John Oliver stands in front of the shell of his family's business, Oliver's Mensland. The store was opened by his father George, who passed it onto his brother Geoff, who subsequently passed it to his nephew Grant.
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Simon Ruppert
When Oliver’s Mensland closed its doors in September 2024, it marked the end of almost a century of operation.
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It was the late 1920s when George Oliver opened a men’s clothing store next to the National Australia Bank branch on Nunn St, Benalla.
It would have several homes, and names, before finding a long-term location at 31-33 Bridge St East.
George Oliver in his Benalla shop in the 1930s.
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In its time it was also located on the corner of Nunn St and Bridge St East where State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland currently has an office and next to the old Broken River Hotel, between it, and the laneway leading to the Denny St car park.
John Oliver said the name evolved from what his dad had named his first store.
“People selling menswear were known as mercers back then,” he said.
“So his store was Mercer and Tailor. When Geoff took over, in 1972, he joined a buying group called ‘Mensland’.
George, Geoff and John Oliver in the Benalla store that would become Oliver's Mensland. Geoff would eventually take the store over from his father, before passing it to his son Grant.
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“Which is where the name Oliver’s Mensland came from.”
John said the family business had survived many eras, the most difficult of which was during the depression.
“The footpath was full of young men without work,” John said.
“So no-one could walk down the road, or go into the shops.
“So dad would go out the back door, ride to the police station and ask them to come and clear the footpath.
George and Geoff Oliver pictured in their Benalla home.
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“Which they did. He would have to do that several times each week.”
John said Geoff was very happy to pass the business onto his son, Grant.
“He’s run it for about four years since Geoff passed.”
Grant, however, has since decided to retire.
With no family members looking to take over, the business ceased trading, almost 100 years since it first opened its doors.
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