AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL AND BEST CAMP OVEN AND OUTDOOR COOKING CAMPING AND LIFESTYLE FORUM

Reply #10 - Apr 9^th, 2009 at 10:28pm

BillyBushCook Offline
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Harding Son wrote on Apr 9^th, 2009 at 9:08pm:

Just a corrections to the post above.

The foundry was not closed down due to workcover or poor safety concern. It closed due to the retirement of the original son.

The foundry commenced operation in 1927. From memory we also made a larger oven in limited numbers. I think around 21".

Good to see you here HS,
I can only hope you share our passion for "good, clasic, Ausie made" goods, & find my self thinking.....What happened to the patterns????
& would you be interested in reviving them??

Cheers, Mick.

Live while your'e alive, you can sleep when your'e dead.

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Reply #11 - Apr 10^th, 2009 at 7:01am

poddy dodger Offline
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Plenty of stuff I'd like to ask you H S, I've tried to find out about the Harding foundry thru the historical society in Ballarat but there is very little they could tell me. The mis-information re poor safety etc is what I was told by a bloke in another foundry !
I have several 13" ovens, one an old one with two round sprue marks on the base and the name under the lid, all the others are well marked with the name both over and under. I also have a nice 11" skillet with the name on the side.
Good ovens and I'd swap my Furphy's for them.

pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #12 - Apr 12^th, 2009 at 3:50pm

Harding Son Offline
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Talking today with the original son (Dad aka Alan), we think the first ovens were made in 1968.

Campovens were made in the following sizes
7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 and a couple of 21".

The smaller sizes were also made as casseroles with no legs and modified handles.

The foundry commenced in around 1923.

The name change from CC to C occured when the phones numbers in Victoria all went to 03 from 053

The foundry was started by Clyde Charles Harding and then taken over by 2 of the sons Bill (Clyde) and Alan. Clyde Charles passed away in 1966.

The caravan park in Korumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria has extensive selection of Harding campovens.

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Reply #13 - Apr 12^th, 2009 at 6:24pm

poddy dodger Offline
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Oh well, looks like I'll have to take a trip to Korumba...

pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #14 - Apr 12^th, 2009 at 8:20pm

sooty Offline
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poddy dodger wrote on Apr 12^th, 2009 at 6:24pm:

Oh well, looks like I'll have to take a trip to Korumba...

Better head for KArumba PD, might have a problem finding the other one Cheesy

I started out with nothing and still have most of it

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Reply #15 - Apr 13^th, 2009 at 7:39am

poddy dodger Offline
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You're right Kev, plus I always get Karumba and Kuranda mixed up, not good if you were a long distance truck driver and didn't read the delivery dockets properly. Riverstone instead of Riverwood like I did once...

pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #16 - Apr 13^th, 2009 at 11:19am

Saltbush Bill Offline
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G'day HS good to see you here.
A lot of Australias history including the history of campovens and those who manurfactured them is disapearing rapidly.
Im wondering if you have any old photos of the Harding Foundry, Ovens being cast, or anything else of interest that you might post to this page.
I understand that Photos can be personal treasures and that you may not want them on public display. Any that you may wish to post would be greatly appreciated by the members of this board im sure.
Cheers SBB

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Reply #17 - May 4^th, 2009 at 7:12pm

Kingsthorpe David Offline
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Harding Son wrote on Apr 9^th, 2009 at 9:08pm:

The foundry commenced operation in 1927.

When did it actually close?

KD

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Reply #18 - May 4^th, 2009 at 8:27pm

poddy dodger Offline
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I'm not 100% sure David but going on hearsay it was about '98 or earlier however that's only a guess. I came thru Ballarat late '98 and tried to find the foundry to buy a couple of ovens and no one I asked could point me in the right direction so I reckon it had closed down by then.
Going by the prices the last couple of Hardings brought on eBay (11" $383) I wish I'd bought a truck load.
pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #19 - Mar 28^th, 2011 at 8:13pm

WWobbler Offline
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Hi, Very interesting piece of history about the C C Harding foundry. I own a 13in oven and 13in pan. The lid from the oven also fits the pan. The pan is just fantastic and can cook up a feast. The lid also makes a great scrambled egg pan when turned upside down. I purchased my oven and pan direct from the foundry in the late 80's and had to order both so that they could be cast. I think I paid $100 for both. I note that a 11in oven went for $355 on ebay this March '10 which is a reflection of a great collectable product. But how could one part with a bit of history and the knowledge that you are cooking with Aussie thru blue. WWobbler

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