A Trip Down Memory Lane

The 140-Year Legacy Of The Porters Group

Mackay’s longest standing hardware store is turning 140 on August 13, and the history behind this locally owned business is one for the books – literally! For The Porters Group’s 125 years of service, Ray Braithwaite OAM wrote 'The End of the Beginning' – a commemorative book explaining the history of The Porters Group. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves – let’s start at the beginning, where it all began with founder Charles Porter.

1883 - Taylors Hotel (known as Empress of India Hotel at the time)

Without the use of power tools, ready-mix cement or mechanical lifts, Charles Porter and his team finished construction of the hotel in nine months. They relied on manual tools of the trade, including ladders, winches and transport through horse and bullock drawn carts.

1912-1913 – Mackay’s Town Hall

Charles Porter was involved in the construction of Mackay’s Town Hall and introduced hardware and plumbing supplies into the business. The new products included Rogers Paint, Wunderlich Art Metal and hot water systems, oil engines, electric light installations, gas and wood stoves.

1916 – Mackay Master Builders Association

A long-standing relationship was formed between The Porters Group and Master Builders, with Charles Porter attending the inaugural meeting to form the Mackay branch. He was one of the earliest contributors to the association, as he was committed to supporting Mackay’s building and construction industry – a value The Porters Group continues to uphold today.

1930 – Brisbane Street showroom

The Porters Group Brisbane Street showroom opened on the corner of Brisbane and Gordon Streets with the motto ‘anything in building material’. This site is the same location the current Porters Mitre 10 Mackay City business stands today.

1971 – Hay Point Coal Terminal

The Porters Group supplied material for the construction of Hay Point Coal Terminal, a significant development for coal mining in the region at the time.

Early 1980s – Moranbah and Dysart

Materials were supplied for the construction of the Moranbah and Dysart townships that are now home to over 12,000 residents.

1985 – The Trade Expo

In 1985, businesses were not allowed to trade on Sundays unless it was outside the standard business premises, so The Porters Group introduced The Home Show and over time it became the annual Porters Group Trade Expo.

1998 – Charlies Coffee Shop

The iconic café, that’s still very loved today, opened with the motto ‘food that tastes like home’.

2002 – Porters Whitsunday Trade Store

The Porters Group opened a trade store in Cannonvale, supplying the Whitsundays with building supplies and hardware needs.

2017 – Porter Mitre 10 Marian, Sarina and Cannonvale

The Porters Group announced the acquisition of the Woodman’s Stores in Marian, Sarina and Cannonvale – joining the Mitre 10 buying group in Australia.

2020 – Porters Northern Beaches Trade Centre

Northern Beaches gets their own trade centre – with Porters Northern Beaches Trade Centre opening in August 2020. It was rebranded in 2022 and Inspirations Paint added in 2023.

The Porters Group is more than a local hardware store; it’s a true cornerstone of our community. The history of The Porters Group is rooted in the growth of the Mackay and Whitsunday region, developing townships for families, hotels for locals to gather, industrial facilities to boost local employment – the list truly goes on, and you can read more about the history of The Porters Group on their website – www.porterscando.com.au.

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