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Testimonials

  1. John Roberts – 1864
  2. Professor Pierre Carme – 1876
  3. Eggleston & Derham Solicitors – 1887
  4. Charles Dawson & JP Mannock – 1898
  5. Walter Lindrum – 1929
  6. Dorothy and Norman Dighton – 1981
  7. P.A. Andrews – 1983
  8. Geoff Isaacs – 1985
  9. Anthony J Scicluna – 1996
  10. David H. Wymond – 1998
  11. Athenaeum Club, Hobart, Tasmania – 2003
  12. Synman Justin Bialek Architects – 2003
  13. Melbourne Club – 2006
  14. Hamilton Club Inc – 2007
  15. Andrew Fisher – 2010
  16. Jeff Connolly – 2011
  17. C & V Robb – 2014
  18. Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club – 2016
  19. Julie Beames – 2018
  20. Alex Praeger – 2018
  21. The World Professional Billiards Championship – 2019
  22. Rodney Sebire – 2020
  23. Chris Ryan – 2021
  24. Craig Frattura-Gaunson – 2022
  25. Dianne Zammitt – 2023

John Roberts – 1864

Albion Hotel, Melbourne, 1864.

Messrs. Alcock and Co.

Dear Sirs,

Before leaving the Australian colonies, I have the greatest pleasure in expressing the extreme satisfaction I have had in playing on your Tables, and which I pronounce equal to any I have ever played upon.

I remain, Dear Sirs,

Yours faithfully,

JOHN ROBERTS, Champion.

Professor Pierre Carme – 1876

Messrs. Alcock & Co.
Billiard Table Manufacturers, Russell Street, Melbourne.

Gentlemen —

It affords me great pleasure to add my testimony to that of thousands of other qualified judges in favour of your Billiard Tables and Cushions. I have had years of experience all over the world, and I do not hesitate to pronounce the tables of your manufacture equal if not superior, to any with which I have ever met, more particularly in that great essential — Cushions, which possess all the elements of perfection. I regard your tables as the best in this country, and I make bold to say that better could not be found either in Paris or London. Wishing you the success you so well merit for your efforts in popularising the game which I am proud to call my profession, in the great country of Australia, my present home.

I remain, yours faithfully,
Pierre Carme

Eggleston & Derham Solicitors – 1887

Eggleston & Derham,
Solicitors &c.
Imperial Chambers,
Bank Place
Melbourne
Telephone No. 553.

28 Sept 1887

Messrs Alcock & Co
Billiard Table Makers
Russell St.

Dear Sirs,

In reply to your letter of yesterday’s date I have to say that I am very much pleased with my billiard table and am glad I did not import one from England – during my visit there I played on those of Thurston, Burroughs & Watts & all the good makers only to come to the conclusion that your firm turned out the best article – there is nothing to beat your tables anywhere where I have been & that’s nearly everywhere where the game is played.

Yours truly
John W Eggleston

Charles Dawson & JP Mannock – 1898

Scott’s Hotel Melbourne
Aug 19th 1898
Messrs Alcock & Co

Gentlemen

We have very great pleasure in saying that the Billiard Tables we have played on of your Manufacture, during the whole of our tour through Australasia and New Zealand have given us the utmost satisfaction, in fact we have never had the pleasure of playing on any make so uniformally excellent.

We beg to remain
Gentlemen
Faithfully Yours
C Dawson
JP Mannock

English professionals Charles Dawson & JP Mannock toured under Alcocks aegis, so you would expect some sort of product endorsement. Perhaps a greater endorsement from this tour was that Mannock bought the Alcock table on which he and Dawson played at the Athenaeum Hall, Melbourne, and had it shipped back to England where it was installed in his rooms at the Hotel Victoria, Charing Cross. The Sporting Life described it as “the only Australian table at present in this country”.

Walter Lindrum – 1929

The Argus (Melbourne) Tuesday 10th September 1929

“A luncheon was given to Walter Lindrum at the Australia Hotel by Messrs. Alcock and Co. yesterday to give his friends an opportunity of wishing him bon voyage on the eve of his departure for England”.

“Lindrum, who was enthusiastically received, said that it was chiefly to the kindness of Messrs. Alcock that he owed his position as a billiard player. Throughout his career the firm had done everything in its power to help him”.

