John Weetman Harris was born in Castlemaine on February 13th, 1937. He began his schooling at Castlemaine North Primary School, and attended Castlemaine High School for two years, before completing his secondary education at Wesley College, where his studies had a focus on business.
Peter, John’s brother, said John was a talented cricketer in his youth, playing with Guildford Cricket Club for seven years, winning two premierships, and Castlemaine United Cricket Club for more than 15 years, winning four premierships.
“He was an all-rounder, but predominantly a batsman. He represented the local region at Country Week competitions in Bendigo and Melbourne.”
When John completed his schooling, his grandfather Wright Harris encouraged him to join the family business, The Castlemaine Bacon Company. He was the first member of the fourth generation of the family to join the company. Peter remembers John had always spent a lot of time at the factory as a boy, helping out in school holidays. After formally starting work as an 18-year-old, fresh out of school, he quickly set about learning all the different areas of the business from the floor, the products, logistics, finances and in a short time he was running the place.
When he began work there were 15 employees, and in 2005, when the business was sold, it employed over 1200 people, including distribution depots throughout Australia. He stayed with the business for a further three years, sharing his expertise, before retiring in 2008.
John worked hard to develop the company, making it a household name Australia wide, always emphasizing the importance of our products having a good and consistent quality.
John also built good relationships with his staff and appreciated their contribution. He was often quoted as saying “You can’t have a good business without good people”.
Travelling overseas, John enjoyed researching new manufacturing equipment to progress the business and make production more efficient.
In the 1980’s the company purchased a new slaughter line from Germany, enabling the business to process 1500 pigs per day, to meet the ever-growing demand.
In the 1990’s the business expanded into salami production after purchasing the latest salami manufacturing equipment from Italy.
David, John’s son, said his father also worked to address supply by establishing two large piggeries at Bears Lagoon and Girgarre.
Along the way the company also bought other smallgoods companies, and kept those brands circulating in the market.
“We were proud to have been selected by Aldi to supply its stores, when it established itself in Australia,” recalls David.
In addition to his successful working life John is also fondly remembered for his love of travel, and family holidays.
He was a respected member of the Rotary Club of Castlemaine for 28 years, and through the business also sponsored and supported various community events, including the Castlemaine and District Agricultural Show annual Fireworks Display, and the Castlemaine State Festival.
John was farewelled with a service at the Church of Christ on November 15th.
He is survived by his wife Erika, and his children Ross, Kathryn, David, Mark, Krysley, Klyne and Kyrah, grandchildren Katie, Ruby Spencer, Rhys, Ryley, Reuben, Bridie and Zahli, and great grandson Charlie.
