George 'Yorkie' Bult Snr, Lathe Turner & Factory Superintendent, Sunshine Harvester Works (1871-1953)

Summary

Biography of George 'Yorkie' Bult who worked at Sunshine Harvester Works from the early 1890s until 1941.

George was born in Miners Rest, Victoria in 1871 - the second oldest son of 12 children. He began working for the Sunshine Harvester Works in the mid-1890s when it was based in Ballarat. Together with his brother John, George played a pivotal role in the company's early history.

Following the company's re-establishment after it went into liquidation, George and John (together with Bill Hopkins) were contracted by Sunshine Harvester Works in 1895 to build the firm's first 12 harvesters. At this stage, the firm was situated in a disused boiler yard in Yuille Street, Ballarat. By 1896, the Bults and Hopkins built fifty machines. The following year, George's father Walter William joined the company.

George followed the company when it relocated to Braybrook Junction (later renamed Sunshine) in 1904. He worked as a lathe turner and later became a superintendent of the Sunshine factory - a position he held for 40 years. George was a noted figure in the company and was instantly recognisable with his smoking pipe and bowler hat.

Between 1931 and 1953, George and his family lived in Kororoit Street, Sunshine. His adult sons also lived in the street which was subsequently dubbed 'Bult Street'.

Following almost 50 years of service, George retired in July 1941. He was farewelled by his colleagues with much fanfare. A 'smoke night' event was held in his honour in July 1941 at Melbourne's Centenary Hall on Exhibition Street. Chaired by factory superintendent Victor McKay, the programme included music, comedy and performances by magician Doc Rowe. George was presented with an electric refrigerator in honour of his lengthy service.

George passed away in April 1953. The funeral cortege passed the Sunshine Harvester Works as 1,000 employees lined the street.

Many of George's children were also employed at Sunshine Harvester Works. They included factory nurse Vera Lillian who worked for the company between the 1930s and 1940s and William Herbert who was a storeman between 1913 and 1919. Furthermore, George Jnr entered the firm as a 15 year old in 1921 and initially worked as a fitter. He went on to become an assembler and then a foreman of the Duplicates Department. George Jnr remained with the company till the 1960s. Fifteen year-old Frank joined the Sunshine Harvester Works in 1916 as a fitter apprentice. He became a toolmaker and inspector. Frank worked for the firm until his death in 1963.

George Snr's grandchildren Beverley Ann and Graham were employed as a time-keeper (between 1952 and 1955) and toolmaker (1967-1968), respectively.

George Snr was one of many family members who worked for the Sunshine Harvester Works. The Bults had the longest association with the company, beginning in the 1890s until the 1960s. Four generations of the family accumulated over 500 years of service to the firm. D.B Ferguson, an executive at Sunshine Harvester Works, jokingly likened the family to cockroaches, 'every time you turn something over you find one!' (Sunshine Review, September 1952, p.10).

References:
1. 'Mr George Bult Passes', Sunshine Advocate, 24 April 1953, p.1.
2. 'Nearly 50 Years Service', Sunshine Advocate, 4 July 1941, pp.1 & 3.
3. HT 31999, Copy of Notes - Speech by George Bult, circa 1929. H.V McKay Sunshine Collection, Museums Victoria.
4. HT 32007, Programme - Smoke Night for George Bult, 3 Jul 1941. H.V McKay Sunshine Collection, Museums Victoria.
5. '447 Not Out!', Sunshine Review, 1946, vol.3, no.6, p.4.
6. 'It's a Family Affair', Sunshine Review, 1952, no.17, p.10-11.
7. Transcript of interview with Vernon Bult. Held at Living History Museum of West, registration no. VLMW 87.15.
8. H.V McKay & Massey-Ferguson Employment Records, University of Melbourne Archives.