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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
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The Retail Traders' Association of Victoria (1954) is the successor to the Master Drapers' and Traders' Association of Victoria (c. 1939), which succeeded the Victorian Master Drapers' Association (1909). It represents 12 000 Victorian retail outlets, nine-tenths of which have ten or fewer employees. The association's most influential period was 1920-60, coinciding with the heyday of central city shops and department stores. Its presidents included Sir Edgar Coles, Sir Arthur Coles (G.J. Coles & Co.), Sir Frank Richardson (Cox Brothers) and Sir Leo Curtis (Bradman's Bags, Lord Mayor of Melbourne 1964).