Fourty years ago, Robert ‘Andy’ Gordon walked into a ten by eight foot tin shed, picked up a lump of clay and turned his potters wheel. The Pack Track Pottery was born. But the story and inspiration for Robert Gordon dates long before 1979 and a rickety home made studio.
Andy’s mother, the renowned Australian potter June Dyson, set up her studios in 1945. June formed a formidable partnership with her husband Colin who became the company’s business director.
June’s second son Andy showed most interest in the pottery, helping out in the studios from his early twenties. It was inevitable that Andy would one day follow in his mother’s footsteps. And having married his English wife Barbara, the couple set about moulding their dream.
Barbara emigrated from the UK, bringing with her English design sensibilities, a love of colour and all things practical. She was the driving force behind the designs and the product, operating as Robert Gordon's Creative Director for more than 40 years - a role now held by her daughter Kate.
By 1987 it was time for the company to expand. A factory in Pakenham was bought and Robert Gordon had grown from a tin shed with a dirt floor to a large purpose built headquarters.
What was once known as the Pack Track Pottery has now developed into a large production pottery, employing over 30 staff. From supplying wares to Sunday tourists at the St Kilda markets, to providing some of the world’s most reputable retailers and restaurants with quality ceramics, those early years spent as a studio pottery means we still place enormous importance on the craft of pottery.
To keep up with the times and the demand, RGA is not only a manufacturer of bespoke Australian made pottery these days but an importer too. Designs dreamed up at our Pakenhan HQ are sent off to China to be made into the pieces that become part of the ever popular collections we are so proud of.
A love of pottery has been handed down from June Dyson to Robert and his children. The family has been immersed in the world of ceramics for over seventy years. This is a story unlike any other pottery in Australia.
