Wallace Bishop

Company Founder

Wallace Bishop learned his trade in Birmingham and was awarded the Prince of Wales Medal from City and Guilds London for his outstanding craftsmanship in 1897. He also received first class diploma awards from the Birmingham Trade Exhibition in 1898.

In 1909, he moved to Australia and was employed as a diamond ring maker with Flavelle, Roberts and Sankey Jewellers of Queen Street, Brisbane. He also encouraged his colleagues from Birmingham to migrate to Australia to bolster the firm's manufacturing division.

Wallace Bishop Expansion

1917 - Wallace Bishop starts his own manufacturing factory in Elizabeth Street, Brisbane. He introduces many new facets to the trade, including vitreous enamelling of jeweller badges, items that were previously imported.

1922 - The company expanded which led to the opening of a factory and retail store at 125 Adelaide street.

The Loyal Watch & More Expansions

1934 - Wallace Bishop Junior born, same years as Carl Bishop introduces the Loyal watch, quality timepieces which Wallace Bishop still sells today.

1939 - The Wallace Bishop Arcade opens on the same day World War II began.

1940 - Wallace Bishop publishes the first series of The Brides' Book, a guide to wedding etiquette and procedure, at the time an innovative marketing technique. The Australian Defence Department appoints Wallace bishop as its official enamel badge maker.

Remodeling & New CEO

1960's - Always an inventor and problem solver, Wallace develops and manufactures state of the art work benches to assist employees with their focused and precise work. He imports and makes new machinery to improve utility and efficiency.
By 1967 Wallace Bishop is the largest jewellery manufacturer in Queensland, employing more than 160 people across its retail and manufacturing arms.

1967 - Wallace oversaw a dramatic change in shopping behaviour with the advent of the large shopping centre. Realising that this was the way of the future, Wallace Bishop shops take prime position in this retail phenomena. Toombul was the first of many shops in all the major shopping centres in Queensland. By 2017, only one store is a freestanding entity.

Celebrating 105 Years

1997 - Stuart Bishop joins the family business in 1985. He completes a Diploma in the Study of Diamonds and Diamond Grading at the Gemological Institute of America. Stuart Bishop wins the prestigious 1997 De Beers Australian Diamond Facets Supreme Design Award for the 5.35 carat princess cut diamond inverted in platinum.

1998 - The old Stubbies factory is refurbished and the new Wallace Bishop headquarters are united under one roof in Newstead where you stand today.

2017 - As a proud Australian family-run business, Wallace Bishop now has over 38 stores and 300+ employees and will continue to embrace and carry forward the century of legacy and traditions.