Namoi Valley Bricks closing

IT has been a year of mixed emotions for local business owners Gerard and Michael Broekman as they prepare to close down the family-owned Namoi Valley Bricks after a lifetime of hard work.

This photograph was taken at Gunnedah Brickyards (now Namoi Valley Brickworks) in 1905. Photo: Gunnedah and District Historical Society.

Sad for the family and the community, Michael Broekman acknowledged that there comes a time in every business where the crossroads demand a definitive decision for the future.

“We have tried to sell the business over the past 18 months as we value what it means to the community and our employees, but the offers were just too low, equating to half the land value,” he said.

“A great deal of expertise is needed to run a brick-making business, and a limited number of people have those skills.”

Namoi Valley Brickworks staff 2006. Front row, from left, Steven O’Dea, Vince Winsor, Wayne Barwick, Darren Rennell, Matthew Budden, Warwick Saddler, Daniel Stephenson, Gerard Broekman, Michael Broekman. Standing, from left, Colin Small, Brady Tudgey, Dayle White, Gavin Rennick, Bernard Hayne, Ray Gaynor (front), Jacob Bennett (back), David Locke, Warwick Wood, Luke Steele, Daniel Auld, Rodney Hall, Matthew Steele, Chris Howes (back), Ericka Lane, Chris Barnes, Craig Hannaford, Adam Budden. Photo: Supplied

As president of the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce, Michael Broekman said the hardest part in the decision was the long-term business loss to the community and having to let good staff go.

“Our annual turnover of $5 million was mostly sourced from outside the region but spent locally,” he said.

“With a network of brick sales as far north as Cairns in Queensland to Adelaide in South Australia, Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle areas, it will be a huge loss.

“Only three brick-making companies will be left in NSW including PGH, Austral and one family-owned business in Wingham.”

Production of bricks was phased out in December last year and the past six months have been spent rehabilitating the site, including offloading machinery.

Gerry Seuren, Gerard Broekman and Theo Broekman during the early days. Photo: Supplied

While the closure of the business was a difficult decision to make, the family is proud of its many years of service to the Gunnedah community and beyond and the chance to mentor young people as they make their way in life.

Namoi Bricks is an immigration success story for the Broekman and van Dorst families, who took a giant leap of faith, acquiring the business in 1959.

Tony Broekman had been a brickmaker in his hometown of Gilze-Rijen in southern Holland, the family association with the craft dating back as far as 1760.

MARIE HOBSON