Otto Yuncken, Company Co-Founder & Director (1925 – 1930)
Otto was born in Lyndoch, South Australia in 1865. He moved to Melbourne in 1885 establishing Hansen Yuncken with Lauritz Hansen in 1918. Otto was instrumental in the start up of the Shepparton projects due to his working arrangements with Glad Askew, the architect for SPC and other fruit industry clients. In August 1925, Otto Yuncken signed the first major contract in regional Victoria with Ardmona Fruit Products Pty Ltd, undertaking the warehouse works for the SPC Ardmona Cannery in Mooroopna.
1925, Ardmona Food Products Cannery. Various projects including: new timber factory, new cool rooms
1925 – 1929, Shepparton Preserving Co. Various projects including: timber frame factory, timber cool rooms, factory extensions, packing rooms
1930 – Kyabram Preserving Company, Kyabram. cannery extensions.
Hartley Hansen – Director in Charge (Hartley worked with Otto and carried on until 1960)
Hartley joined HY after finishing school in 1914. He worked in estimation and construction supervision roles accumulating his skills in regional Victoria before being appointed as Director with responsibility for the Shepparton office in 1945.
1925 – 1959, Shepparton Preserving Co, Shepparton Vic, various projects (x 34): timber frame factory & timber cool rooms, refrigerated plant rooms, factory extensions and alterations, warehouses, main office and Canberra House alterations and hostel huts for a women’s hostel.
1925 – 1957, Ardmona Food Products Cannery, Mooroopna Vic, Various projects: new timber frame factory and cool rooms, refrigeration plant room, factory extensions, main office.
1929 – 1950, Kyabram Preserving Company, Kyabram Vic, Various projects: cannery extensions, cool rooms, refrigerated engine rooms, main office and dining/canteen building
1936, Terminus Hotel, Shepparton Vic, hotel extensions
1938, Shepparton Butter Factory, Shepparton Vic, factory extension and alterations
Frank Crowle – Shepparton Manager 1945 – 1954
Frank joined HY in 1931, served as a Lt Colonel in World War II, and led the Shepparton branch from 1946. Renowned for his leadership and fairness, he managed major postwar regional expansions and supported many local industry associations.
1925 – 1929, Shepparton Preserving Co, Shepparton Vic, various projects: timber frame factory
1929 – 1950, Kyabram Preserving Company, Kyabram Vic, Various projects: cannery extensions, cool rooms, refrigerated engine rooms, main office and dining/canteen building
1953, Cleckheaton Wool Mills, Shepparton Vic, brick factory extensions
Frank Hansen Director in Charge 1955 – 1967
1955 – 1967 – Shepparton Preserving Co, Shepparton Vic, various projects: sugar room extensions, cool room construction, factory extension
1955 -1967 – Cleckheaton Wool Mills Shepparton, Tatura and Mooroopna Vic, Various projects: factory extensions, engineers shop, living quarter constructions
1961 – Wheeler Street Post Office, Shepparton Vic, Divisional Store and Line Depot
1959, Shepparton Co-operative Butter Factory, Shepparton Vic, Extension to warehousing
1962, Mooroopna District Hospital laundry extension
Hotel construction in various locations:
1963, Victora Hotel, Shepparton, alterations and additions
1955, Courthouse Hotel, Shepparton, alterations and additions
1966, Overlander Hotel, Shepparton
1967, “Blue Hotel” (now known as Blue Brick Hotel), Kyabram, repairs
Industrial Projects:
1958 & 1960, Cleckheaton Yorkshire, Shepparton. Various project: extension to living quarters & dining rooms, brick extension to woollen factory, knitting mills, extension to engineers shop and 1 bay of factory
1962, Stuarts Bacon Factory, Shepparton. Factory extension and new cool rooms
1965 & 1960 Cleckheaton Yorkshire, Mooroopna. Various: Alterations and extension to factory
1967, Shepparton Butter Factory, Shepparton. Laboratory
1967, Tatura Milk, Tatura. Various projects: main office and alternations to laboratory, office and factory extension, evaporator and spray dryer.
