OUR HISTORY

Colac Aerated Water commenced operations in the late 1800's in Colac, Western Victoria and was purchased by the Hay family in 1918. The Hay family had emigrated from Scotland after involvement in the spirit industry and in the late 1860's Alexander Hay joined Eberhard soft drink manufacturing business. His son George Hay moved to Geelong and had a short stint with Bollington's soft drink company before he moved to Colac.

Colac Aerated Water produced premium cordials, syrups and soft drinks, using recipes dating back to 1867 and quickly became one of Colac's best known family companies.

In addition to the much loved cordials and soft drinks, Colac Aerated Water developed a wide range of products, including ice blocks mixture, jelly crystals, ginger beer and tonic water.

Showcasing their quality products using Australian only ingredients, the company won prizes and awards at numerous competitions and events, including the Royal Melbourne Show and the Royal Brisbane Show. They also won a number of prizes at the Colac and regional shows.

During a conversation with a staff member, George Hay coined the phrase 'Say Hay's Please'. This became the companies slogan and Say Hay's Please appeared on all labels and advertising.

Generations of the Hay family operated the business until 1986 when a large competitor purchased the business and promptly closed it.

Today, great great grandson Jeff Hay is overseeing the remanufacturing of Colac Aerated Water products based on the original recipe book handed down by his father Keith. Quality, not quantity using the best ingredients, still Colac based.