Macarthur Boots – The Story Behind the Name

When Dad moved the Mandic Shoes factory to Minto in the 1970s, I don't think any of us could have imagined that the name of the region would one day become one of our own footwear brands.

Macarthur became our premium boot range, and over the years we've produced many different styles under the name.

As Anita and I continue winding down Mandic Shoes, we've been looking through what remains in the warehouse. There are some Macarthur styles where we still have quite a bit of stock – particularly our ladies' Jillaroo, along with the men's Ranger and Gilmore.

So it seems like the right time to tell you a little more about Macarthur – and also start finding homes for those remaining boots.

Why Macarthur?

Our factory moved to Minto in the Macarthur region in the 1970s.

It was very different then. As I mentioned in my last blog, there were still paddocks and cows nearby and the industrial area was really only beginning to develop.

Macarthur became the home of our business. It was where Dad built the factory and where my sisters and I spent so much of our childhood learning about shoes simply by being around them every day.

But our connection to the Macarthur name went beyond simply being the region where our factory was based.

The area has a strong connection to Australia's early wool industry, with John Macarthur and his family playing an important role in the development of Australia's fine-wool industry in the early 1800s.

When we developed the Macarthur range, that history gave the name a sense of Australian heritage and tradition that felt particularly appropriate to us. Our own business had such a long connection with leather, sheepskin and footwear, and Macarthur had been the home of Mandic Shoes for many years.

So the name seemed to bring those two stories together – the place our business called home and a region with a long history connected to wool and Australian industry.

A Boot Range We Were Proud Of

Quality and construction have always been important to us at Mandic Shoes, and that carried through into the Macarthur range.

One of the things that became particularly important to the range was our use of Australian kangaroo leather. In fact, our family's connection with kangaroo leather goes right back to the early days of Mandic Shoes, when Mum and Dad made kangaroo fur-skin slippers in the 1960s.

Today, our Macarthur Kangaroo Collection combines that Australian leather with fittings and designs we've developed through many years in the footwear business.

Over the years we've had many different Macarthur styles. Some have disappeared as fashions changed, while others have remained.

And we still have some of them sitting on our shelves today.

The Jillaroo & Jackaroo

One of the Macarthur styles we still have quite a lot of stock in is the Jillaroo, our classic kangaroo leather boot, available in Black and Mahogany.

For the larger sizes, the same style continues as the Jackaroo.

It's a simple, practical ankle boot and one of those styles that doesn't really need to follow fashion.

The Ranger

For the men, one of the styles we still have a good selection of is the Ranger.

The Ranger has an EEE extra-wide fitting, which can be surprisingly difficult to find in men's boots.

Over the years we've had many customers come to us specifically because they needed that extra width. It's one of those practical details that might not sound very exciting until you're the person trying to find a comfortable boot that actually fits!

The Gilmore

We also have remaining stock of the Gilmore, another of our men's Macarthur kangaroo leather boots.

Like the Ranger, it's part of that practical side of Mandic Shoes that has always been important to us – good-quality footwear designed to be worn and enjoyed.

Now It's Time to Find Them Homes

There's something slightly strange about walking through the warehouse now and seeing these boots still sitting on the shelves.

For so many years, ordering stock, receiving deliveries, filling shelves and replacing what we'd sold was simply part of running Mandic Shoes.

Now we're doing the opposite.

We're gradually working our way through what remains and, once these boots are sold, we won't be replacing them.

We've already started clearing our Scrub Ugg range, and now it's Macarthur's turn.

Macarthur Clearance

As we continue winding down Mandic Shoes, we're reducing some of the Macarthur styles where we still have remaining stock.

Jillaroo – NOW $249

Ranger EEE Extra Wide – NOW $279
Gilmore – NOW $299

 

Jillaroo – NOW $249.  Our ladies' kangaroo leather boot, available in Black and Mahogany.

Jackaroo – NOW $249.  Great option fir men with an almond toe shape for a narrower fit. 

Ranger EEE Extra Wide – NOW $279
A great option for men needing a genuinely wider-fitting boot.

Gilmore – NOW $299
One of our classic men's Macarthur kangaroo leather boots.

Limited sizes and colours are available. Once they're gone, they won't be replaced.

SHOP THE MACARTHUR KANGAROO COLLECTION →

We hope these remaining boots find their way to people who will enjoy wearing them for many years to come.

And if you've owned a pair of Macarthur boots over the years, we'd love to hear from you too. It's been wonderful hearing the memories people have been sharing as we've looked back through more than 60 years of Mandic Shoes.

Because, like so many things at Mandic Shoes, there's a family story behind the name.

Julie & Anita
Mandic Shoes