1962, 1967, J Furphy and Sons, Shepparton. Various: extension to foundry, brick additions,
1957 & 1965, Northern Pear Growers, Mooroopna. Various projects: Factory, cool rooms, engine room, alterations to factory
1963, 1965, 1966, Tatura Milk, Tatura. Various: Extension to packing department, main office and alterations to laboratory, extension to spray dryer room, evaporator and spray dryer room
1961, Carnation Factory, Merrigum. Various: Warehouse extension, roof and floor replacement
1960, 1961, 1965, Rochester Butter Factory, Rochester. Various: Extension and alterations, spray powder plant and warehouse, engine room, cool room and warehousing.
Max Hansen Director in Charge 1968 – 1974
1969, Shepparton Preserving Co, Shepparton. Cool store, cannery, warehouse, case shed
1969, Cleckheatons Wool Mills, Benalla Vic
1971, Shepparton State Office State Government, Shepparton. New office block cnr Wyndham & Vaughan Streets.
1973, Hotel Australia, Shepparton. Alterations and additions to ground floor, bars and dining room
1974, 40 house subdivision, Logan and McRae Estate Shepparton. Construction of 40 houses
1975, Bank of NSW, Shepparton. Alterations
Continued work with industrial partners:
1968 – 1969, Shepparton Preserving Company, Shepparton. Various: Roofing between cool stores, brick walls to case shed, cool storage, canning processing area, warehouse
1968, Shepparton Butter Factory, Shepparton. Casein room, piggery, extension to stores receival area.
1971, Mooroopna Butter Factory, Mooroopna
1969, 1970, J Furphy and Sons, Shepparton Vic, Extensions to factory.
1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, Tatura Milk, Tatura Vic. Amenities and workshop building, roller and spray dryer rooms, laboratory.
1969, Cleckheaton Yorkshire – Benalla.
1968, 1970, 1974, Dundas Simpson Orchards Mooroopna Vic. Extension to packing shed and cool rooms, Cool store.
1969, 1970, 1971, Girgarre Cheese Factory, Girgarre Vic. Factory, extension.
Education works commenced:
1969, Shepparton Technical School, Shepparton Vic.
1970, St Colemans School, Shepparton Vic. Extension to college.
1972, St Brendans School, Shepparton Vic. Brick classroom
1973, Sacred Heart School, Shepparton Vic. Library, Art Centre, Typing Room.
Peter Hansen Director in Charge 1975 – 1984
Key projects:
1979, Goulburn Valley Base Hospital, Shepparton Vic. a public hospital of two-storey reinforced concrete on piles, complete with a full range of hospital facilities
1977, St Brendan’s Primary School, Shepparton Vic. New assembly hall
1980, IBIS Milk Products, Stanhope Vic. The project involved alterations to the existing building and the provision of structure, base and services for the spray dryer evaporator process.
1983, Shepparton Trotting Club Grandstand, Shepparton Vic. Tiered viewing area and bookies ring.
1984, Electrolux Factory & Offices, Shepparton Vic. Relocation of the Electrolux Group to a new factory, warehouse and office complex
1984, DECA (Driver Education Centre of Australia), Shepparton Vic, Second storey addition to the existing brick building to house theatre and audio facilities
1984, Ardmona Cannery Warehouse, Mooroopna Vic. Construction of cannery warehouse
Industrial projects:
1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, Shepparton Preserving Co. Shepparton Vic. Various: demolition works, warehousing, alterations, social hall extension.
1980, 1984, Ardmona Food Products, Mooroopna Vic. Sub-station and switchboard, warehouse.
1975, Nestle, Girgarre Vic. Whey separator room
1977, Nestle Tongala Vic. New packaging and labelling area
1978, Tatura Milk, Vic. Alterations and addition to Dairy factory.
1975, 1980, Carnation Milk, Merrigum Vic. Various: Warehouse,
1981, IBIS Stanhope Vic. Extension to milk treatment rooms and laboratory
1975, 1980, 1982, Carnation Merrigum Vic. Warehouse extension and repairs.
1980, Rosella Foods Tatura Vic. Factory extension.
1979, Geoffrey Thompson Cool Stores Shepparton Vic. Amenities Building.
Education:
1975, 1977, 1979, St Mels Shepparton Vic. Administration Building and alterations.
1975, 1977, 1978, Sacred Heart College Shepparton. Double storey building, alterations to school buildings.
