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

Light tan colored cardboard document folded into four sections. Contains Factory Rules for employees of the H. V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works in Sunshine Victoria - May 1926.factory rules, h. v. mckay, sunshine harvester works, mckay, may 1926

Blue faced, white cardboard document folded into three sections. Contains Factory Rules for employees of the H. V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works in Sunshine Victoria - January 1913.factory rules, h. v. mckay, h. v. mckay's, sunshine harvester works, mckay, january 1913

Interpreting from the details that can be read it is believed that on 6/3/1912 Mr. M. Norton paid by cheque the sum of 5 Pounds 19 Shillings and 5 Pence, of which 5 Pounds 3 Shillings and 11 Pence was for a Summons possibly issued on 23/2/1912, while 15 Shillings and 6 Pence was the charge for the costs of the Summons. This is not a document issued by a Court of Law so use of the word 'Summons' is confusing to us at this stage. Was it just standard practice to send out a bill and call it a Summons, or was Mr. Norton late in paying and so had to pay an extra charge after being 'summoned' a second time. Could this receipt be part of a 'promissory note' exchange, payment for which had to be summoned? Another thing that can't be explained at this stage is the use of the symbol % after the amount of money written in figures, just after the Pence amount. The symbol for Pence in those days, and until decimal currency, was d as can be seen from the Duty Stamp. In 1912 and before did % also stand for Pence when the money amount was written by hand, or could it have been a shorthand way of indicating something like 'portion of amount'? This receipt is very intriguing and so we will endeavour to try to fully understand the information it contains. If any person can provide information that may assist us, then please contact the Sunshine & District Historical Society. The receipt is significant to our Society because it was issued by Sunshine Harvester / Hugh V. McKay more than 100 years ago. It also appears to contain information that at this stage is not fully understood, such as the use of the % sign, and why the word summons is used. Of further interest, but perhaps not surprising for the times, is that only Mr. is printed on the receipt. It appears that they never expected to issue these type of receipts to females.Very light tan coloured paper receipt No.1773 issued on 6/3/1912 by Sunshine Harvester / Hugh V. McKay to Mr M. Norton. The receipt has fire damage on the left side and so some details are missing. Details are hand written in ink in the spaces provided. A greenish coloured one penny (1d) Victoria Stamp Duty stamp is affixed.6 3 1912 ......ved by Cheque from Mr. M Norton ......ne the sum of Five ...... nineteen Shillings and five Pence, with ......being £5.3.11% of Enclosed Summons 23. 2.12 & 15/6 % Costs of Same.receipt no. 1773, sunshine harvester, hugh v. mckay, mr m. norton, 1912, victoria stamp duty, 1d

School of Mines Ballarat is a predecessor of Federation UniversityTyped letter from Hugh V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works to F.J. Martell School of Mines Ballarath.v mckay, f.j. martell, school of mines ballarat, sunshine harvestor works, signet extra strong watermark, letterhead

The Sunshine Harvestor was removed to a site under the Tree of Knowledge at the Federation University Mount Helen Campus.A number of colour photographs of a rusty Sunshine Harvestor located at the Ballarat Technology Park.sunshine harvester, mount helen, ballarat technology park

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.

This Smithy is a replica of the building in which the first H. V. McKay harvester was built at Drummartin in northern Victoria in 1884. The original Smithy was moved from Drummartin to Sunshine Victoria where it remained for many years outside the H. V. McKay manufacturing plant. With the construction of the standard gauge railway line the road outside the Smithy was demolished, and the original Smithy was taken to the Melbourne Museum.The original Smithy is now in a fragile state and is no longer on public display at the Melbourne Museum. The site where the original Smithy stood in Sunshine was no longer available so the replica Smithy was erected a few hundred metres away, in the South East corner of Barclay Reserve on King Edward Ave, Albion 3020.The replica Smithy permits the public to view a full sized model of the building which eventually led to the formation of the H. V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works. This firm grew to being considered the main manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere, and also led to the local area being renamed in 1907 from Braybrook Junction to Sunshine.Brown wooden building with bark roof. This building is a FULL SIZED REPLICA of the original SMITHY that was used by H. V. McKay.THE SUNSHINE HARVESTER WORKS 1884smithy, h. v. mckay, sunshine harvester works, drummartin, replica, massey harris, massey ferguson

