M.M. Co. frontage.
Part 1. By Marie Hoffman.
MICHAEL MELLICK or Mick, as he was so well known, arrived in Wellington by steam train in April 1926.
He carried his port down a very uncommercialised Swift Street and arrived to take over the shop of J. J. Addler at 150 Percy.
As he stood at the doorway of his shop, the scene was very different to that of to-day. The town tennis courts were directly opposite and the bowling green at the south end.
On 20th May 1926, the M.M. Co. announced to the public of Wellington and surrounding districts that they had purchased the assigned estate of J.J. Adler and decided to sell the whole stock and also a lot of other new goods regardless of cost.
Some examples were: heavy flannelette 8 shillings and sixpence; single bed pure wool blankets 23/6 a pair; pure wool cardigans 8/6; men’s suits 4/6 and 54 inch white sheeting 1shilling and a penny half-penny a yard.
Soon after Mick arrived in Wellington, he purchased an Overland Sedan car from Jim Letson, a neighbour in Percy Street.
The method of learning to drive was get in and have a go.
On 1st January 1928 Mick married his childhood sweetheart, Georgette, at the orthodox church in Sydney.
At the ceremony Rev. Father Nicholas Shehadie officiated. After a brief honeymoon the couple returned to Wellington where they made their home above the store.
The ensuing years were the formative years of the M.M. Co.
The depression period severely interfered with the lives of all people.
Mick Mellick’s understanding and feeling for the people of this district became more apparent.
In 1933 the M.M. Cup was presented to the Wellington Rugby League Football Club for competition.
The cup was of beautiful design and stood at least two foot six inches tall.
At the time the Wellington Times newspaper stated, ‘It can honestly be said that there is not another cup in the West to equal it.’
The President of the Club hoped that Wellington would have the luck to hold it for a while at least.
In 1935 the Melick Cup was played for at Wellington Showground against old opponents, Yeoval and Wellington.
By 1936 Mick and Georgette were the proud parents of two daughters, Yvonne and Diana, and the M. M. Co had undergone the first of several extensions.
The improved shop now displayed and sold every type of frock any lady could wish for and hats were beautifully displayed.
Mick Mellick was seen, by a Wellington Times reporter as, ‘A keen sportsman primarily in bowls and hunting.
‘Of course, his garden was always full of flowers, fruit and vegetables which he so generously shared with his neighbours and friends.’
The M.M. Co took on a new image in the town. It was the first shop to have huge plate glass windows. Around the windows were tiles. New showcases were installed.
The family welcomed their first son, Michael and there was much rejoicing.
In 1943 Padre Harold Graham, later Archdeacon arrived in town.
He arrived just in time to greet the Mellick’s second son, Edmond.
As quoted in the Times, ‘The young bowler’s head was wetted last night by the Wellington Bowlers when the arrival’s health was drunk.’
The 1950s was a progressive era, Mick Mellick again extended the M.M. Co. in a major expansion, premises next door was purchased, demolished and a modern extension added to the existing store, thereby doubling the previous space available.
As the last floorboards were being placed in position, preparations were already in hand for the opening party to be held that night, the 4th January 1955.
During 1964, the M.M Co was further extended to incorporate ‘The Georgette Salon’ run by Diana Mellick and named after her mum. The store also held their first Fashion Bazaar at the Bowling Club.
Born at Blerran – El Koura, Lebanon, Mick Mellick passed away in Wellington on 30th November 1969 at the age of 69 years, after living a remarkable life.
From arriving in Wellington 43 years earlier with the purchase price of a small business he had built and expanded the M.M. Co into something he was really proud of. He was happy in the knowledge that he had seen his family grow up and all firmly established.
The only disappointment was that he did not live to see any of his grandchildren. What a wonderful time he would have had with Murray, Michael, Ward and Janelle.
Even though Michael and Diana moved to Sydney to live and Edmond built a home in Maxwell Street, the family home was still considered to be above the shop where it all started in 1926.
Mick was survived by his wife, Georgette, two daughters, Yvonne and Diana (Wellington) and two sons, Michael (Sydney) and Edmond (Wellington).
Mrs. Mellick was essentially a home and family person but also found time to devote her energies to the C.W.A. and Red Cross.
Before her death, in March 1990, Georgette Mellick received the distinction of being made a Life Member of the Red Cross Society.
She was predeceased by her husband and by grandson Michael, the son of Michael and Maria.
In April 1976 the M.M. Company’s celebrated its 50th Anniversary in the Civic Centre.
It was a truly gala occasion.
During the evening musical items were presented through the re-enactment of the establishment of the M.M. Company and the growth of Wellington.
It was a charity event, and the proceeds were presented to Wellington Historical Society and the Quota Club of Wellington.
During 1977 Edmond donated a trophy cup to Wellington Cricket Club and known as the Calypso Cup which was held on Australia Day weekend.
Only Wellington teams who played in the Hardwick Cup could enter. This Cup was played for many years.
… Keep an eye out for Part 2.