1978, 1980, St Marys, Nathalia and Mooroopna Vic. Alterations and extensions to classrooms, new library
1981, Goulburn Valley Grammar, Shepparton Vic. New school building
Jim Lodge – Shepparton Manager 1955 – 1985
This three-decade period marked a defining chapter for Hansen Yuncken in Shepparton. Under Jim Lodge’s leadership, the business expanded well beyond its industrial base, taking on a growing portfolio of commercial projects. It was a time of diversification and consolidation, as the company broadened both the type of work it delivered and the geographic reach of its operations—spreading steadily throughout the Goulburn Valley.
1957, Northern Pear Growers, Mooroopna Vic. Factory and cool rooms
1958, Shepparton Preserving Co. Shepparton Vic. Boiler House, Shepparton
1958, Fairleys / Gaylard Bros, Shepparton Vic. Alterations to Fairleys store.
1960, Victoria Hotel, Shepparton Vic. Part demolition, extension of building and refurbishment of bars, bedrooms and bathrooms
1961, Wheeler St Post Office, Shepparton Vic. First project for Commonwealth of Australia
1965 – Shepparton Sewage Pump Station. Major Council infrastructure
1966, Kyabram Preserving Co., Kyabram Vic, Church Street warehouse
1969, Shepparton Preserving Co., Shepparton Vic. Cool store, cannery, warehouse, case shed
1974, 40 house subdivision, Logan and McRae Estate Shepparton Vic. construction of 40 houses
1978, State Electricity Commission, Shepparton Vic. Wheeler Street Offices and extensions and alterations to existing buildings
1978, Sherbourne Private Hospital (now known as Shepparton Private Hospital), Shepparton Vic. A 54-bed private hospital including site and civil works, and the construction of a single storey building complete with all services
1979 – Goulburn Valley Base Hospital, Shepparton Vic. A public hospital of two-storey reinforced concrete on piles, complete with a full range of hospital facilities
1982, Seven Creeks Run, Euroa Vic. A theme park and cultural centre comprising traditional Australian structures including wool shed, assembly hall and amphitheatre
1984, Electrolux Factory & Offices, Shepparton Vic. Relocation of the Electrolux Group to a new factory, warehouse and office complex.
Industrial
Works continued for SPC (77 projects), Shepp Butter Factory (10 project), Cleckheatons 13 projects), but expanded to Peters Ice Cream (7 projects), Tatura Milk (11 projects), J Furphys & Sons (4 projects), Campbell Soups (5 projects), Mooroopna Flour Mills (2 projects), Geoffrey Thomspon Cool Stores (4 projects), Dundas Orchards (7 projects).
Hotels
1959, 1964, 1975, Shepparton Club. Extensions, alterations and additions
1966, 1971, Overlander Hotel, Shepparton Vic. New Hotel and motel, additions.
1964, 1966, 1971, 1974, Shepparton Hotel, various alterations, new bottle shop.
1955, 1956, 1958,1973, Terminus Hotel Shepparton Vic. Various alterations and extensions
1973, Australia Hotel Shepparton Vic. Major alterations to ground floor bars and dining room
1980, Cricketers Arms Hotel, Mooroopna Vic.
Retail
1964, 1968, 1972, Fairleys, Shepparton Vic. Alternations to shop front, roadway and minor alterations
1967, 1970, 1975, Ellis Gough (Real Estate) Shepparton Vic. Brick offices and shops, Wyndham Street offices, alterations to residence.
1961, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1979, 1981, W H Young and Sons, Shepparton Vic. Various workshop and warehouse projects, alterations and extensions
Local
1958, Shepparton Bowling Club, Shepparton VIC. Extension to club rooms.
1962, City of Greater Shepparton, Shepparton VIC. Deakin Reserve Grandstand
1976, 1983, Shepparton Trotting Club Grandstand, Shepparton VIC. Tiered seating and bookies ring.
State
1959, Radio Australia Offices, Shepparton VIC. Extension, basement, delivery docks.
Schools
1967, 1973, 1978, 1979, Sacred Heart College Shepparton VIC. Conversion of convent to school rooms, Library, Art Centre, Typing Room, double storey classrooms and alterations.
