Final days to explore the story of local textile entrepreneur at Made In Geelong: Godfrey Hirst

Wool, Weavers and a Legacy of Innovation: Godfrey Hirst Celebrates 160 Years at the National Wool Museum

Geelong has opened a significant new chapter in its cultural and industrial narrative with the launch of MADE IN GEELONG: Godfrey Hirst at the National Wool Museum. This celebratory exhibition marks 160 years of textile manufacturing in the region and offers an illuminating look at how one company has helped shape the creative and economic identity of Geelong since the nineteenth century.

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Positioned as both a historical reflection and a future-focused showcase, the exhibition invites visitors to discover the heritage and ongoing evolution of Godfrey Hirst, Geelong’s first textile company. It traces the journey from the establishment of the Victorian Woollen and Cloth Manufacturing Company in 1865 through to the cutting-edge technologies, design collaborations and industry partnerships that define the carpet and flooring company today. Drawing on archival objects from the Museum Collection and private loans, the exhibition reveals the finer details of a legacy that continues to influence the region’s design culture.

At the heart of the story is Godfrey Hirst himself. Initially trained as a weaver in Yorkshire—then the beating heart of England’s textile industry—Hirst migrated to Australia in 1883 and joined the Victorian Woollen and Cloth Manufacturing Company. It didn’t take long for his ambition to take hold. With a distinctive combination of craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit, he soon transitioned from artisan to business owner, ultimately establishing his own company and acquiring mills throughout Geelong. His imprint on the region is unmistakable and remains embedded in the city’s industrial character.

Developed in partnership with the National Wool Museum and supported by the City of Greater Geelong, the exhibition curates a rich collection of rare photographs, early mill tools, company documents, family possessions and design artefacts sourced from the Museum’s collection, the Hirst family and the company’s own archives. These pieces come together to tell a story that is not only industrial, but profoundly human—one shaped by generations of makers, engineers, designers, and creative workers whose dedication allowed the company to thrive across shifting eras of technology and economic change.

Geelong’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design provides a fitting backdrop for the exhibition. Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM notes that the city’s identity is deeply intertwined with its textile heritage, and that Godfrey Hirst remains central to that legacy. His remarks underscore the importance of the exhibition as both a cultural recognition and a celebration of the region’s ongoing role in driving Australian design and manufacturing.

National Wool Museum Director, Padraic Fisher, echoes the sentiment, highlighting how the exhibition demonstrates the power of design and the enduring impact of individual innovation. Through objects, historical accounts and personal stories, the exhibition showcases the ripple effect one company—and one visionary founder—can have on a community.

Today, Godfrey Hirst stands as one of Geelong’s leading manufacturers, actively contributing to and sustaining the local design industry. As Tania Pauling, President of Mohawk Flooring Oceania, emphasises, the company’s 160-year milestone belongs to its people, partners and city. The exhibition serves as a tribute to those whose skill, resilience and creativity shaped the company’s past and continue to guide its future.

Adding a contemporary and accessible element, MADE IN GEELONG: Godfrey Hirst includes Printed/Woven/Tufted, an interactive experience where visitors can explore the principles of carpet design firsthand. This hands-on component engages both children and adults, offering insight into the processes that drive the company’s craft and encouraging a deeper appreciation for textile innovation.

MADE IN GEELONG: Godfrey Hirst is open daily from 10am to 5pm at the National Wool Museum and runs until 1 February 2026. Thoughtful, detailed, and rooted in local pride, it stands as an important tribute to Geelong’s industrial heritage and its continuing commitment to design excellence.

Find out more here.