Harleys celebrates three generations and 30 years of ABCs

A back-to-school institution is celebrating 30 years of business and three generations of family filling students’ backpacks and pencil cases.

Celebrating 30 years since welcoming its first customers in September 1993, Harleys Educational has become a Cairns back-to-school institution and north Queensland’s largest scholastic supplies business.

A family owned and operated business, Harleys was purchased on September 13, 1993 by Jenny and Kevin Austin who had moved from Karumba to Cairns to embark on a new challenge.

Ms Austin said the couple were looking for a business that could develop and make a

difference.

“As parents, we prioritised our children’s wellbeing, particularly education. We were

therefore attracted to the idea of a school supplies business and products that would set

children up for success, making schoolwork and learning easier,” she said.

A family business through and through and key to success for Harleys Educational Supplies, celebrating 30 years today for three generations. From left: Maya Vallely, Cr Kristy Vallely, and Jenny Austin.

In the past three decades, the Austin family have expanded the business, renovating

and developing their English St premises from a small office space to a spacious

warehouse with quality fittings and stock in response to a growing demand for supplies by

schools, tutors, students, childcare centres, and parents.

Ms Austin said Harleys is a family business that, over the years, was the workplace of her

children and now employs some of her grandchildren and longstanding staff.

In 30 years, Jenny said the workforce swelled to 13 full-time staff and then, during

back-to-school periods, peaked at 30 to service some 10,000 customers.

For Harleys clients, one of the well-known faces in the store and behind the counter is Jenny’s

daughter, Cr Kristy Vallely, who has been an integral part of the family business from the

outset and in recent years, her daughter, 17-year-old daughter Maya Vallely has been

welcomed into the fold.

Ms Austin said the best thing about working in a family business is the support, and of course, along with the blood, sweat and tears, there’s been plenty of laughter.

Originally published as Harleys celebrates three generations and 30 years of ABCs