Dookie College classrooms, Dookie VIC
St Brendans Primary School, Shepparton VIC
St Mels Primary School, Shepparton VIC
St Marys Primary Schools, Mooroopna and Nathalia VIC
Goulburn Valley Grammer School, Shepparton VIC
Surrounding Districts
1960, Kyabram Primary School, Kyabram VIC
1961, 1965, Rochester Butter Factory, Rochester VIC. Extensions and alterations, warehousing, engine and cool room.
1959, Younghusband Ltd Echuca Shops, Echuca VIC, new shops and storage.
1958, Imperial War Graves Commission, Tatura VIC. German War Cemetery War Memorial.
1969, 1970, 1971, Girgarre Factory and Shops, Girgarre VIC. Warehousing and extensions.
1964, Tongala Milk Factory, Tongala VIC. Extension.
1964, Kyabram Free Press, Kyabram VIC.
1967, “Blue Hotel” (now known as Blue Brick Hotel), Kyabram, repairs
1960, 1963, 1972, Victoria Hotel, Nagambie VIC. Part demolition, extensions, refurbishments and repairs.
1982, Seven Creeks Run, Euroa Vic. A theme park and cultural centre comprising traditional Australian structures including wool shed, assembly hall and amphitheatre.
Alan Scott – Shepparton Manager 1985 – 1988
Born in Kyabram in 1930, Alan dedicated 40 years to HY, rising from carpenter to manager. His unwavering commitment and deep local ties left a lasting impact on the Shepparton region.
Key projects:
1985, Laboratory Complex, Shepparton Vic. A new laboratory complex comprising a number of various laboratories and offices. These laboratories and offices combine to form the State’s principal Irrigation Research Centre.
1986, Yakka Factory, Shepparton Vic. A single level streel-framed, brick clad factory of some 3,000m2 incorporating office facilities, associated amenities and a large carpark.
1986, Shepparton Retail Shops & Showrooms, Shepparton Vic. Three portal framed brick clad shops and showrooms with associated service centres, built on reclaimed land.
Les Corrin – Shepparton Manager 1988 – 1990
Key projects:
1988, SPC Cannery Warehouse, Shepparton Vic. A new portal frame, colour bond clad warehouse of 10,300m2 with a storage capacity of 23,000 pallets.
1990, Bendigo Hospital, Bendigo Vic. The project involved the construction of a new link and kitchen building with works also including demolition and alterations to existing buildings.
Bill Robinson – Shepparton Manager 1990 – 2006
During Bill Robinson’s tenure, Hansen Yuncken began to shift away from its traditional industrial base as the dairy and fruit industries faced challenges from price wars and drought. The company adapted by diversifying its portfolio, continuing to deliver significant projects across the Goulburn Valley while also extending its reach to Bendigo, Wodonga, and Beechworth.
Key projects:
1992 – Baringa Day Care Centre, Shepparton VIC
1992 – Echuca Technical College, Echuca VIC
1992 – Glanville Village Nursing Home, Echuca VIC
1995 – Ave Maria Aged Care, Shepparton VIC. Single storey 30 bed nursing home
1996 – Meiji MGC Baby Milk Formula Factory, Cobram VIC
1998 – Goulburn Valley Base Hospital, Shepparton VIC
2000 – Goulburn Valley Base Hospital – Psychiatric Lounge Upgrade, Shepparton VIC
2006 – Goulburn Valley Health – Acute & Ambulatory Care Redevelopment, Shepparton VIC
1998 – Office Relocated from Lockwood Road to 5 Zurcas Road, Shepparton
1999 – Shepparton Police Station, Shepparton VIC
2002 – Wodonga Police Station & Courts Complex, Wodonga VIC
2004 – Beechworth Correctional Centre, Beechworth VIC. New 120-bed prison
2006 – Bendigo Police Station, Bendigo Vic
Other projects:
1992, Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Bendigo Vic
1995, Institute of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture (ISIA), Tatura Vic
2004, Wanganui Park Secondary College – Science and Tech Building, Shepparton Vic
2000, Tatura Pavilion, Shepparton Vic 2000, Notre Dame Sports Stadium, Shepparton Vic
2002, Murchison Community Centre, Murchison Vic
2003, University of Melbourne Student Accommodation Units, Shepparton Vic
2003, Seymour Police Station, Seymour Vic
2003, Seymour Central Shopping Centre, Seymour Vic
2003, Numurkah Secondary College, Numurkah Vic
2003, Mooroopna Primary School, Mooroopna Vic
2005, Echuca Aged Care – Wharparilla Lodge Stage 1, Echuca Vic
2005, Cargill Meat Processing Facility, Waga Wagga NSW
1998, CFA Offices Alexandra VIC
Jason Cox 2007 – Present
Under Jason Cox’s leadership, Hansen Yuncken expanded into Albury and strengthened its focus on major regional centres, particularly Shepparton, Bendigo, and Albury/Wodonga, with projects at times reaching as far as Wagga Wagga and Ballarat. This period has been defined by sustained growth, larger-scale projects, and a strong presence across key regional hubs.