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, balloon experiment

Newspaper copy,Gathering of the Clan, The McKays of Drummartin and Sunshine. Like many other early immigrants to Australia, this family came from Ireland, and like so many arrivals they made for the diggings.This family's name became famous for its contribution to agriculture through the Sunshine Harvester, the invention of Hugh Victor McKay, which revolutionised farming in Australia.Weekly Timesnewspaper, weekly times, h.v.mckay the sunshine harvester

Used at School of mines and industries Ballarat As H.V. McKay's Sunshine Harvester business expanded there was a requirement for a school to train the company's apprentices. In 1911, H.V. McKay wrote to the Victoria Cabinet offering 2,000 pounds and 4 1/2 acres of land in Derby Rd for a technical school, On the 7th July 1913, the new Sunshine Technical School opened with a wooded administration building with six class rooms and a large galvanised iron workshop for the trade apprentices. Mr George Baxter was appointed principal with assistant teachers, A.J. Dunlop (Maths & English), W.W. Anderson (Art) & H.B. Ernest (Maths & Science). Seventy students were enrolled in the first year of which 44 were apprentices from the Harvester Works. During the First World War Years (1914 - 1918) there was a difficulties with staffing and enrollments. The school was also used to provide vocational training for wounded returned soldiers. In 1919 during the great influenza epidemic the school was used as a hospital. ​Light blue soft covered booklet of 60 pages with information about office bearers, staff, objects of the school, prizes and scholarships, examinations, time tables, courses, and subjects. It has photographs and advertising.sunshine, technical school, sunshine technical school, prospectus, hugh victor mckay, r.m. lambert, george mckay, d.b. ferguson, samuel mckay, george bult, ralph mckay, george butlin, george baxter, f.s. midgley, j.b. gray, w. kerr, a.j. dunlop, h. ernst, w.w. anderson, f. cleary, school councillors, staff, blacksmithing, carpentry, fitting and turning, moulding, sheet metal, mathematis, english, science, art, 1914, h v mckay, sunshine harvester, 2000 pounds and land donated, wounded returned soldiers, 1919 ued as hospital, influenza epidemic

Local historic scene.Black and White Photographplaque at bottom left of frame.

The image of Ballarat Trustees relates to a building on the corner of Mair and Lydiard Streets. In 2010 it was used as Cuthberts law firm.Grey/green soft covered book. Includes photographs and map. Themes include: Ballarat History pre gold, mining, Eureka Stockade, Lake Wendouree, South Street, Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia, schools, Black Hill, Lake Burrumbeet, Creswick, Buninyong. Illustrations and advertisement include: Sturt Street,James Smith, Ballarat Town Hall, Ballarat East Town Hall, Rowlands, Ballarat brewing Co., Royal Standard Brewery, steam train, Lake Wendouree, J.S. Vickery & Son, trout, Berry, Anderson & co., Ballarat Botanical Gardens and hot houses, Claxton Memorial Fountain, statues, New Imperial Gold Mine, Art Gallery of Ballarat, St Patrick's College, Ballarat Grammar School, Ballarat School of Mines, Ballarat College, Sunnyside Woollen Mills, Ballarat Agricultural High School, Passenger Steamer on Lake Wendouree, Moorabool Falls, Lal Lal Falls, Grosvenor Square, Netherby, Buninyong, Ballarat Motor Garage.ballarat, cuthberts, ballarat trustees, sturt street, tram, trams, ballarat town hall, crag's hotel, sun foundry, eureka aerated waters and brewing co, d. lem, chinese practioner, chinese herbalist, hugh v. mckay, sunshine harvester, gordon brothers, central business college, george hotel, edwards pyrites furnace, long's biscuits, ballarat eisteddfod, george farmer, ballarat botanical gardens, eureka stockade, lake wendouree, ballarat school of mines, moorabool falls, kirks reservoir, ballarat post office, hepburn lagoon, star of the east mine, emu river, ballarat observatory, statues, angus' rialto cafe, carlyon's hotel, clarendon ladies' college, j.e, sang, ballarat coffee palace, stansfield and smith, ballaray brewing company, phoenix brewery, rotal standard brewery, john macleod co, robert sim and co, cobb and co\eagle foundry, j.j. goller and co., mt buninyong lookout, ballarat town hall ballarat east gardens, hot house, glass house, statuary pavilion new imperial gold mining co.,, art gallery of ballarat, st patrick's college, ballarat agricultural high school, lake wendouree steamer, grass trees at mt clear, mount clear, lake burrumbeet, newlyn reservoir trout, lal lal falls, grosvenor square, netherby, ramelli's motor garage, buninyong gold obelisk, memorial, imperial gold mine, botanical gardens lily pond and fernery

