About Us

Formerly owned by John Henneman who was introduced to the trade by his grandfather in Heemskerk, Holland and his parents were involved in a family butcher shop in Dandenong and later in Mulgrave.  It was in his parents family butcher shops that John started his apprenticeship in 1972 and where he learnt the value of customer service and client interaction.

After leaving his parents shop, John worked for Dandy Hams and Bacon for a few years as well as various suburban butcher shops before buying his first butcher shop in Wantirna South.

After 10 years John, wife Annette and 3 young children sold up at Wantirna South and went into partnership with Dave and Carol Darby (Dave was an employee at the Wantirna South shop) in opening Corowa Meats in Sanger Street, Corowa.

After 10 years Dave and Carol moved on to open their own butcher shop in Mansfield and in 1998 John employed a young enthusiastic lad, Graeme Leslie. Graeme worked for John for 13 years and it is here where John was able to instil the same family butcher shop customer service values in Graeme that are a trademark of this local business. Graeme realised a long held dream in 2014 by becoming part owner (with John) of the Corowa Meats business, and then purchased the shop from John in 2020, whereby John retired.

Great local butchers feel like part of your family and Graeme and the team definitely fit this mould. There is never a dull moment at Corowa Meats, from playing hilarious tricks on work experience kids to giving advice on any subject suggested, we are not only experts in all things meat but in life as well (at least we think we are!). Although we can’t guarantee we are always right, what we can guarantee at Corowa Meats is that you will always be greeted with a smile and treated like one of the family.