After more than 40 years of making top-quality watercraft for private paddlers and commercial tour companies, the owners of Australis Canoes & Kayaks are taking a well-deserved retirement.
Started in 1984 by paddlesport-mad brothers John and David Slattery, the business near Bellambi Bunnings is now closing up its shop, with the premises due to change hands in two and a half months.
It's the end of one of Australia’s greatest manufacturing success stories, an enterprise responsible for designing and making thousands of plastic canoes, kayaks, sea kayaks and sit-on-tops that are used throughout the country, including by our local Illawarra Canoe Club.
Earlier this week, David told the Illawarra Flame when and why the business began.
“My brother John and I first started making canoes in fibreglass during the 60s and 70s, when we were in Scouts and then the Illawarra Canoe Club, where we managed the canoe moulds for members to make their own canoes.
“Although we originally produced fibreglass canoes and kayaks, in 1987 Australis started making plastic canoes in Wollongong under the name Canoeworld. As the business grew, we later moved to a larger factory in Mountain Range Road, Woonona. When we moved to the Watts Lane property in 1998, we changed the company name to Australis Canoes as we thought it provided for better brand recognition.”
The team built everything used in the manufacturing process, including the canoe and kayak moulds (and later the rotational moulds), and the industrial-sized ovens (used to ‘bake’ the moulds).
Since the company started making canoes and kayaks in the “more robust and durable” polyethylene in 1987, it has grown to become Australia’s largest plastic rotational moulder of canoes and kayaks, sea kayaks and sit-ons.
David's career has included many highlights, including "getting paid to do something you love to do and being able to introduce new people to the sport".
“Meeting customers has always been a highlight with many great friendships being formed over the decades. We have always appreciated the many customers who have approached us at outdoor shows or on the river to tell us how much they love their kayak or canoe and tell stories of the adventures they have had with their family.
“Also, when new customers come in and tell me that they used our canoes in Scouts and now want to buy one to share the experience with their own family.”
Outside of work, David had great success as a paddler and enjoyed many adventures on the water.
“Highlights would have to be two fantastic 10-day sea kayaking trips through the Whitsundays and paddling in Tasmania. Tasmania is a fantastic destination for paddlers. There are so many amazing places to experience, both on inland waterways and on the ocean.
“In marathon kayaking, I completed the Nepean 100 Miler in five consecutive years to be awarded a gold medal (in TK1). I competed in multiple 111km Hawkesbury Overnight Classics and several NSW State Championships in TK2 with long-time paddling partner Alan Wilson.
“These days I enjoy the chance to paddle regularly with the Illawarra Canoe Club and Illawarra Ramblers where great friendships have been made. Other opportunities to catch up with others in the paddling community are events run by the NSW Sea Kayak Club and an annual four-day paddle on the Macquarie River in western NSW (WomDomNom).”
David and his wife Heather agree that closure of the business marked the end of an era. But even though it’s bittersweet, Heather said they are looking forward to retirement because it meant more time to themselves and with their family.
When The Illawarra Flame spoke to David earlier this week, he was busy completing final orders but there were still some new, factory second, and second-hand models available.
"The factory site has been sold, and we are now deciding what to do with the business. We still have plenty of stock available and everything that is in stock has been discounted to clear. With the warmer weather starting, now is the time to grab a fantastic bargain before they are gone.”
For more details, visit www.canoes.com.au, call (02) 4285 2000 or visit the factory at 7 Watts Lane, Russell Vale.