Tom Finnigan commenced the company with his  substantial (240 Gold Sovereigns) winnings from the Austral Wheel Race (track event) in 1898. The business commenced at 58 Glenferrie Road Malvern Victoria Australia and he called his bicycles 'Malvern Stars'. He specialised in touring and racing bikes. Despite strong opposition from larger English and American competitors Finnigan prospered and multiplied. He also managed to get the endorsement of Don Kirkham, then one of the best known cyclists in Australia. By 1920 Tom Finnigan established a solid business and reputation for integrity and service. Don Kirkham's racing success gave support to the racing credentials of Malvern Star racing machines. The six pointed star that Tom Finnigan created has remained the symbol of Malvern Star which are made to this very day. 

The marque sponsored  some of the greatest names in Australian cycling including the argueably greatest Australian rider of all time Hubert "Oppy" Opperman. His record is so extensive that it would take a book to recount it all. Very briefly he was Australian Road Champion in 1924,1926, 1927 and 1929. He became the World's greatest endurance cyclist when he defeated the cream of the worlds best endurance riders in the 1931 Non Stop Paris-Brest-Paris (726 miles 1166 kilometres) to break all previous existing records over the distance. In his time he set a series of momentous records for endurance cycling that seemed would last for eternity. He single-handedly created a profile for the sport in Australia that not did not enjoy before or since.Throughout his long life he was always associated with Malvern Star. The company named racing models after him in recognition. The entreprenurial skills of Bruce Small combined with the sporting achievements of Hubert Opperman and their mutal support for the rider and the marque built Malvern Star's success into being Australia's most celebrated marque.Indeed to this day Malvern Star is synonomous with bicycles and racing in Australia.