Beveridge Coopers is a small one-person operation based in rural Victoria, Australia. George Smithwick is a sixth generation cooper and one of a very few remaining "coopers", that is, craftsmen who shape and bind wood into usable containers. Most of the existing coopers make wooden barrels for distilleries and wineries, but George specializes in a branch of cooperage that produces wooden buckets, barrels, washtubs, ice-cream & butter churns, and other vintage household items.

Every item made by Beveridge Coopers is personally handcrafted by George himself. George puts his heart into his work and it shows.
As he says of his work, "Going to work in the shed is like doing your favourite hobby every day." Every item he makes is unique and fully functional. He will also customize a container or reproduce one to a customer's specifications.
George's craftsmanship has earned a national reputation for its quality, personality, and historical integrity. George has done coopering demonstrations at regional centres throughout Victoria and other Australian states at agricultural and life style shows. He is available to set-up demonstrations Australia wide.
George made his first bucket in 1961 as a teenager (and it held water). He was formerly a cabinetmaker by trade, but the coopering business has grown over the years to the point that he has been able to put cabinetmaking aside and concentrate on being a sixth generation cooper full-time.