Foreign Language Bookshop
Encyclopedia
Foreign Language Bookshop is the oldest and largest language bookshop in Australasia
, established in 1938 as a free lending library by William Bernard (WB) Wigston.
in 1938. The primary aim of the business was to reduce migrant isolation; particularly for European migrants from Germany, France, Italy, Czechoslovakia and Austria, disembarking from ships into Australia.
Over time, increasing immigration from many other countries sparked the need to expand into new languages—a trend which continues today.
Wigston was subsequently elected to the position of Mayor of the Bourke Street Traders Association.
with his younger brother Nigel, managing mining operations in the late 1920s. He migrated to Australia in the early 30s.
A well-to-do gentleman, when Foreign Language Bookshop was started in Bourke Street it started as a library and he mainly spent his time as a share trader, using “library” staff to help keep his share records. WB lived in a Toorak mansion with a live-in maid and his cat.
He wouldn’t allow married women to work for him but made an exception for Mrs Bess Carmichael who commenced working for him as a single lady and in later years was rostered to cover brief periods for other staff on leave or away ill.
During World War II
, the library was forced to move to the corner of Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street. It was in this site that the library started to become a bookshop. Worried about his failing health in the 1940s, he used to have his chauffer Herbie follow him around when taking his morning walks as he felt it would be socially inappropriate to pass away on his walk and be left lying on the road. WB died in 1956.
WB left money in his will to all staff and willed the business of Foreign Language Bookshop to Mrs Connie Tink who sold it in 1959 to Mrs Felder, who sold it in 1966 to Mrs Leser. In 1971 Mrs Leser sold the business to Mrs Annette Monester.
During 1982, Ms Monester moved the business to the top end of Collins Street. On 9 January 2006, Mrs Monester handed over the reins to only the sixth custodian, Jacob Miceli.
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
, established in 1938 as a free lending library by William Bernard (WB) Wigston.
Brief history
WB opened the doors to Foreign Language Bookshop in Bourke Street, MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1938. The primary aim of the business was to reduce migrant isolation; particularly for European migrants from Germany, France, Italy, Czechoslovakia and Austria, disembarking from ships into Australia.
Over time, increasing immigration from many other countries sparked the need to expand into new languages—a trend which continues today.
Wigston was subsequently elected to the position of Mayor of the Bourke Street Traders Association.
History of owners (chronology)
Winston Bernard (WB) Wigston was born and raised in Ashtead Surrey, England, and was an entrepreneur who spent time in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
with his younger brother Nigel, managing mining operations in the late 1920s. He migrated to Australia in the early 30s.
A well-to-do gentleman, when Foreign Language Bookshop was started in Bourke Street it started as a library and he mainly spent his time as a share trader, using “library” staff to help keep his share records. WB lived in a Toorak mansion with a live-in maid and his cat.
He wouldn’t allow married women to work for him but made an exception for Mrs Bess Carmichael who commenced working for him as a single lady and in later years was rostered to cover brief periods for other staff on leave or away ill.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the library was forced to move to the corner of Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street. It was in this site that the library started to become a bookshop. Worried about his failing health in the 1940s, he used to have his chauffer Herbie follow him around when taking his morning walks as he felt it would be socially inappropriate to pass away on his walk and be left lying on the road. WB died in 1956.
WB left money in his will to all staff and willed the business of Foreign Language Bookshop to Mrs Connie Tink who sold it in 1959 to Mrs Felder, who sold it in 1966 to Mrs Leser. In 1971 Mrs Leser sold the business to Mrs Annette Monester.
During 1982, Ms Monester moved the business to the top end of Collins Street. On 9 January 2006, Mrs Monester handed over the reins to only the sixth custodian, Jacob Miceli.