Autobiography as told by Templeton, Arthur John. Typed and edited by David Templeton (Arthur's brother) from November 1991-July 1992.Typescript in a maroon display book with a maroon binding. Contains autobiography of Arthur J. Templeton.LIFE & TIMES OF ARTHUR J. TEMPLETONarthur j. templeton, birth 1923, sunshine harvester co, h. s. taylor, waterloo ontario canada, apprenticeship, family, work in tasmania, president chamber of manufactures, leisure.

ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OWNED BY MRS. LENA COOK OF CASTLEMAINE RD. CRESWICK.BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPH (COPY) OF WALTER COOK SNR. USING A SUNSHINE HARVESTER , HARVESTING WHEAT ON HIS FARM - ON COOK'S RD. TOURELLO. HIS SON JOHN COOK STANDING BESIDE HARVESTER. CIRCA 1895.local history, photography, photographs, early citizens

Newspaper article (Bendigo Advertiser May 9th, 1970) ''McKay of Drummartin'' - Hugh Victor McKay and family. Family history of McKay family, their farming at Drummartin, the development of the Sunshine Harvester etc. Mention of Pickles firm in Bendigo being one of the contractors used in the early days of production of the harvester (office in Ballarat in 1886). Property in 1970 being in the hands of Ron McKay. Photos of property and early harvester and restoration.Bendigo Advertiserperson, individual, mckay family

The Braybrook Junction railway station was opened on 7th September 1885 at the junction of the railway lines to Ballarat and to Bendigo. In 1904 H. V. McKay purchased the Braybrook Implement Works nearby, and in 1906 he moved his Sunshine Harvester Works agricultural machinery business from Ballarat to Braybrook Junction. In 1907 the station and township were renamed Sunshine after the Sunshine Harvester Works. On 20 April 1908 (Easter Monday), Sunshine station was the scene of the biggest train disaster in Victoria, when 44 people were killed and 400 injured from the 1100 people that were aboard the two trains. A Melbourne bound train from Bendigo collided with the rear of a train from Ballarat. There is a memorial plaque on platform 1 at the present Sunshine station. Sunshine station has recently been undergoing a complete rebuild. On 20 January 2014 the station, although not yet completed, was opened for train use, after being closed for several weeks.This photograph is significant because it is a reminder that the present Sunshine station and the nearby area were once named Braybrook Junction. It also shows what the Station, the Signal Box, and the station personnel looked like in circa 1905.Monochrome photograph showing Braybrook Junction Station and the Signal Box, plus station personnel. One of the personnel is holding a 'Staff' which was actually the authority for the train to proceed to the next Station or Signal Box. Photograph has substantial crazing in the upper left corner, a long diagonal crease, and dog eared corners.BRAYBROOK JUNCTNbraybrook junction station, railway, sunshine, train, transport, 1905, 1907, 1908, 7 september 1885

