Following an arduous three months at sea, Charles Halliday arrived in Sydney in 1852. An adventurous Scotsman and a Pattern Maker and Mill Wright by trade, he set to making a new life in Australia and together with 2 colleagues from P.N. Russel & Co, he established ‘The Sydney Machine Engineering Company’ in Bathurst Street Sydney.

Business was good, the company moved to larger premises in Pyrmont, and amidst a bustling economy Charles later bought out his partners and so formed ‘Hallidays Engine Works’. Now described by the media as an ‘Industrial Pioneer’, Charles was also included in the ‘Man of Mark’ book of distinguished gentlemen.

At the turn of the century, Charles’ seven sons took over their ageing father’s business, and struggled under very difficult times as the Bubonic Plague swept through Sydney. This forced many shipping terminals to temporarily close and or relocate.

In the following years the company moved from foundry work to more engineering focused work. Four sons withdrew from the Company, leaving three (William, Charles Jnr and John), who renamed the Company ‘Halliday Brothers’. When William and Charles passed away, all was left to John and his six sons (who served their apprenticeship with the firm).

A major milestone was achieved when ‘Halliday Brothers’ repaired and refitted the ‘Berrima’, the first troop ship to leave Australia for New Guinea in World War 1. During both World Wars, Halliday Brothers carried out repairs on hundreds of Australian and international ships engaged in War. Relocating to Sussex Street in 1963 Halliday Brothers concentrated on marine and general engineering repairs.

The final workshop move to 26 Mansfield Street, Rozelle occurred in 1980. Robert Halliday (5th Generation), employed by Halliday Brothers since 1974, together with a partner (Allen Perry) offered to buy out the shareholders.

The takeover occurred in 1983 and all employees were retained. Like his forefathers, Robert was a skilled tradesmen having done his fitter / machinist apprenticeship with AUSN (Australian Union Steamship Navigation Company) from 1965-1969. Allen Perry left the company three years later and the company was renamed ‘Halliday Engineering Pty Ltd’, as it stands today.

Through many years of hard work and ‘blood, sweat and tears’, Robert and his wife Jenny have successfully managed to make the company the success it is today. And now with a sixth generation Halliday at the helm, Robert and Jenny’s son Luke is proudly continuing this tradition.

Today, the company boasts a diligent team of 34 employees, a strong and expanding client list, and a well-earned reputation as a versatile, can-do engineering service provider. Our clients often say that our versatility is invaluable, and few companies can offer the range of services and quality that we offer today.