Summary

Black and white photograph of farmers in front of the Sunshine Harvester Works circa 1910. The building featured in the background was a remnant of the temporary annexes used for the Melbourne International Centennial, 1888-1889, and purchased for the Braybrook Implement Works.

Part of a collection of photographs, negatives, moving film, artefacts, documents and trade literature belonging to the H. V. McKay Sunshine Collection. The McKay collection is regarded as one of the most significant industrial heritage collections in Australia. The collection relates to the agricultural manufacturing firm, the Sunshine Harvester Works. The Australian operations of this company were originally founded by Hugh V. McKay in the 1890s in Ballarat. Between 1906 and 1907, McKay moved production to Sunshine where the firm became one of the largest industrial businesses in Australia. Change in ownership is a recurring theme in the company's history. In 1930, it merged with Massey-Harris to become H.V McKay Massey Harris. In the mid-1950s, the company was absorbed by Canadian agricultural firm Massey-Ferguson. Production in Sunshine ceased in the mid-1980s, following almost 100 years of manufacturing agricultural equipment.

Description of Content

Group photograph of several hundred farmers on a visit to the H.V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works. The group, all men except for two women [at centre], is in front of the main entrance to the factory. Included are the founder of the Sunshine Harvester Works, H.V. McKay [front row, far right] and N. McKay [next to H.V and holding a cigar]. In the foreground are some of the agricultural implements manufactured at the plant. In the background, at left, part of a steam locomotive is visible on the railway siding. Nearly every person in the photograph is wearing a hat.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph on off-white backing board.

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