Australia’s oldest Hoover, nearly 60 years old and still going

By Martin Vedris

CHELTENHAM, VIC: As part of its 100th anniversary celebrations last year, Hoover Floorcare launched a nationwide competition to find the oldest Hoover in Australia. The winner dates back to the 1950’s.

It’s official, the search for Australia’s oldest Hoover vacuum cleaner concluded in Cheltenham, at Janice Johnson’s house.

Now a family heirloom, Mrs Johnson’s Hoover Junior Cleaner Model 119 dates back to the1950’s and is still working. The vacuum cleaner has been in the family for nearly 60 years and previously belonged to Mrs Johnson’s mother-in-law. Mrs Johnson’s husband said he clearly remembers his mother using the Hoover every Friday afternoon in preparation for weekend visitors.

While the search was running and the competition was underway late last year, hundreds of people rummaged through their homes for their antique Hoovers.

Damian Court, Director of Hoover Floorcare Asia Pacific said he was thrilled with the response from Australians who not only searched for old Hoovers, but also wanted to share their Hoover stories.

“Hoover has been one of the world’s favourite brands for 100 years and we’re looking forward to the next 100,” Court said.

“It’s exciting that Hoover has such a special place in the hearts of so many Australians.”

Mrs Johnson won a house cleaner for a year. The 10 runners-up in the competition won a brand new Italian designed Hoover Freemotion vacuum cleaner.