The Full History Of Pivot

The Parker family's venture into stove making began with John James Parker, a bricklayer from Kent who arrived in Port Phillip with his family onboard the Grand Trianon in 1857. An enterprising man, John James Parker brought with him sufficient expertise in foundry Work which enabled him to immediately set to work establishing Parker & Co., manufacturers of Premier cooking ranges, stoves and small items of castings.


The Melbourne business continued to flourish and by 1876 one of the John Parker's sons, James Alexander Parker, had moved to Geelong where he set up his own manufacturing business, the Pivot Stove Company at 234-238 Moorabool Street.

James Parker was keen to improve on the conventional stove of the day, which had been based on the original colonial oven,

This brand new design described as a one fire, self-setting oven was patented as the Pivot Stove and by 1905 was making its mark in the industry.

Ovens weren't the only product to emerge from Pivot's industrious foundry; the beautiful cast iron fence which still today graces the boundaries of St Mary's Church, Yarra Street, remain a tribute to the company's early expertise.


Over the Generations, the Parker family have moved forward from Manufacturing Wood Stoves to Brickett Heaters, Through the Oil boom in the 1960's, with the Coonara Wood Heater Boom in the 1980's and now with the largest Web Site and international presence

Pivot's Family - the Parker family, have always offered the best heating solution for your home

The Generations

, Pivot have evolved to be leaders within the heating Industry

1857

John Parker and wife Jane Arrive in Australia from England aboard the Grand Trianon Setting up shop as an iron Monger in Melbourne, John manufactured Copper Washers and Fireplace Inserts

1876

James Alexander Parker (Son of John Parker) and wife Eliza move to
230 Moorabool Street Geelong (Still operating from this shop) and form Pivot Stoves, Australia's first manufacturer of Wood Stoves.
Working with other local foundry's, IXL Blackwells and Andrews Iron mongers, James went to design and manufacture the 1st Australian built Wood stove with incorporated Water Heating

1901

Charles Parker (Son of James Alexander Parker)and wife Margurite move to the newest Coal and Coke burners, selling the Convaire range of Brickett heaters.
As the manufacturing continued, Charles eventually closed down the manufacturing and focused the business in supply and installation of Brickett Heaters as well as Wood Stoves

1957

Lindsay Charles Parker(Son of Charles)and Wife Joy take over from Charles and introduce the latest Oil Heaters including the Vulcan Burwood Oil Heater.
Joy passed away in 1964 and
Lindsay eventually remarried Margery in the early 1970's
Peter Hill (Husband of Lindsay's daughter Merril) joined the business as a technician servicing Oil Heaters and stoves and continued with the Re-Building of second hand wood stoves

1985

Merril Parker (Daughter of Lindsay) and husband Peter Hill married and joined sure names to Parker-Hill to keep Pivot in the same "Family Name - Parker"

Taking over from Merril's father with the Wood Heater Boom in the 1980's and 1990's and are one of the first Australian companies to introduce the early Gas Log Fires.
It wasn't until 1996 Merril and Peter finally moved from the on site home at the rear of Pivot's Shop and expanded the Showroom and Ware house to be able to handle the growth of the business

2006

Greg Parker-Hill (Son of Peter and Merril) and wife Tammie take over and expand Pivot Geelong and open...

- (2007) Melbourne's largest Show Room with over $1,000,000 in display stock
- (2007) Open www.pivotonline.com.au in 2007, Australia;s 1st online spare parts ware house
- (2008) And expand to Pivot New Zealand (2007), wholesaling ESSE and Thermoux Wood Stoves as well as our range of Fireplace Accessories and Chiminea's

Greg (Licensed Plumber & Installer) & Tammie have been in the Heating industry for over 18 year and together they can offer knowledge, advice and understanding of the customer needs



Established in 1876 and with Geelong Largest Showroom Displaying a full range of Wood Stoves, Wood Heaters, Electric Flame Fires, Gas Log Fires, and a large range of Spare Parts

located At 234 - 238 Moorabool Street - Geelong
Melways 452 B5
We are situated in a busy part of Geelong CBD with easy parking - 50min from Melbourne CBD.

With a large range of Working Model Gas Log Fires, 30+ Wood Heaters and Wood Stoves - Electric Flame heaters and the latest with LG Air Conditioners on display

Pivot Geelong offers Supply Only or Supply & Installation
Our professional installation team can arrange full installation of any of our extensive range of
Gas Log Fires - Wood Heaters - Wood Stoves and Air Conditioners


located at Cr South Link & South Gippsland H/Way - Dandenong South
Melways 95J6

Pivot Melbourne is one of Melbourne major show rooms with over 30working model Gas Log Fires /

60+ Wood Heaters / 12+ Wood Stoves / 30+Electric Flame Heaters / interactive displays -

Pivot Melbourne offers Supply Only or Supply & Installation
Our professional installation team can arrange full installation of any of our extensive range of
Gas Log Fires - Wood Heaters - Wood Stoves and Air Conditioners

Established in 2007 and with Melbourne Largest Showroom
Displaying a full range of Wood Stoves, Wood Heaters,
Electric Flame Fires, Gas Log Fires, and a large range of Spare Parts




Established in 2007, our New Zealand Division our range of Wood Stoves and Wood Boilers direct to our New Zealand Customers

With a dedicated New Zealand web site www.pivotstove.co.nz and Staff, Pivot New Zealand Customers get the benefit of Pivot Australia's range and pricing



Australia's 1st Online Spare Parts Web Site
Offering Spare Parts for Wood Heaters and Wood Stoves as well as Fireplace Accessories all available on line with Secure payment.

Pivot's Expos and Displays

Through out the year, Pivot run a number of Expo's - Our most popular Expo is our Cooking with Wood Expo
Held in November, this 3 Day event showcases the complete range of Wood Stoves & Pizza ovens, all working - with Cooking Demonstrations, Experts flown in from around the world - from the UK, England and Canada


Pivot Web is designed to offer you the benefits of Australia's Leading Heating Supplier
in the comfort of your home

Pivot Web Supply & Delivery anywhere in Australia and New Zealand at very competitive prices
Pivot specialize in offering custom made packages to suit the customer and shipment any where in Australia

Pivot Web offers Supply Only anywhere in Australia and New Zealand



Monday 8:30 am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30 am - 5:30pm
Saturday
Geelong 8:30 - 1Pm - Melbourne 9:00 - 3Pm
Sunday - Closed

Meet the Staff...

Image of Pivot Staff 2007
Rear line - left to right
Tammie Parker-Hill (T1)(bosses wife/Accounts)- Murray Carins (Geelong Dispatch)- Christine Pitama (Dandeonong Sales)- Shane Moodie (Dandenong Manager)
Front Line
Greg Parker-Hill (Director) - Tammy Heywood (T2) (Sales & Marketing)


Image of Pivot Staff 2008

Click to Enlarge Image










Image of Pivot Stove in 1958






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Image of Pivot Showroom 1968


Image of Pivot casting from 1876

Photo of Lindsay Parker back in 1970




-- Our Philosophy is not just to sell a heater; but to find the right heater for you.. --

Last Updated: Monday 19th of October 2009 09:57:58 AM