Golden Fleece signage finds new home at Sommers’

Trevor Sommers felt it was important the sign did not leave the area when Watson’s closed in 2021 after more than 60 years of trading. Photos: Marsha Fotogràfiê, Maleny. 

by Janine Hill 

THE Golden Fleece sign which once stood at Watson’s Garage, Maleny, has been resurrected thanks to a sentimental servo owner.

The sign now stands proudly with two Golden Fleece bowsers at Sommers’ Fuel Supplies, Witta, where the display is turning heads.

Trevor Sommers felt it was important the sign did not leave the area when Watson’s closed in 2021 after more than 60 years of trading.

With the help of good mate Neil Commings, a long-time Watson’s employee, he approached the new owners about selling the sign.

Photos: Marsha Fotogràfiê, Maleny. 

“We went to see the new bloke and he wanted to sell the sign to an auction place,” Trevor said.

“We explained to him that it was a part of Maleny and we would appreciate it if he would sell it to us on the condition that we would erect it and it would never leave Maleny.

“He had a think and he agreed to sell it to us.”

Trevor engaged Shane Bailey, of SRB Industries, Witta’s version of the Rick’s Restoration TV show, to restore the sign.

Shane said the sign would have been one of the few, if not the only one, to have remained on display at a garage for more than 50 years.

“Golden Fleece was Australian fuel and it was bought out by Caltex in 1981 and all the signs would have been torn down. 

The rams were only made of blown plastic so when workers were pulling them down, they wouldn’t have survived.

The sign was carefully removed from Watson’s and taken to Shane’s place where he removed the delicate ram and used it to make a mould for a new fibreglass one capable of standing up to another 50-60 years in the weather.

The corroded aluminium backing was cleaned and necessary electricals replaced in order to illuminate the sign once again.

Trevor also had Shane restore two 1950s fuel bowsers that had been rescued from a boat yard at Ningi, near Bribie Island, years ago to go on display with the sign.

The Golden Fleece sign and bowsers were erected at Sommers’ Fuel Supplies at the beginning of November, where the precious garagenalia is guarded by a security system.

Trevor said the owners of vintage and retro cars were enjoying the Golden Fleece photo opportunity and people who knew the sign were glad to see it again.

“All the feedback we’ve had from locals is that they’re so happy to see it stay in Maleny. It’s not for me, it’s for everyone.”