The Calleja Group

In post-war 1950, Joe Calleja and his wife left their home in Malta in search of new opportunities in Australia. Based in Melbourne, the former policeman bought one truck and worked long days as a subcontractor carting scrap metal for industrial clients in Victoria.

He continued to buy more trucks. As his sons got older, they also drove the trucks. With more than 100 trucks, the Calleja Group has grown considerably.

Maddingley Brown Coal

The open cut mine began supplying steaming coal to paper mills, several hospitals and other industrial customers in 1946. Coal sales ceased due the availability of cheap, natural gas and the closure of the CSR hardboard mill in 1998 (which the Calleja Group bought in 1999). The company then re-directed mining activities towards alternate coal uses, such as supplying agricultural customers with organic fertilisers, soil conditioners and top soils.

JBD Industrial Park

The small commercial coal drying plant sits on the 1,100-acres of land on the former CSR hardboard mill site which the Calleja Group today call the JBD Industrial Park, using the initials of various Calleja family members. This industrial land is deemed ideal for new investment and business expansion.

Tenants include a timber converting business, an oil manufacturer, a sand producer and a fertiliser and soil manufacturer.