Hastings Bakery

John Whyte Hastings, a Scotsman, arrived in Australia on the Southesk (ship) in May 1882. He came to Ipswich almost immediately, and married Margaret Jane Edward in December. Initially, John worked at John Halley's bakery in Ipswich. He then worked in Brisbane before commencing his own bakery in Bundanba. This must have been short-lived because, by 1887 J. W. Hastings was living and working at the corner of (South) Station & Blackstone Roads, Silkstone. His bakery was located behind the dwelling. The Hastings family would live and work here for decades to come. 

Almost from the beginning, the bakery won prizes for their baked goods at shows like the Ekka. They made Digestive Malt Bread, wheatmeal bread, currant loaves and Glyx health loaf, to name a few. Hastings delivered bread around Ipswich in horse-drawn carts. 

Early in the 20th century the bakery became a family affair as John and Margaret's sons attained working age. Four of the Hastings' sons followed their father into the family business: Herbert, John, James and George. Arthur, another son became the well-known jeweller - A. E. Hastings of Brisbane Street. 

When J. W. Hastings died unexpectedly in June 1913, his widow and sons swung into action and ran the business. Herbert was apparently running the bakery by May 1914 when it was decided to trial day baking. This involved baking a couple of batches of bread during the day and doing some deliveries in the afternoon and following morning.  This was very unusual at a time when other bakers in Ipswich were baking during night-time hours and early hours of the morning. There was some concern regarding client perceptions as to the freshness of the bread delivered in the morning, although the difference between day baking and traditional night-time production was only a few hours. 

In 1929 James, Herbert, John and George were all employed in the bakery, still known by their father's name: J. W. Hastings. The bakery was fined two pounds for working outside the hours dictated by the Bakers & Pastrycooks Award. In addition, all four brothers were ordered to pay court costs of 3 shillings & 6 pence each. Over time the bakery was referred to as just Hastings Bakery.

The 1940s were significant for the family bakery for several reasons. Key family members were lost when Margaret died in 1940, and James died in 1948. James had already been retired for three years at that stage. In addition, in 1945 there was a bread strike. At the end of the strike Herbert was part of a delegation that traveled to Canberra to meet with the Price Fixing Commission. In January 1948, eleven out of the 12 Ipswich bakeries decided to participate in a cooperative scheme. This meant that consumers would have just three bakers delivering in their area, instead of potentially several. The purpose was to minimize duplication of bread delivery. Cost of delivered loaves was seven pence each. 

Five years later in 1953 Herbert died, and by that decade's end, the bakery was 72 years old and George too had died. John was the last baker of the second generation remaining, passing away in 1968.  These losses must have severely impacted this family- owned and operated business. It is unknown how long Hastings Bakery traded into the 1960s and beyond, or whether a third generation of bakers was born and raised. It is believed that Hastings Bakery building was demolished in the mid 1980s. 

John Edward Hastings lived at 123 South Station Road, Silkstone.