The Tradition Lives On

Syd Hill & Sons History. The Hill Family have been manufacturing saddles for over five generations. Commenced in the mid1800's by John Hill, a craftsman saddler newly arrived from England, the business has developed over a century, from a small shop in the town centre to the present factory complex situated at Brendale in Brisbane. John's son Frederick was apprenticed to his father in1870 and soon was presented with medals and awards at the universal exposition of 1889, in Paris, and other exibitions around Australia for his craftsmanship in saddlery. The family business passed on from Frederick to his son Sydney, in 1934 and then to Arthur, James and Frederick in 1948. At this time, James innovative skills and foresight into the needs and wants of the new generation of horsemen succeeded in turning the company into the largest manufacturer of leather saddlery and goods in the southern hemisphere. In 1993, James and Arthur retired and Paul (son of James) and his wife Leanne carried on as the directors of Syd Hill & Sons.