Summary

Black and white photograph of a crowd of workers exiting the Russell Street gate at Sunshine Harvester 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

Workers coming 'off shift' at Sunshine Harvester Works. Many people can be seen leaving buildings made of corrugated iron and wood with angled tin roofs. They walk towards large iron gates that are open. Several boys stand near the gates selling newspapers.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph. Handwritten text on reverse in blue ink. Stamped text on reverse in purple ink.

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