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Leo Tobin leading the procession from St Patrick’s Cathedral for Sir Francis Raymond Connelly, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, in 1949

Tobin Brothers Funerals’ first main branch location on Glenferrie Road (Cnr Stanhope Street) Malvern. Opened in the early 1940s where it remained until the early 1960s.

Today, Tobin Brothers Malvern is found at 1382 High Street, Malvern.

By late 1937, AV Tobin had outgrown its first North Melbourne premises on the corner of Flemington and Racecourse Roads The brothers purchased land right across the road at 425 Flemington Road North Melbourne and purpose built a new premises in 1938. AV Tobin was now established and considered a significant player in the funeral industry.

(In 1956, as growth continued, the premises was extended before another relocation was in order in the late 1960s)

The first funeral conducted by A.V Tobin (now Tobin Brothers Funerals) was for a four year old girl, Ena Margaret Price on Thursday 22nd February 1934. Ena was the daughter of Thomasena and Robert Price, and the granddaughter of Jim Dodds – a friend and Melbourne Fire Brigade colleague of Leo Tobin.

In its first year, the company conducted 53 funerals and the brothers were greatly encouraged by this start and the modest profits made. In 1935, its second calendar year, AV Tobin conducted 144 funerals and the trend continued over succeeding years.

In February 1934, the four brothers – Phonse, Leo, Thomas, and Kevin – had established A. V. Tobin funeral directors. They scraped together fifty pounds each to rent premises, purchase stock and equipment, and buy a second-hand hearse. The firm commenced trading in North Melbourne and was incorporated two years later.

For a time Phonse was the only brother fully engaged in the venture. Leo joined the company in 1937, Thomas and Kevin followed in 1939. All played key roles in the business and contributed to its growth and development.

A.V Tobin operated with a Head Office Cnr Flemington and Racecourse Roads (pictured), North Melbourne and branch locations at Essendon, Ascot Vale and Kensington. Principal Mr. Phonse Tobin.

During the early 1930s, while the world was gripped by the effects of “The Great Depression”, four brothers dreamed of a better future. Leo, Phonse, Thomas and Kevin Tobin pooled their limited available funds and at the time could not have envisioned that they were about to commence what has become Australia’s largest independent and