THE AUSTRALIAN ARK – Federation to the Modern Era | 1900–1982
In the Rutherglen region during these war years, vignerons Allen and Isabel Campbell diversified their property into a mixed farm to provide a more secure income. Wine was sold direct to customers and sent by rail. This proved to be successful enough to inspire confidence and the purchase of another 39 acres, including 10 acres of vines. These efforts and continued prosperity in mixed farming during the 1950s would create the foundations for a thriving wine business in the next decades. Among the pioneering styles were fortified wines based on brown muscat and tokay (muscadelle). These wines were stored in a modified solera system established around 1935. . . . The wartime economy, in which all resources – economic, domestic, and industrial – were directed to strengthening Australia’s war effort, forced families and businesses to adapt to new daily routines and pressures. Rationing was introduced in March 1942, and labour shortages in factories and on the land began to burden state and federal governments. Although petrol rationing had been introduced in 1940 to reduce consumption by 50%, it was not strictly enforced until 1942, when motorists were obliged to apply for a petrol licence with a system of ration tickets based on individual needs. Even so, Australian wine was still exported to England throughout the war, despite the risk to shipping. A quota system had been introduced by the British government prior to 1939. During 1937 and 1938, a record 3,711,000 gallons were shipped to the UK, whereas wartime Australian vintages were not bumper years, and the quotas were never filled. By 1942/1943, exports had reduced to a record low of 80,500 gallons. Even though there were significant hogshead cask and bottle shortages in 1946, exports rose to 2,042,000 gallons in 1946/1947, after the war had ended. Prior to the war, work in the factories and on the land had been primarily a man’s role. But the war effort needed factory and farm workers to meet required productivity. Women from towns and the country were recruited to work in munitions and assembly factories. After July 1942, many joined the AWLA, which was formed to assist farmers with their crops, and they were deployed to help with harvests and processing. Known for their distinctive trim khaki uniforms with wide-brimmed hats, the Land Girls, as they were called, were managed with military precision and accommodated in hostels, many constructed for that purpose, some with asbestos cement walls. South Australia’s State Director Dorothy Marshall fielded many SOS calls from vineyards around the state seeking help. It was estimated that South Australia alone would need three thousand recruits. In 1943, hundreds worked in the Riverland to help with the dried fruit industry, including the harvest of 80,000 tons of ‘lexia’ grapes, much of which was turned into wine.
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