As a youth while working on his father's farm, Hugh Victor McKay became tired of the labour involved in winnowing wheat by hand. In 1884 he built the first machine in the world which did the winnowing in conjunction with the reaping. On Monday 21st August 1944, which coincided with the birthday of the late H. V. McKay, more than 2000 employees and friends of H. V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd were entertained at the Melbourne Town Hall, in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Sunshine Harvester Works.The event was planned to "turn it on for the boys' in a manner befitting the occasion." The compere was Eric Pearce (of later TV newsreader fame) and the entertainment was provided by leading performers of song (W.M.Laird and Mary Miller), of music (John Robertson, W.M.King, and the Sunshine Brass Band), and of humour (Charles Sherman). The accompanists for some of the performances were Betty Miller and Eric Fox. Two films depicting the activities of the Sunshine Works were shown, and the managing director Mr C. N. McKay, was presented with a book by Mr Fred Bult who had 50 years service with the company. The book contained more than 1000 signatures from invited employees who had completed more than 10 years of service, Supper was provided in the Lower Hall, and the MC for dancing to the Synco-Harvesters Dance Band in the Main Hall was James Patrick. The committee which organised the function were Messrs. L.W. King (Chairman), G. Baker, J. Downing, R. Stewart, F. J. Lee, V. Armstrong, F. Fields, J. Aird, G. Wilson, J. G. McKay, T. N. McArthur, and R. Webb, with secretaries Messrs. G. Shaw and D. J. McKay. The above information was compiled from the Souvenir Programme, and from The Argus of Tuesday 22 August 1944 which can be viewed at http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11357700, and from the Sunshine Advocate of Friday 30 June 1944.The Souvenir Programme provides a historical record of how the Diamond Jubilee was celebrated, as well as the type of entertainment and the names of the entertainers and other people involved. It also lists the types of dances such as the 'Fox Trot' and the 'Pride of Erin' that were normal entertainment in 1944. The Souvenir Programme is also significant in what it does not tell us. There is absolutely no indication of what would be considered to be a supper for an event like this in 1944, especially in the Melbourne Town Hall. From a historical point of view it would be interesting to know.Beige coloured cardboard document which is folded in two, and has brown coloured printing on three of the four sides. The document provides a detailed list of the entertainment and the presentations held in the Melbourne Town Hall, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Sunshine Harvester Works.1884 1944 / SOUVENIR PROGRAMME / DIAMOND JUBILEE of the SUNSHINE HARVESTER / MELBOURNE TOWN HALL / Monday 21st Aug.sunshine harvester, diamond jubilee, h. v. mckay, massey harris pty ltd, 21 august 1944, 1884, 1944, melbourne town hall, sunshine harvester works, sunshine harvester, diamond jubilee, h. v. mckay, massey harris pty ltd, 21 august 1944, 1884, 1944, melbourne town hall, sunshine harvester works

Repairs to the Port Melbourne Town Hall clock tower were undertaken c.1950. One member of Council staff stands on top of the pediment while the other 5 are on the temporary scaffolding. The clock itself appears to have been temporarily covered over presumably to prevent damage. L - R Frank WHITE, Bill THACKRAY, J SHARPE , ? , Ross McKENZIE & Bill HELLINGS above the pediment. B & W photograph of workmen during repairs to the Port Melbourne Town Hall clock tower.Repairs to Clock Tower Town Hall. W THACKAY, F WHITE, B HELLINGS on toplocal government - city of port melbourne, port melbourne town hall, frank white, bill thackray, j sharpe, ross mckenzie, bill hellings

The frieze was made around 1938 and salvaged from demolition in 1970s. It had been held by Bill Thackray, former City Engineer Port Melbourne, and donated to PMHPS in 2010. There were several of these friezes around the walls of the auditorium of the Port Melbourne Town Hall. It seems that some were a mirror image of this frieze.Art Deco style plaster frieze (1938) from Port Melbourne Town Hall auditorium. Salvaged from demolition in the 1970s and set in wooden frame. Image is of ship.port melbourne town hall, built environment - civic, transport - shipping

A photograph of a sketch of the proposed Port Melbourne Town Hall, which was built as shown except for the top of the tower. port melbourne town hall, built environment - civic

Digital copy of a B&W photograph of the Spring Street South façade of Port Melbourne Town Hall.port melbourne town hall, spring street, local government - city of port melbourne, built environment - civic

Photograph of the Port Melbourne Town Hall clocktower taken from below, looking between trees. Street light at bottom centreport melbourne town hall, built environment - civic

This image was used on the cover of Greater Port Melbourne (Cat No 945) produced in 1939 to mark the centenary of Port Melbourne.Digital copy of a B&W photograph of the Port Melbourne Town Hall with a car parked in Bay Street with a man standing next to it.port melbourne town hall, bay street, local government - city of port melbourne, built environment - civic

Digital copy of a colour photograph showing a crane hoisting an ornate sleeve for the base of the new flagpole for the Port Melbourne Town Hall.port melbourne town hall, local government - city of port melbourne, cranes, built environment - civic

Digital copy of a colour photograph showing an Australian flag flying from the newly installed flagpole on the Port Melbourne Town Hall.port melbourne town hall, local government - city of port melbourne, built environment - civic

Digital copy of a colour photograph showing an Australian flag flying from the newly installed flagpole on the Port Melbourne Town Hall.port melbourne town hall, local government - city of port melbourne, built environment - civic

Digital copy of a colour photograph showing an Australian flag flying from the newly installed flagpole on the Port Melbourne Town Hall.port melbourne town hall, local government - city of port melbourne, built environment - civic

Colour photo of Port Melbourne Town Hall, side view on Spring St South, just prior to the construction of the new library. November 2002port melbourne town hall, built environment - civic