Silver Plated Cheese Dish from Victoria Parade Brewery, 1882

Brewery Interest. Silver plated cheese dish and cover engraved 'Presented To Thos. Aitken Esq. On His Birthday By His Employees As A Token Of Esteem, Victoria Parade Brewery, March 23, 1882'. Scottish born Thomas Aitken arrived in Victoria in 1842 and by 1851 he had established The Corio Brewery in Geelong. By 1854 Aitken had set up a grand brewing enterprise in East Melbourne called The Victoria Parade Brewery. The brewery building, now apartments still dominates the East Melbourne skyline. By the time of his death in 1884 the brewery was considered one of the most successful businesses in Melbourne. Eventually the company combined with others to form Carlton and United Breweries. 33 cm high