About Us
Hammonds - Still Pioneering After 150 Years
For almost six generations, Hammonds has remained a family-owned company that is dedicated to sharing it’s unmatched experienced with anyone who is painting or decorating, whether they are master painters or DIY home owners. Our specialised knowledge, expertise and advice has helped thousands of people ensure they achieve the very best results with a minimum of time, effort and cost.
Our stores around Western Victoria give us a rural focus where neighbourliness still seems to thrive and a sense of community permeates our business and our thinking.
As our advertising has consistently promised, we will help you avoid costly mistakes (like being penny wise and pounds foolish) and ensure you have everything you need (including know how) to achieve the perfect finish.
History
Pioneers
In 1840, Joseph Robert Hammond and his bride, Helenah, spent nine gruelling months aboard the Neptune, arriving in Australia only to find that hard times seemed to have followed them from Ireland. The couple lived in and around Victoria, settling in Port Fairy in 1843, where they took up residence at the Merrijig Hotel. Four years later, the pioneers moved to Hexham where their son, Joseph Charles Hammond, one of eleven children, was born.
Painter's Apprentice
When old enough Joseph was apprenticed to Mr. William Norman's painting and plumbing business.
In 1874, he took up his trade as a painter and decorator, establishing Hammond and Sons in Fairy Street, Wararnambool. In 1884 the business moved to the corner of Fairy & Lava Streets, where it is still located today.
Joseph developed a passion for thoroughbreds and rode in many district race meetings. Although of a retiring disposition, Joseph was a leading figure in the growing town of Warrnambool.
Lasting Legacies
Joseph was succeeded by his son Thomas, whose son Frank then continued the business who, in turn, passed the Hammonds business on to his nephew, John Rule. Five generations later, John Rule's son, Nicholas runs the business with fierce pride in its heritage and the high standards that it has maintained for nearly 150 years. Even Joseph's interest in horses is still maintained by members of the family to this day.
Broadening Horizons
Hammonds have developed an enviable reputation over the years as honest traders who have specialised in painting, decorating and contracting against the trends of generalisation, self-service and the impersonalisation of the retail environment.
The company opened stores in Portland in 1974, Hamilton in 1988, Swan Hill in 1998 and Ballarat 2014.
Back to the Future
Managing Director, Nicholas Rule says: "In some ways, our past is our future. Taking a genuine interest in our customers and always doing our best to help them achieve the best results is a foundation of the business that hasn't changed. At the same time, we've never been slow to adopt and harness the latest technology to ensure that our customers receive the benefits, whether it's new durable coatings, computer-aided design and decorating or computer tinting to find just the right shade.