Hendersons Canvas and Manufacturing business closes

It was 1974 when Max Henderson decided to open his own camping goods store, and he’s worked there ever since. He did retire 15 years ago, but he still has a uniform, and has regularly returned to help out.

Most of Max’s years in the shop were spent with his son Mark, who joined the business full time in 1981. He’d been working there after school since it began though.

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Max believes the business may be the only one in Bendigo to have staying so long in the same family, with the same name.

It began with a different name, but it’s had the same moniker since moving to Long Gully in 1981.

Mark Henderson joined the business as a young man, after a stint as a sheet metal worker. He’s been there ever since.

He’ll be sad to leave, but is looking forward to the chance to travel, and spend time with his grandchild.

Working with your Dad might seem tricky to some, but Mark said that after a while you just get used to it.

His dad thought roughly same. Max described the longstanding working relationship with his son as a “great association”.

Max will miss the people he’s met during his time in the business, and seeing customers daily.

“I’ll miss the chit chat,” Max said.

“I’ll miss the conversation with many of my elder clients and the association with people.”

When Max opened the shop it mainly stocked camping and fishing materials. But after moving from Mitchell Street to Long Gully the business was able to expand into canvas manufacture, making tents, and covers for trailers and caravans.

But the demand for that is low now, so the Hendersons closed that aspect of the business at Christmas time.

Max may have retired 15 years ago, but now the shop is shutting up for good, he is looking forward to having more time to fish with his buddies.

He began the business partly because of his love for camping and fishing. He’s proud of the success of the business, which he attributes to “honesty, quality and service”.

It’s been hard work, but Max has been glad to do it.

“I don’t know where the time’s gone. It’s been a marvelous time,” Max said.

“It’s been good to us, we’ve worked very hard.”

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