Summary

Jack and Newell Pty. Ltd. originates from a firm founded in 1879 by William Jack, of Herberton, trading under his own name. In 1880 John Newell joined the firm and the name was changed to Jack and Newell. As new mining areas were established, branches of the firm opened to cater for the miners and their families. Eventually there were 26 branches including Muldiva, Mt Mulligan, Kooboora, Bamford, Mount Albion, Stannery Hills, Irvinebank, Watsonville, Lappa Lappa, Port Douglas and Coolgarra.

William Jack, a Scotsman, came to Queensland in 1858 and first went to Herberton with John Newell, Thomas Brandon and John Brown in search of tin. John Newell became an MLA and was the first mayor of Herberton. He died in Cairns in 1910. In February, 1916, the firm was floated and became Jack and Newell Limited.

These records cover a period from 1880 to World War I.