100 Years
Thomas Cook Snr. was born in 1908 in Walkaway, a small village near Geraldton in Western Australia, to Bessie and Charles James Cook.
He was just three years old when his mother passed away suddenly from a heart attack and was subsequently placed into the care of The Salvation Army, along with two of his siblings.
Thomas spent much of his childhood growing up in The Salvation Army Boys’ Home in Collie, before finding work on a local dairy farm as a teenager. He later described this as his ‘first happy years’.
After learning to box and winning a major tournament in Bridgetown, WA, Thomas decided to try his luck at boxing in Melbourne.
Thomas arrived in Melbourne and got a job at the Joyce & Howe Boot Factory where he met his future wife Doris, who started in the boot trade as a machinist at the age of 13. Still competing regularly in boxing tournaments, Thomas remained undefeated for his first seventeen fights before being knocked out.
After fighting and winning a few more bouts, Thomas Cook, reconsidering his career options, hung up his gloves in pursuit of a profession in boot making.
4 Generations
Fast forward 100 years from 1924, we carry on the legacy that Thomas Cook Senior had started.
Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co., now in its fourth generation of the Cook family, stands for a century of hard work, of miles travelled, of relationships built, friendships forged and family. It is a promise of quality, innovation, comfort, and heritage.
Thank You
Thank you from our family to all of our customers. We could not have reached this milestone without your loyal support.
Murray T. Cook
Managing Director
1924
Doris Foote starts in the boot trade as a machinist in 1924. After arriving on a ship from Perth, Thomas joins her at the Joyce & Howe Boot Factory not long after, where he is introduced to the world of bootmaking.
Cobb & Co. run their last horse drawn coach from Surat to Yuleba in Southern Queensland.
1940's
Marksman Shoes is born. With years of experience in the boot industry, Thomas Cook starts making and selling boots of his own alongside his close friend, Jim Murray, from a shed in Jim’s backyard.
1950's
From shed to shop to factory, Marksman Shoes hits a milestone and purchases a shop where Thomas and Jim grow their business. They purchase other shops and knock them down to build a factory.
1966
Fresh from pursuing his own career in advertising, Tom Cook joins his father at Marksman Shoes.
1972
A few years into learning the ropes, Thomas passes the baton to the next generation and Thomas and Doris retire to the Gold Coast. Tom Cook and Jim’s son, Bill Murray continue the legacy, changing the name to Murray & Cook Pty Ltd.
1977
Although Murray & Cook Pty Ltd reaches its final era, Tom Cook branches out to start Thomas Cook Footwear and secures premises at Harold Shoes in Abbotsford.
1978
Tom’s wife Kay, and their son Murray, join Tom in his venture. Together, they help to take Thomas Cook Footwear to another level.
Thomas Cook Footwear imports their first 100 pairs of western boots.
1981
Thomas Cook Footwear moves to Mollison Street, Abbotsford.
1983 - 1984
Murray introduces Moleskin jeans and oilskin coats under the Thomas Cook brand and Thomas Cook Footwear evolves into Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Company.
Dux-Bak is acquired in 1984.
1986
Haymarket Sydney Store opens.
1987
The family business continues to grow, opening the well known Hoddle Street store in Abbotsford.
1988
Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Company has now seen success in collaborations, having outfitted the cast and crew for The Man From Snowy River II movie. Thomas Cook’s ‘High Country’ Riding Coat® is named “The best coat on the market” by the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association.
1989
After thorough road testing, Tom introduces the highly successful Adventure Clothing range.
1990
After years of building and growing the business, it is now time for Tom and Kay to retire.
Murray Cook takes over, and in the coming years, his wife Sue joins the company as head of sales.
1993
Vale, Doris Cook (née Foote) age 82.
Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co. shifts to Whitehorse Road, Nunawading.
1994
Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co. becomes the Australian distributor of the the world’s largest Western brand, Wrangler®.
1998
Thomas Cook opens a high profile store in Pitt Street, Sydney.
2002
Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co. shifts to Station Street, Nunawading.
2005
The workwear label Hard Slog is established, offering a variety of work drill shirts suitable for the whole family.
2007
Vale, Thomas Cook Snr. age 99.
2010
The Pure Western brand is established.
2012
Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co. begins distributing Twisted X boots, the fastest growing Western boot brand in the USA.
2013
Lachlan Cook joins the company, initially working part-time while at high school, then joining full time in 2020.
2020
In early March, amid all the chaos of the COVID pandemic, Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co. acquires another popular Australian brand, Bullzye.
The first Bullzye Spring / Summer 2020 range is designed and released in October 2020.
2024
Today, Thomas Cook celebrates its 100 years of boot making history and 4 generations, supplying to over 1200 accounts in Australia and New Zealand.
Thomas Cook Boot and Clothing Co. continues to be Australian family owned and based.
The Horseman Icon
The Thomas Cook horseman was inspired by the iconic Australian film, The Man from Snowy River II. Thomas Cook Boot & Clothing Co. made all the moleskins, oilskins, hats and boots for the film.
“My Name is on the line...”
A signature is a promise, a mark of trust and approval. With our current logo, incorporating Thomas Cook Senior’s signature conveys how much we stand behind the quality and design of each garment it appears on.
