Eudunda Farmers Co-op Society shops in Waikerie and Barmera.

Eudunda’s, as this chain of shops was known, established six Riverland branches, each providing a local general store. These played significant roles in the Riverland communities. First was Loxton (branch number 14, in 1911). Others were Waikerie (1919), Berri (1921), Morgan (1923), Barmera (1935) and Renmark (1936). The co-op had purchased and operated the trading paddle-steamer the PS Pyap, which from 1908 to 1932 provided a wide array of goods for the Riverland stores. In early days at Waikerie, a Eudunda’s assistant would ride his bike around the town and orchards taking orders for groceries that were delivered by horse and trolley the following day.
The Berri Branch, ‘one of the better Riverland stores’ was sold in 1985 to generate cash for the co-op’s survival. One of the longest running stores was Barmera. Its longevity attributed to tourists visiting Lake Bonney and the Riverland. The Renmark store opened all day Saturdays. These were big sports days and buses brought families from other towns. While the men went to their games, the family shopped. Renmark Eudunda’s Wilf Richardson recalled emptying stale tobacco into a jar along with
a freshly cut potato. Left overnight, it was, in the morning, ‘as fresh as new’. The store was sold in 1984.

INFORMATION: Vicki Williams. PHOTOS: Eudundas.