Albert Swieca and wife, Edith, arrived in Australia from Brussels in 1947. The couple joined Albert’s brother Sam’s hat business, designing & making felt hats. Belmode Knitting Mills was created after Albert purchased a knitting machine for the hat business. In 1955, the couple purchased a building in Newtown where they continued to manufacture knitwear and hats, primarily children’s school pullovers and cardigans, until they sold the machines and bought the Kings Cross Newsagency in 1964.

Writers:

Jenni Hagedorn
Date written:
2012
Last updated:
2013