Summary

Description of the Sunshine Harvester Works Commonwealth Service Department

The Sunshine Harvester Works' Commonwealth Service Department was responsible for servicing tractors and other machinery sold by the company's agents throughout Australia. Servicemen were trained in machinery repair and operating techniques. They also became familiar with machine assembly while working in the Sunshine factory. Servicemen travelled the country visiting farmers to ensure that equipment functioned properly.

The company had many servicemen, including Gerald Evans. He joined the department in the early 1950s. He travelled around Victoria and the Riverina in his company truck, taking with him a tool kit and repair parts. He would often meet the farmer at the goods yard of the local railway station where the machine from the Sunshine factory had been delivered. The machine was then unloaded, assembled and taken to the farm for testing. Gerald took great pride in his work. He would remain at the farm until the farmer was satisfied with his machine's performance. 'If I had to stay, I'd stay', he recalls, 'that was common sense to me, often eliminating any need for repeat visits'.

The Commonwealth Service Department was located in the company's head office at 2 Devonshire Road Sunshine. There were also service branches in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania.

References
Sunshine Review 1948, 'Commonwealth Service Department', vol. 1, no. 1, pp.9.
Sunshine Review 1955, 'Service - to Sell Again', no. 31, pp.5.
Interview with Gerald Evans by Snjez Cosic, 20 September 2013. Recording held at Museum Victoria.
Related narratives
Factory Site of Sunshine Harvester Works

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