DECLAN MURPHY

Propriator Declan Murphy

New proprietor Declan Murphy returned after a six year sojourn in Australia to take over the family business and brings with him vast experience in the trade.

He is proud of the long family tradition, noting “If you told somebody in Australia that a business was in operation for 120 years, they are impressed; Australia as a country only celebrated its bicen-tenary of Federation in 1988. It Is a huge achievement and is due to the dedication of the generations that went before me.”

Declan concedes that it was always his ambition to take up the reins in the family business. Having spent five years boarding at Rockwell College, after which he went to Dublin to work with Bests Clothing outfitters for up to 12 years, he rose through the ranks to store manager in O’Connell St., and finally outfitting buyer.

Taking a year out in 1993, Declan headed for Australia where he was employed by Grace Brothers for six months. After a year Down Under, he returned to Newcastle West and the family business before heading back to Australia in 2002. DecIan took up employment with David Jones, a clothing company that employs about 10,000 staff in 37 department stores.

He was duty store manager at the company’s Burwood outlet. “I have been in the trade for as long as I can remember, I enjoy it, I like meeting the people and providing a good service. Down the track I have a young son called Patrick aged 3 so he might be number 5 in the succession line. Who knows?” stated Declan.