The H.V. McKay factory—formally known as the Sunshine Harvester Works, was a landmark of Australian industrial history and a cornerstone of Sunshine, Victoria’s development. Founded by Hugh Victor McKay, inventor of the Sunshine Harvester, which revolutionized wheat harvesting in Australia. Originally based in Ballarat, McKay moved operations to Braybrook Junction in 1906, renaming it Sunshine Harvester Works after his flagship product. The factory became the largest industrial enterprise in the Southern Hemisphere by the 1920s, covering over 30 acres and employing nearly 3,000 workers. The McKay Harvester 1906. The McKay Harvester was one of the first machines in the world to strip, thresh and winnow grain ready for bagging. From a small beginning in 1884, Hugh Victor McKay became the largest manufacturer of harvesters and other agricultural machinery in Australiah.v. mckays, farm machinery

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Harvester Author: Gene Stratton Porter Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Date: First Published in 1911 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC STR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Children’s Library which reads Presented by Miss V Horn 1955 Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the harvester, gene stratton porter

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

Marianne SEBETTI (1987- ) Born Vladikavkaz, Russia Arrived Australia 2012 This work was completed while the artist was completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Art) at Federation University Australia. Framed drawing. University of Ballarat DVC Art Acquisition Award, 2014Signed verso in pencil 'Marianne Sebetti, The Harvester, 2014'artist, artwork, sebetti, marianne sebetti, drawing, agriculture, harvest

A soft cover publication of 590 pages. The cover features several photos of people and places in Sunshine, The background of these cover photos is coloured in yellow and orange. The book includes photos and photo stories as well as extracts from newspapers, government archives and census records to document key developments and stories of hardships and achievements during a critical period of industrialisation and postwar migration to Australia. It includes bibliographical references and an index.non-fictionThis publication by the Sunshine & District Historical Society builds on an earlier publication "Harvester Town: The Making of Sunshine 1890-1925". It focuses on the post-war migration years when thousands of young immigrants settled in the new City of Sunshine, bought land, built homes, had families and worked in the area's important industries. It uses a range of primary resources including photos, photo stories, interviews and other documents to explain the challenges, achievements and issues faced in the development of "Multicultural Sunshine"multiculturalism australia, , sunshine victoria, postwar migration

p.564.fictionA Gripping Romance in a Natural Setting "To my way of thinking and working, the greatest service a piece of fiction can do any reader is to leave him with a higher ideal of life than he had when he began. If in one small degree it shows him where he can be...gentler, saner, cleaner, kindlier...it is a wonder-working book. If it opens his eyes to one beauty in nature he never saw for himself and leads him one step toward the God of the Universe, it is a beneficial book..."america - fiction, romantic fiction

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

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

Cast iron grain sickle with hand-cranked wooden handle, stone grinder head, and 4 wheels, on a wooden base.International Harvestersickles, grinding tools

Old harvesters, approx five. Used as a teaching aid.ILFORDagriculture, farm, wimmera, harvesters, mouat crawford collection

This is a photo of one of the first upright machine grape harvesters operating in the Rutherglen area. It was operating in the B Seppelt & sons Distillery Road vineyards on the edge of the Murray River in Wahgunyah. Riding on the top of the machine are from left to right Mandy Jones (partly obscured), Rolly Guscot (vineyard manager), machine driver, Doug Jones (manager) and Leanne Schoen (nee Jones). Mandy Jones and Leanne Schoen being the daughters of Doug JonesBlack and white photograph of several people riding on top of a machine operating in a vineyard. On left hand side is Leanne Jones , her father Doug Jones ( Manager of Seppelts) The photograph was taken in the flats vineyard ( now Pfeiffer vineyard) It was reputably the first mechanical grape harvester in the areaOn back of photo: "170% [upper case D in small circle] Seppelt's"wineries, north east victoria, wine industry, mechanical harvester, grape harvest, seppelts winery, rutherglen, doug jones

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

Colour slide in a mount. International Harvester Factory, Dandenong circa 1954, Victoria, AustraliaMade in Englandslide, robin boyd

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

History of Agriculture in the Bendigo District from 1835 - 1985.Green Card Cover, B/W. Photo of Poppet Head. Colour Photo of a harvester in wheat field.Greater Than Gold A History of Agriculture in the Bendigo District from 1835 to 1985 Colin Webb and John Quinlanbendigo, stawell farming

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

Black and white copy of original photograph of team of five horses pushing a harvester with a man upon it. Harvesting a paddock.alf gillett, harvester, farming, horses, mt mercer

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 tin has been made early in the 20th century to hold Kornies biscuits. For the first half of the 20th century biscuits were mostly not packaged and were sold by the pound weight in grocery shops. Kornies breakfast cereals and biscuits were produced by the U.S.A. multinational company of Nabisco.This item is retained as an example of how groceries were stored and sold in the early to mid 20th century. This is a cylindrical tin with a detached lid. The sides of the tin are painted green with multi-coloured printing and an image of a farmer with a horse-drawn wheat harvester. The tin is very rusted and stained.‘Everybody’s Breakfast Kornies Biscuits’ ‘The whole of the wheat ready to eat’ nabisco biscuits and cereals

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

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, sunshine harvester factory