Summary
Charitable work carried out by Sunshine Harvester Works and its employees.
The Sunshine Harvester Works and its employees supported many community organisations and social causes at a local, national and international level. Workers and senior staff undertook fundraising initiatives and donated money, and sometimes their labour, for many groups and campaigns.
Following the death of company founder H.V McKay in 1926, a charitable trust was established in his name. In accordance with McKay's request, the H.V McKay Charitable Trust was created to fund projects aimed at advancing agricultural education and improving living conditions for rural Australians and Sunshine residents. The Trust continues to carry out McKay's wishes by supporting various organisations and causes. In addition to bequeathing money for the Trust prior to his death, McKay left a large sum for his friend Rev. John Flynn to establish the Royal Flying Doctors Service in 1928.
Workers also contributed their support to various community groups and campaigns. Throughout the company's history, assistance was given to disaster relief efforts. For instance, staff from the Sunshine Harvester Works rebuilt houses destroyed during the 1939 Black Friday bushfires in Warrandyte. Money was also donated to other flood and fire relief.
Employee clubs from various departments regularly raised money for numerous groups, including local hospitals, welfare societies and youth centres. Some workers also volunteered for local groups. In addition, workers engaged in fundraising campaigns to deliver food to Great Britain which was experiencing a food shortage following World War II.
- References
- Sunshine Outlook 1963, 'Printers Do Fine Job for Charity', vol. 1, no. 6, p.5
- Sunshine Outlook 1966, Untitled article, vol. 1, no. 21, p.17.
- H.V McKay Charitable Trust 2008, 'H.V McKay Charitable Trust', accessed 26 June 2013 <http://www.hvmckaytrust.org.au/index.htm>
- Royal Flying Doctors Service 2013, "The John Flynn Story", accessed 26 June 2013 < http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/About-Us/Our-History/The-John-Flynn-Story/>
- HT 31773, Pamphlet - 'The H. V. McKay Charitable Trust, A Brief Summary of its Origin & Objects'.
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