Key Projects:
2007 – Opened Albury office – Level 1, 639D Dean Street, Albury NSW
2008 – Quest Apartments, Albury NSW. 7 storey building central Albury
2009 – Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta Vic. This award-winning project, which earned Hansen Yuncken the title of Victorian Commercial Builder of the Year, comprised the construction of a 500-seat performing arts facility complete with stage and theatre equipment, as well associated amenities
2009 – Nathalia District Hospital Redevelopment, Nathalia Vic
2009/2012/2013/2015 – Dhurringile Prison, Tatura Vic – Redevelopment (over six years)
2010 – Latrobe University Shepparton, Shepparton Vic. 5 star certified Green Star building
2012 Echuca Regional Health, Echuca VIC. Early and main works for the hospital redevelopment including new wards, radiology, rehabilitation, palliative care, emergency department, offices and ambulance bays.
2014 – Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre, Wagga Wagga NSW
2016 – Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, Albury NSW. Construction of a 3-level cancer centre with wards, treatment facilities, wellness centre, pharmacy, infrastructure upgrades, roadworks, parking and landscaping.
2016 – Rules Club, Wagga Wagga NSW. First major project delivered for Hansen Yuncken using modular construction techniques
2018 – Shepparton Villages 120 Bed Aged Care Development, Shepparton Vic.
2018, Bendigo Kangan Institute Health & Community Centre of Excellence, Bendigo Vic. An award-winning purpose-built TAFE facility for the training of nursing and community services students
2020 – Viasat New Defence Satellite Ground Sation East, Wagga Wagga NSW. Highly technical construction techniques for Defence satellite capability
2021 – Greater Shepparton Secondary College, Shepparton Vic. Spread over a 76,862m2 site, it is the largest school delivered in Victoria catering for up to 3,000 students
2023 – Puckapunyal Live In Accommodation, Puckapunyal Vic
2024 – All Saints Anglican School, Shepparton Vic. Completed in 10 months, the award-winning project is Shepparton’s first Anglican school featuring vibrant and cutting-edge facilities to support STEAM subjects
2025 – Lutheran Aged Care, Albury NSW (current construction)
2025 – St Andrews Community Housing Project, Bendigo Vic. (current construction)
2025 – Goulburn Valley Health Doctor’s Accommodation, Shepparton Vic. (current construction) Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital Early Works, Albury NSW. (current construction)
Other projects:
2024 – Baranduda Fields Soccer Pavilion and Grandstand, Wodonga Vic
2024 – Spotlight Retail Development, Shepparton Vic
2023 – La Trobe University Bendigo Space Optimisation 5 Project, Bendigo Vic
2020 – RAAF Wagga Mechanical & Building Works, Wagga Wagga NSW
2020 – Lavington Sports Ground Redevelopment, Albury NSW
2007 – Bunnings Store & Timber Yard, Wodonga Vic
2016 – Bunnings Warehouse, Yarrawonga, Vic
2009 – Aldi Store, Albury NSW
2008 – Aldi Store, Benalla Vic
2012 – Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Office & Depot, Alexandra Vic
2014 – Bendigo Courthouse Redevelopment, Bendigo Vic
2017 – Euroa Health and Aged Care, Euroa Vic
2020 – Lavington Sports Stadium, Lavington NSW
2014 – Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre, Wagga Wagga NSW
2020 – Yu Long Horse Stud Farm, Nagambie Vic
2007 – Northwood Park (Darley) Horse Stud Farm, Nagambie Vic
2012 – Bendigo Ambulance Stations, Bendigo Vic
2018 – Deniliquin Police Station, Deniliquin NSW