The Age (Melbourne) Tuesday 10th September 1929

“Lindrum promised the gathering that he would do all in his power to win the highest billiard honours for Australia while he was away, and that if he could get playing conditions in England as perfect as that provided by Alcock & Co in Australia, he was confident of success”.

Dorothy and Norman Dighton – 1981

Dear Sirs

Thank you very much for your services. May I add that it was a pleasure to have your employees in my house and also we are very pleased with the table now it has been re-erected by you.

Yours faithfully,

Dorothy and Norman Dighton

P.A. Andrews – 1983

Dear Sir,

I would like to pass on to you my congratulations in one of your staff, Tim, who is such an excellent ambassador for you. His cordial customer relations, his attention to detail and his persistence in ensuring that a quality job is done and therefore your corporate image is enhanced, are all characteristics worth their weight in gold.

Yours faithfully

P.A. Andrews

Geoff Isaacs – 1985

Dear Stefan,

Please find enclosed cheque for payment on our billiard table.

We are delighted with the result, and are impressed with every aspect of your business.

Yours faithfully,

Geoff Isaacs

Anthony J Scicluna – 1996

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my gratitude on your quick response and hassle free replacement of the cloth on my billiard table back in June after finding a minor fault in the weaving. It was the service I expected and received and am completely satisfied. Stefan was extremely helpful with his advice prior to buying the table and in the follow-up, along with Terry who actually replaced the cloth. The Premier table has already given us hours of enjoyment and after having played on friends’ tables, the quality on the construction of the Alcocks table along with the playing surface and cushion response cannot be compared.

I am very proud in owning an Alcocks table and would have no hesitation in recommending any one of my family and friends in buying one. It truly has been money well spent.

Thanking you once again.

Yours faithfully,

Anthony J Scicluna

David H. Wymond – 1998

Dear George,

I am writing to thank you and your staff for the magnificent restoration of my billiard table. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that the dirty black legs and rails that I first saw, could be transformed to the magnificent polished blackwood table of today.

I thank you also for your advice and your integrity in giving that advice on the purchase of the table and its restoration. I can assure you that table No. 789 has found a loving home for a very long time.

I can also assure you that Alcock, Thomson & Taylor have a customer for life.

Yours sincerely,

David H. Wymond

Athenaeum Club, Hobart, Tasmania – 2003

ATHENAEUM CLUB

Tasmania 7000

Dear Mr. Taylor,

On behalf of my Committee I would like to express their appreciation for the professional manner in which your representative Mr. Les Closter carried out the repairs to our three Snooker Tables and additional work required. We were impressed by his quality workmanship. Please place our Club on any listing you may have for future contact in the event of future visits to Hobart by Mr. Closter.

Yours sincerely

Robert B. Bye

Secretary / Manager

Synman Justin Bialek Architects – 2003

Synman Justin Bialek Architects

South Melbourne 3205

I would like to thank you for the excellent service and attention to detail that has resulted in a fabulous table and a perfect surprise for my brother. I especially congratulate you for attention to detail and accuracy with my special requests. It seems to be increasingly hard to find craftspeople and tradespeople whose work is faultless and accurate. Thank you and best wishes for a successful 2003.

Yours sincerely,

Elida De Felice

Melbourne Club – 2006

Melbourne Club

Dear George,

A short note to thank you, Stefan and your very professional team for re-clothing and re-cushioning our billiards tables. The members are delighted with the result and are already enjoying playing on our refurbished tables. Thank you also for accommodating us during the January lull.

With gratitude and best wishes.

Tom Cameron

Billiards Sub Committee Chairman

Hamilton Club Inc – 2007

Hamilton Club Inc

Hamilton 3300

Dear George,

Re. Sale of Squatters’ Favourite Billiard Table No 1414

The Committee of the Hamilton Club is delighted with the result of this transaction and wish to thank you for your advice, direction, courtesy, professionalism and success. The proceeds from this sale will assist us in financing club house development, some of which will be in evidence on your next and most welcome visit.

Yours Sincerely

Barry Hadley

Manager

Andrew Fisher – 2010

Good morning George, Stefan and Tim and the snooker players in the TBSA.

