One of Australia’s most loved brands, Rosella – which celebrates 128 years this year – has just unveiled a spectacular 30-foot high mural in celebration of the iconic Aussie brand on its original home and headquarters – just in time for Australia Day 2023.
Located on the east side of Rosella’s founding operational factory in Cremorne, the 30-foot high colourful mural features iconic Australiana and Rosella moments from the brand’s past 128 years, as well as modern-day imagery that reflects Australia’s diverse multicultural landscape.
“We are proud to have an iconic Australian Brand such as Rosella in our portfolio and paying homage to our rich history in the form of this fantastic Mural is a great way to provide an ongoing tribute to the brand – as part of the Rosella Precinct in Cremorne – where it all started for Rosella in 1895,” said Michael Bartholomew, CEO Rosella Brands Australia.
The mural, commissioned by Rosella Brands Australia in conjunction with the building’s owners Alchant Investments Pty. Ltd pays homage to Rosella’s rich and long history in the Cremorne precinct – and is in keeping with the heritage nature of the building complex – of which there are four heritage buildings in the Cremorne business hub – that were part of the original Rosella headquarters and manufacturing plant.
Located on the original Rosella manufacturing site – the mural features vibrant images designed by local Melbourne artist and designer, Jennifer Rosshandler and painted by four artists from HYDESIGN over an intensive two months – which include images of families cooking with Rosella products in the 1950s and of course the distinctive Rosella bird icon, as well as reflections on today’s diverse and multicultural Australian society.
“The Rosella mural is in keeping with the colourful history of this iconic Aussie brand but with a move towards depicting modern-day Australia and the diversity of our cultural landscape and will be a fitting and lasting testament to the brand’s place in Melbourne history,” said Bartholomew.
Originally established in 1895 by two friends – H.R. McCracken (a commission agent) and T.J. Press (a grocer), Rosella was initially founded in a Carlton backyard by these two gentlemen making jams and preserving fruits in a copper pot. The name for their new company was a combination of the first names of two female family members – Rose and Ella.
Arguably the brand’s most popular product – Rosella Tomato Sauce was first manufactured in 1899 and as Australian consumer demand for products started to increase, Rosella moved to a larger factory in Richmond (now subdivided and known as Cremorne) where manufacturing continued until the 1980s.
New ownership saw the iconic Aussie company acquired by Australian family-owned business, SABRANDS in April 2013. With now 23 different products throughout the Rosella product range, SABRANDS continues to take Rosella to new heights and this mural is a testament to this and the building owners desire to pay homage to Rosella and its founding headquarters.
