VIC DRAPER

Born in 1912.

Vic started his working relationship with the Winery in 1950.

Notes from Vic Draper, Turned 90 years in January 2002

I phoned F. Miller and Co. and spoke to Vic Hooper to see if he could help with times for the installation of equipment at Berri. Vic H. said he would check the job sheets and also said Vic Draper had just turned 90 years of age and was living at PO Box 2122, Wellington Point, QLD 4160. Phone is (07) 3207 5445.
Called Vic and he was bright as a button. I said I would send him a letter with some queries and he said he would put on his thinking cap.
Vic recalled how they started the company at Ottaway, which in those times was a dump area.

The company had started in materials handling and one day in 1950, the Chief Engineer at the West End Brewery and Jack Kilgour played a round of golf and Jack said he wanted someone to build a grape bin. Jack was given Vic's name and asked if Vic would be interested in designing a grape receival bin with an auger for the Tattachilla Winery. That was F. Miller and Co.'s entry to the wine industry. Their second bin was for Ron Potter at Miranda Bros Griffith.
I remember their first job for Berri was the supply of augers for the new crusher bins at No. 1 Cellar. We need to pin that down. Was 1968. I told Vic that Brian Barry, Ian McKenzie had swapped yarns for my wine story last Wednesday and we were stumped on who built the MacKenzie foredrainers which we installed for the 1968 vintage. Next query was who built the 4 Stage MAC Press, which we installed for the 1969 vintage. In both cases F. Miller @ Co. had built. There must have been some liaison between Bim Treliving, Jock MacKenzie and F. Miller & Co.

After I left in 1973 the first enclosed Miller Drainers were installed above the Red Fermenter area. A number of these drainers were in place for the 1977 vintage when a COQ 1000 mm diameter was installed. Also Mauri Bros and Thomson trialed a new style drainer that was partially successful with the fast draining white varieties, such as Crouchen.

I promised Vic Draper that I would send some notes and he will put on his thinking cap. Letter sent 230402 and Vic phoned on Friday 16th May 2002. Just torn a ligament in his good knee. Hopes to be in Adelaide this October and will give me a call.

More Notes from Vic

Co2 drainers at BCWD in 1976 or 1977

Recalled that the Wine Industry personnel were very good and free to assist with equipment trials. Names mentioned were Bryce Rankine, Malcolm Kraft at TST Nuri, Bryan Dolan at Salter's Angaston Had a stoush with Jock MacKenzie and Bim Treliving when Millers built their CO2 Drainer. Lindemans had them build a drainer and then supplied a Queen's counselor for the Court Case. Proceedings were withdrawn. Vic and Ron Potter had a marvelous association and often worked in tandem for various companies. Vic recalls the good old days when a handshake would seal the deal.

Worked for Colton Palmer and Preston and Harris Scarfe before joining Frank Miller. Used to do the books since Frank was a doer not a recorder.\