As you are aware last week I had Les from Alcock in Penguin installing my snooker table that I purchased from the Lindisfarne RSL Club 2 years ago. The table required full restoration due to the fact that it had lived in a club all of its life, in particular the rails had badly damaged timber all with broken mouldings. As funds are always tight I prepared the lower half of the table including the legs and side panels with the team at Alcocks restoring the rails. The rails arrived back from Alcocks last week with Les and I have to say that the level of craftsmanship and repair work including the polishing is fantastic – they are brilliant!!!!! to say the least. Les then went to work on the assembly of the table, working on the table (even after hours and half in the dark) he completed the job fitting new rubbers, cloth and pocket nets. Les showed me his skill and pride of workmanship that I have now seen many times in the past – well done and thanks Les for the very best job.

Anyway, the table is up and running now and thanks to Alcocks, it is in my opinion a real showpiece. I have sent this email to you all to invite you for a look at the table or a frame or two if you are in Penguin at any time.

Jeff Connolly – 2011

Hello Stefan,

I wanted to come back to you and express my thanks to all at Alcock Thomson & Taylor (sales, manufacturing, delivery and installation) for supplying us with our new Governor pool table on the 24th December. There are not so many organisations today who deliver what they promise when they promise. The process went without a hitch and was topped off by professional installation by staff passionate about their industry and proud of their first rate product!

Kind regards

Jeff Connolly

C & V Robb – 2014

Stefan,

Here are a few photos of our “Games Room” with the lights installed. Thanks for the great service and sensational product. It is a most delightful addition to our recreation time.

Cheers,

Colin

Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club – 2016

As usual Les completed the billiards table repairs at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club to our complete satisfaction, he is a master of his trade and his work is of the highest possible standard. In addition he performed some minor repairs and was able to provide me with some valuable advice.

Kooyong values very highly the services Alcocks has provided to the Club for 28 years now – long may it continue. In fact Alcocks has been servicing Kooyong’s tables (originally from the South Yarra Club and the Melbourne Green Room Club) since 1892 – that’s 124 years and counting!

David Pitt
on behalf of Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club

Julie Beames – 2018

Thank you for the advice, information and general ease in dealing with your company. I love the old fashioned service and your willingness to help and not just focus on upfront payment. Very impressed!

Thank you again and I thoroughly recommend!!

Alex Praeger – 2018

Alcocks have been producing billiard tables since 1853 & produce the best tables in Australia. The detailed industry knowledge they have is second to none. Alcocks produce the highest quality at all times and really are perfectionists about every little detail being done the correct traditional way. The level of consistency and uniformity both within the various components of a single table and also from one table to the next is really impressive, especially since some of the most difficult tasks are done by hand. You can go to any Alcock table in any location & all of the pockets will perfectly match the Australian templates, including shape, undercut & fallaway. If you want the best of the best, get an Alcock table.

Alex Praeger
Rack-em-up Pool Hall & Bar
Lilydale
Review via Facebook

The World Professional Billiards Championship – 2019

George

Fantastic feedback on the RACV tables from the the players.

Mike Russell is saying they are the best set of tables we have ever played on.

From John Roberts to Mike Russell today – the same praise for Alcock’s workmanship.

Congratulations to you and your team.

Please pass on our thanks to everyone involved.

Don Richter 
World Professional Billiards Championship Committee

Rodney Sebire – 2020

Hi Michael

Just a quick note – Les just completed the installation. I have to recognise his great service and craftsmanship – which was first class and highly meticulous. Furthermore, he installed the scoreboard and pool cue rack, which was over and above what was expected. Overall, the service from Alcocks has been exceptional.

I can see why the business has been trading for 150+ years.

Congratulations on a great service

Rodney Sebire
Wangaratta

Chris Ryan – 2021

Brilliant from beginning to end – been a great experience getting our own custom built table – it’s a beautiful, perfect piece of work, expertly installed on our first floor by Scott and Dean who happily helped in all the positional decision making – old style service, craftsmanship and professionalism – nothing too much trouble. The table will no question become a generational investment for our family and we look forward to an equally long standing relationship with George, Michael and the team – thank-you!

Regards Chris Ryan

Craig Frattura-Gaunson – 2022

The staff have an old world charm and the shop has a wonderful ambience. I bought a beautiful cue there today and I would recommend them to anyone.

Regards Craig Frattura-Gaunson
Facebook Review

Dianne Zammitt – 2023

Hi Michael Thank you so much for helping us choose the perfect table.  Here are a few photos which I’m more than happy for you to share with other potential customers.  It looks amazing and the workmanship is amazing. 

Regards Dianne Zammitt