Rupertswood Mansion was the Sunbury residence of the Clarke family from 1874 until 1922 when H.V.McKay of Sunshine Harvester fame bought it from Hon. W.L. Russell Clarke in 1922. After the death of H.V.McKay in 1926, it was purchased by W. Naughton who then sold the mansion and 700 acres of land to the Salesian Fathers, who are the present owners. It is now the site of Salesian College, a Catholic co-educational college fore secondary students.Rupertswood Mansion has had close social, spiritual and educational links with Sunbury's development since 1874.A small sepia photograph with a cream frame of a driveway leading to a large mansion. 'RUPERTSWOOD' written in the LH corner of the photograph.rupertswood mansion, clarke, w.j.t., mckay, h.v., salesian college

The grand building is Rupertswood Mansion which was the Sunbury home of the Clarke family. The foundation stone was laid29th August 1874 by Mrs. W.J. Clarke the first wife of W.J.Clarke. The property along with the Clarke family have been interwoven with Sunbury's history over the decades and remained in the Clarke family until 1922 when H.V. McKay of Sunshine Harvester fame purchased the property. The Salesian Fathers purchased it in 1927 and since that time the property has been a school. Many important events have taken place in Sunbury within the Rupertswood grounds over the years. A non-digital black and white photograph of a double storey grand mansion with a return verandah on the ground floor and a balcony with decorative iron lace across the front. An elegant tower is over the main entrance.rupertswood estate, rupertswood mansion, w.j.clarke

These are the original wrought iron gates which served as the entrance to St. Andrews Uniting Church, formerly St.Andrews Presbyterian Church. They were erected there in 1922 and were made at H.V.McKay's Sunshine Harvester foundry, at Sunshine. H.V McKay was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Sunbury. Originally the gates opened onto Stawell Street, which ran at an angle between O'Shanassy and Barkly Streets. Apart from a small area leading to the Memorial Hall the rest of Stawell Street has been incorporated in the Village Green in Sunbury.The gates were restored and erected on their original site in 2000. A scanned coloured photograph of white painted wrought iron double gates with two smaller gates on either side and supported by stone pillars. A church building is just beyond a grassed area.st. andrews church, st. andrew's uniting church, wrought iron gates

In the foreground of this photograph are the original wrought iron gates which served as the entrance to St. Andrews Uniting Church, formerly St.Andrews Presbyterian Church. They were erected there in 1922 and were made at H.V.McKay's Sunshine Harvester foundry, at Sunshine. H.V McKay was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Sunbury. Originally the gates opened onto Stawell Street, which ran at an angle between O'Shanassy and Barkly Streets. Apart from a small area leading to the Memorial Hall the rest of Stawell Street has been incorporated in the Village Green in Sunbury.The gates fell into disrepair but in 2000 they were restored and erected on their original site. A coloured photograph of white painted wrought iron double gates with two smaller gates on either side and supported by stone pillars. A red brick church is in the background beyond a grassed area. st. andrews uniting church, h.v.mckay, stawell street, churches, st.andrews presbyterian church, sunbury

John Sherlock Willaton was born 1.8.1897 in Sebastopol near Ballarat. In 1916 aged 18 years 8 months he enlisted in the 1st AIF and embarked overseas with the blessing of his employer even though he had not completed his apprenticeship. He was wounded in action with a bullet wound to the right foot. His family moved from Ballarat to Sunshine in 1917 and when he was discharged in 1918 he joined the Sunshine Harvester Works as a Fitter and Turner. He was promoted to Sub Foreman of the Bolt Shop toolroom where one of his main responsibilities was training apprentices and he remained in that position until his retirement on the 4.8.1961.Contains original signatures of 112 workmates at Massey-Ferguson (Australia) Ltd of John S. Willaton. It is an original document and the only copy in existence.Farewell signatures of 112 workmates on the retirement on 4-8-1961 of JOHN S. WILLATON from Massey-Ferguson (Australia) Ltd, after working more than 43 years. The document contains 3 pages of signatures bound in a fawn coloured cardboard folder. The 3 pages are bound to the folder with a black ribbon tape and the folder has a green coloured tape on the back edge.112 signatures of John S. Willaton's workmates.willaton john s., farewell card, retirement, massey ferguson, h. v. mckay, workmate signatures, mckay

