From humble beginnings, Geraldton-based Murchison River Swags celebrates four decades of business

Vegemite, kangaroos, emus, the Sydney Harbour Bridge: There are some things that are undeniably Australian and fitting comfortably in that category is the humble swag.

There are many swags that you can take when venturing out bush or going on a camping trip, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a swag maker with a richer background than Murchison River Swags in the Mid West.

Nestled amid the picturesque landscape north of Geraldton, Murchison River Swags is owned and operated by John and Gabrielle Andrews.

The local business recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of providing many families and adventurers with comfortable and reliable swags.

Gabrielle, also known as Gabe, reflects on the humble origins of Murchison River Swags.

“We were living in Darwin in the early 80s and decided it was time to settle down,” she said.

“John’s family lived in Perth, and we purchased our house sight unseen, with the only requirement being a big shed.”

That old tin tomato packing shed became the cornerstone of what would soon become Andrews Upholstery Shed — the birthplace of their swag-making journey.

John, armed with expertise honed through an upholstery apprenticeship, and Gabe, juggling her roles as an upholsterer and a mother to three young children, found solace in their shared love of the outdoors.

“We started making swags initially for our own use,” Gabe said. “There was something incredibly fulfilling about crafting something that would provide comfort and shelter during our camping adventures.”

As word of their swags spread, demand began to grow. “People wanted us to make them a good quality traditional swag,” Gabe explains. “No fancy hoops or poles or sewn-in mozzie nets — just the basics done right.”

Thus, the Murchison River Swag was born, named after the river where John had spent many months prospecting for gold.

Crafted from Australian-made military-grade waterproof canvas and built to withstand the harsh Aussie conditions, Murchison River Swags quickly gained a reputation across the globe for quality and durability. “We didn’t want any swags coming back for repairs,” Gabe said. “Our goal was to craft swags that could stand the test of time.”

Over the years, Murchison River Swags have journeyed far and wide, accompanying adventurers to every corner of Australia and beyond. “Our swags have been sent all over the world,” Gabe says proudly. “From the remote outback to distant lands like Mongolia and Russia, they’ve become a symbol of the Australian spirit of adventure.”

The swags have even been used on the silver screen, with Australian film maker Greg McLean — Gabe’s brother and director of Wolf Creek, The Gloaming and Jungle — using them in some of his productions.

“It’s been great being able to use some of Gabrielle and John’s creations as many of the shows I’ve done are uniquely Australian in terms of setting or story,” Greg said.. “The pieces are extremely iconic and suit the characters and situations explored through those stories really well, and the goal with any of these is to create an authenticity to the world of the characters.”

For customers like Belinda Barndon, Murchison River Swags hold a special place in her heart. “My father would have gotten his first swag when you first started making them,” she said. “Now, four generations from the same family have enjoyed the comfort and reliability of Murchison River Swags.”

As the Andrews look towards the future, with each swag they produce they invite adventurers to embrace the freedom of the open road and the comfort of a good night’s sleep under the stars.