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

This book/magazine is a record of the company's tasks in WW11. It acknowledges the "debt owed to the armed forces involvement and role in defeating the enemy". The Australian operations of this company were originally founded by Hugh V. McKay in the 1890s. In 1906, H.V. McKay moved his manufacturing operations from Ballarat to Braybrook Junction (later Sunshine) on the western outskirts of Melbourne. In 1921 the company became H.V. McKay Pty Ltd. In 1930 it merged with the Australian operations of the Canadian agricultural implement and tractor manufacturer Massey Harris, to become H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd. Throughout World War II H.V. McKay Massey Harris exported over 20,000 Sunshine drills, disc harrows and binders to England to facilitate the increase in food production. (ref Museum Victoria, Wickipedia)Inside this magazine is a photograph of a sprocket similar to that made by Orbost Motor Works during WW11. (Registration No 2001)A large stapled cardboard covered magazine with a tan coloured cover. On the front cover in dark brown print at the bottom is a rising sun with "H. V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd Australia" underneath it. At the top in large font is 1939 1945. It contains coloured photographs and text. massey-harris

Quarto sized covering letter from H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd, Sunshine Harvester Works to Messr P. Bamford Pty Ltd, Timber Merchants, Ringwood. Dated 9th November 1931 enclosing Price List of Sunshine Farm Implements. Outer envelope included with pre-printed Sunshine Harvester Works engraving.

The item is an end panel from the box section of a "SUN' Seed & Fertilizer Drill. It was manufactured by H.V. McKay Pty. Ltd. at their agricultural machinery manufacturing plant in Sunshine Victoria. The date of manufacture is estimated to be somewhere between 1921 and 1930 because of the imprint H.V. McKay Pty. Ltd. According to the Museum Metadata Exchange (http://museumex.org/oai/mv/2749) the Sunshine Harvester Works was reformed as H.V. McKay Pty. Ltd. in 1921 and in 1930 it became H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty. Ltd after a merger with the Canadian farm machinery manufacturer Massey Harris. The two events in 1921 and in 1930 are also confirmed by Churchward, M. (2006) at (http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/2010).This early 20th century item is a relic of the agricultural machinery manufacturing past of Sunshine Victoria. The company started by H. V. McKay no longer exists and neither do the subsequent manufacturing companies H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty. Ltd., and the later Massey Ferguson (Aust.) Limited. Manufacturing has disappeared from this site being replaced by a shopping centre and other retail outlets, high rise apartments, law courts, police station, Vic Roads, and soon will house the new Brimbank Council offices and library.Brown rusty cast iron end panel from a Seed & Fertilizer Drill"SUN" / SEED & FERTILIZER DRILL / H.V. McKAY PTY. LTD / MAKERS / SUNSHINE / D879 agricultural machinery, sun, "sun" seed & fertilizer drill, h.v. mckay pty. ltd., d879, 1921, 1930, sunshine

Photograph shows the view from William St looking west along Bourke St. Has two cable tram sets in the view, along with on the south side of Bourke Street the former St. James Building, Gollin & Company Building, then over King Street, Bourke Street West Police Station, McLean Bros. & Rigg Ironmongery & Hardware Store, (later Hudon's Store) and the Tramways Head Office Building. On the northside of Bourke Street is the Massey-Harris Building, John Connell & Co. Pty Ltd "Gresham House" and over King Street, H.V. McKay Harvester's Sunshine Head Office. Also in the distance is the Spencer Street Railway Station buildings. The Archway visible through the St. James Building led into the former Lt. James Street. Yields information about Bourke Street between 1909 and 1913Photograph - sepia toned on A4 sheetHas TMSV Sales stamp on rear.trams, bourke st, william st, cable trams, tramways, tram 402, st. james building

Charlton Motors Pty Ltd Service Station, corner of High & Armstrong Streets. Motor engineers, motor supplies of all kinds. Agents for Goodyear and Dunlop tyres, Buick cars, Indian motorcycles. Massey Harris Farm Implements c. 1918. Former Malcolm's steam operated Flour Mill 1876 - 1911. Group of six men, five standing, one on a motor bike. Car across footpath. Wischers written on building next door.Black & white photograph, mounted, unframed. Group of six men, five standing, one on a motor bike. Car across footpath. Sign on building reads "Charlton Motors Pty Ltd Service Station". Advertising for Dunlop & Goodyear Tyres, Buick and Indian Motorcycles. The words Massey and Wischers are written on the building next door.charlton motors, service station, malcolm's flour mill, wischers, massey harris, high street, charlton, business, industry

Charlton Motors Service Station agents for cars, motorcycles and tyres. Established c. 1911 in the former Malcolm's Flour Mill building. The flour mill was established in 1876 and closed in 1911. The business was operated by Mr LazarusBlack & white photo, mounted, unframed. Charlton Motors Pty Ltd Service Station, corner of Armstrong and High streets. Five men in front of service Station, one man in front of Massey Harris building. Large telegraph pole on corner. Signage on buildings advertising Dunlop & Goodyear tryes, Buick and Indian motorcycles. Massey Harris Farming Implements, Wischers ?, Lazarus ?charlton motors, charlton, armstrong street