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

The Sunvale Primary School was situated on Neil Street, near Hertford Road, Sunshine, on the former Moons paddock. The school was officially opened on the 9th of October 1957 with an enrolment of 214 students. Most of the students were transferred from the overcrowded Sunshine, and Sunshine East Primary Schools. The acting head teacher and five temporary teachers came from the East Sunshine Primary School from which about 170 students also came. During the later years the school operated as part of a three campus primary school complex formed between Sunvale Primary School, Sunshine East Primary School, and Braybrook Primary School. After the modern Sunshine Harvester Primary School was built on the East Sunshine Primary School site, the students from the Braybrook and Sunvale schools were transferred there. Sunvale Primary School was closed on 9th September 2009.The magazine is a historical record of the initial 40 years of the school and of activities associated with the school. It contains the names of the Principals, from Mr. Bartels in 1957 to Mr. A. Dash in 1997, and also the names of Chairs of the School Council, from Mr. F. Sanford to Mr. T. Cuddy. It also features articles on the history of the school, the mothers club, the parents & friends members, special events & features, class & staff photographs, sport, and has a memories section. The special events & features section includes the school ball, camps, the Governor's visit in 1995, and Sunvale's famous Olympian staff member Pam Kilborn.Bright yellow covered 40 page book with green and white printing on the cover. A large emblem of the no longer existing SUNVALE PRIMARY SCHOOL is featured on the front cover, and a smaller version is on the back. The magazine is described as "A Scrap Book of Memories", and covers the years 1957 to 1997.SUNVALE Primary School S/PS HONOURS WITH HONOUR A Scrap Book of Memories 1957 - 1997sunvale, primary school, school magazine, scrap book of memories, moons paddock, 1957, 1997, bartels, dash, sanford, kilborn, cuddy

This type of wrench or spanner was used as a service tool for H. V. McKay Pty. Ltd. manufactured agricultural machinery. This specific tool belonged to Albert (Bert) Montgomery of 11 Kamarooka St, Albion. Bert Montgomery was born in Sunshine and in 1910 was apprenticed as a carpenter with Sunshine Harvester Works, where he worked as a wood machinist. On 19 August 1914, while still an apprentice, he enlisted in the First AIF. He left McKay's and started business as a builder probably just prior to WW2. After the war he joined the Shire of Braybrook as Assistant Building Surveyor until he retired. In 1962 Bert and his friend Jack Causon (proprietor of an Anderson Road second hand store that previously was Les James grocery) were on a fishing trip to Lake Tooliorook (aka Ettrick) near Lismore, Victoria. Their boat capsized and both fishermen were drowned. Bert was a Past President of Sunshine RSL and at that time it was reported that his funeral was the largest that Sunshine had seen. The information about Bert Montgomery was supplied by a Committee member of the Sunshine & District Historical Society Inc. who spoke to Montgomery's daughter, who also donated the tool. This tool serves as a reminder of the large H. V. McKay agricultural manufacturing works that once existed in Sunshine. The tool is associated with the works, and the design is significant enough for images of the tool to be used in an artistic mural, which is painted on the Eastern Pillar of the new H. V. McKay Footbridge in Sunshine, Victoria 3020.Curved double ended rusty cast iron wrench with 4 open slots plus 2 closed slots'H V McKAY' on one side and 'D324' on the reverse sideh. v. mckay pty. ltd, d324, d324 wrench, d324 spanner, agricultural spanner, antique wrench, agricultural tool, albert montgomery, jack causon, lake tooliorook

William McKay came to Australia in 1851 with three sons and four daughters. He selected land at Drummartin and the family farmed extensively. Williams grandson, Hugh Victor, was only sixteen and helping his father with the wheat harvest, when he had the idea to make a machine that would both strip and winnow the wheat, thus saving time and effort. His first machine was ready by February 1884. Hugh Victor subsequently started a small factory in Ballarat before moving to the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine. Thus became what is known as the Sunshine combine harvester.Bendigo Advertiser from Saturday May 9, 1970. The article is titled: "McKay of Drummartin, he began a new era for the world". Several photographs complement the article.drummartin, mckay