Founded in Melbourne in 1956, Jaka’s Pty Ltd emerged during a period when Australian manufacturing was thriving. While many toys were already being imported, Jaka’s chose a different path — designing and producing soft toys locally, with a focus on quality, safety, and durability.
From the outset, their toys were intended to be both beautiful and practical. Careful stitching, sturdy internal construction, and washable fabrics made them ideal for everyday play, not just display.
Jaka’s became especially well known for soft toys that reflected Australian life and childhood favourites. Their range included:
• Classic teddy bears in a variety of sizes
• Australian animals such as koalas and kangaroos
• Soft dolls designed for younger children
• Push-along toys, including horses and dogs mounted on steel frames
Catalogue pages from the 1960s and 1970s show a charming mix of practicality and whimsy—soft toys designed to support early walking, encourage imaginative play, and withstand years of use.
Jaka’s operations were based in Blackburn, later moving to Wantirna South, Victoria. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the company flourished, supplying toy shops across Australia.
Their printed catalogues—now highly collectible—document a strong era of post-war Australian manufacturing, where local design, skilled labour, and family-run businesses shaped the toy industry.
In 1996, Jaka’s celebrated 40 years of production with a commemorative catalogue—an achievement reached by very few Australian toy manufacturers. By this stage, however, the industry was changing rapidly.
The growing availability of cheaper overseas imports placed increasing pressure on local makers. Like many Australian manufacturers of the time, Jaka’s eventually ceased production, marking the end of an era.
Today, surviving Jaka’s toys are sought after by collectors for their:
• Australian provenance
• Quality craftsmanship
• Nostalgic design
• Connection to mid-century childhoods
Each piece tells a story—not just of play, but of Australian ingenuity, community, and care. These toys stand as reminders of a time when children’s playthings were made close to home, with pride and purpose.
With love
Shyloh
Tales from the youngest daughter of a doll collector — raised on Milo, Vegemite, and more antiques than a country op shop
