence in the wool industry. With Bruce Moses handing over the reins to his son Marty in 1993, the business entered its fourth generation of family leadership. Under Marty’s direction, Moses & Son continued to innovate wool marketing processes for clients.

Through strategic expansion and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Moses & Son continued to grow, maintaining a strong market presence.

Growth Through Strategic Acquisitions

The early 2000s saw Moses & Son significantly expand its footprint through key acquisitions. In 2000, they purchased Montague A Hart in West Wyalong, followed by Murrumbidgee Wool in Wagga Wagga in 2005. This momentum continued in 2006 with the acquisition of AES Scott, bringing new locations in Condobolin and Ariah Park into the fold. These expansions solidified Moses & Son’s position as a major player in the wool industry, enhancing services and accessibility for wool growers across the region.

Ariah Park Wool & Skin Dealers est in 1922. Moses & Son acquired from AES Scott in 2006.

Broadening Services and Community Engagement

Moses & Son's expansion wasn't just about wool—it was about supporting their clients across all aspects of rural business. The company opened new stores in Narrandera (2007) and Young (2009), making their services more accessible to local communities. In 2008, they introduced Animal Health Services, providing crucial support for livestock management. Always looking ahead, they established Bluechip Livestock in 2010, further diversifying their services. The following year, Marty played a pivotal role as a Founding Director of MerinoLink, reinforcing their commitment to wool industry networking, research and development.

Investing in Innovation and Sustainability

Moses & Son continued to evolve throughout the 2010s, expanding into rural supplies in 2012 to better serve wool growers and farmers. In 2014, they purchased an R&D farm, ‘The Vale’, in Temora, strengthening their ability to test and implement industry-leading practices. The following year, they introduced a Wool & Livestock Consultancy Service, ensuring clients had expert guidance in an ever-changing market. Their dedication to innovation was further demonstrated in 2016 when they became a Merino Lifetime Productivity Trial site host, supporting vital research into Merino genetics and productivity.

Enhancing Logistics and Service Capabilities

The 2020s saw Moses & Son continue to expand, ensuring they could provide a seamless experience for their clients. In 2020, they acquired Weddin Wool in Grenfell, further strengthening their regional presence. Recognising the importance of efficiency and reliability in logistics, the company introduced a complete in-house freight service in 2021, providing farm-to-store transport solutions for wool growers.

Recently, Moses & Son started the switch from gas to electric forklifts, embracing a more sustainable approach. And of course, one of the most transformative advancements in the industry has been the introduction of electronic identification (eID) for sheep, which allows farmers to accurately identify sheep on their properties. Bringing greater transparency and improving tracking, it helps prevent theft, ensures disease-free livestock for sale, and enhances traceability (now a crucial factor in the wool market) and gives buyers valuable data for informed decision-making.

Navigating Change and Challenge Through 105 Years

Across 105 years, Moses & Son and the communities we work across have weathered significant change, driven not only by Australia's harsh climate and the inherent volatility of wool markets but also by major global and local disruptions. Wars, economic depressions, and recessions each brought unique challenges, but we have adapted and endured.

The Wide Comb dispute of the late 1970s and early 1980s exposed deep divisions within the industry, symbolising broader tensions between innovation and traditional practices. This conflict was also emblematic of the era's complex power dynamics involving trade unions and their considerable influence on agricultural practices.

Furthermore, throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, the wool industry faced intense competition from emerging synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon. These materials rapidly captured market share, particularly in fashion sectors traditionally dominated by wool. The industry has weathered these challenges by highlighting wool's natural strengths and adapting strategies to stay competitive—a message that continues to resonate strongly today.

Another pivotal event was the collapse of the Reserve Price Scheme (RPS) in the early 1990s. Introduced in the 1970s to stabilise wool prices by guaranteeing minimum pricing, the RPS resulted in an unsustainable wool stockpile exceeding 4.7 million bales by 1991. Its collapse triggered a severe price crash, causing profound hardship across the wool industry. The challenge Moses & Son faced was substantial: rebuilding market confidence, strategically reducing the massive wool stockpile, and successfully transitioning to a market-driven system.

Through each of these upheavals, Moses & Son not only survived but continually evolved, demonstrating resilience and a profound commitment to the Australian wool industry.

Looking for Opportunities – Preparing for the Future

No one can deny that the past year has been challenging for the sheep industry, but at Moses & Son, our commitment to supporting clients remains steadfast. We’re focused on uncovering opportunities that can help shape a brighter future for the industry.

Reflecting on the Moses & Son journey in this article, it’s clear that the challenges have been significant—both personally and across agriculture, particularly within the sheep and wool sectors. Yet, time and again, our teams and our communities have proven their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.

While the current demand for wool is subdued, Moses & Son is determined to look beyond the present challenges. By encouraging farmers to embrace benchmarking, we aim to empower smarter, more informed decisions that pave the way for long-term success. Together, we’ll navigate the storm and emerge stronger.