For generations of Australians, the name Victa has been as familiar as backyard barbecues and Sunday lawn rituals. Now, in a move that feels less like corporate restructuring and more like a beloved mate returning home, Victa is once again under Australian ownership.
Founded in 1952 by engineer Mervyn Victor Richardson, Victa revolutionised lawn care by inventing a lightweight rotary mower built for our tough Aussie grass and expansive yards. What started in Richardson’s backyard shed in Concord, Sydney, quickly became a household favourite, and before long Victa was sold across the country and around the globe.
Over the decades, Victa became more than just a lawn mower brand – it was a cultural touchstone. Its machines helped shape the backyard landscape, backed by iconic marketing and community spirit. The Victa mower even featured in the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, a moment that cemented its status as a true blue Aussie icon.
For many in their 60s and older, Victa evokes memories of Saturday mornings and the familiar growl of a mower slicing through long grass. It was a symbol of pride, independence and that uniquely Australian relationship with the great outdoors. Some even remember the company’s quirky ventures in light aircraft and payphone systems in the 1960s, illustrating its once-fearless spirit of innovation.
But for the last 17 years, Victa has been owned by Briggs & Stratton, a small-engine giant based in Milwaukee, USA – a name more familiar to fans of American suburbs than Aussie bush blocks. While Briggs & Stratton kept the brand alive and its products available locally, many Australians privately rued the loss of local ownership.
Now, that wind has changed.
Queensland-based Roy Gripske & Sons (RGS) have taken the helm of Victa, bringing it home to the soil where its roots first took hold. The RGS team, with four decades in lawn and garden products, plans to strengthen product supply, expand innovation and honour the heritage that made Victa a household name.
“Victa is a name that generations of Australians have trusted,” said Paul Sheehan, CEO and Director of RGS. “We’re honoured to become the new custodian of such an iconic brand … ensuring Victa continues to deliver the quality and performance Australians expect.”
From Queensland’s Sunshine State to every suburban patch of green, the message from Victa’s returning custodians is clear: the brand will remain true to its legacy while adapting to modern needs. That means more investment in availability, more focus on quality and innovation, and – crucially – a commitment to supporting Aussie gardeners and backyard enthusiasts in a way that feels Australian again.
At its Kemps Creek NSW headquarters, many Victa products have continued to be assembled and sold locally, even during American ownership. But this return to local stewardship resonates beyond assembly lines – it taps into something deeper: national pride and nostalgia.
For older Australians especially, the brand is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It evokes memories of summer afternoons, lawn cricket, and the simple satisfaction of a well-mown lawn. And now — with Victa back in Australian hands — those memories can grow into confidence about the future.
So here’s to Victa: as Aussie as a weekend cricket bat, a cold drink and a lawn that always looks better with a freshly-cut edge. Welcome home.
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