Summary
In 1954 as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of H.V. McKay's original harvester design, a farm smithy model building competition was held. The models were judged according to accuracy of dimensions, construction, detail and appearance. The first prize was awarded to Mr Vern Eason at the Sunshine's 70th Anniversary Exhibition. Mr Eason was subsequently commissioned by H. V. McKay Massey Harris to produce four more models, with one to be given to each of the branch offices in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland, and the remaining model to 'have a place of honour at Sunshine' (Sunshine Review, Sept 1954). This model is almost certainly one of these five models.
Six models were entered into the competition. V. Eason (Maintenance), P. Kruszynski (Painters), A. Reid (Fitters), A.W. Snaith (Transport Repair), J. Duggan (Builders), W.J. Pummeroy (Core). All of the entries were displayed as part of the 70th Anniversary Exhibition, 12-18th March 1954.
The H.V. McKay farm smithy was built at Drummartin, Victoria, by Hugh McKay and his brother John. It was in this smithy that the prototype of McKay's famous stripper harvester was assembled between December 1884 and February 1885.
Physical Description
Model made of rough wooden planks on plastered, textured wooden base. Rectangular windowless building with triangular roof and door on right hand side and anvil, furnace and table inside.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd, 01 Aug 1956
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Commissioned By
H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd, Sunshine, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1954
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Modelmaker
Mr Francis (Vern) Vernon Eason, Sunshine, Victoria, Australia, 1954
Vern Eason worked in the Maintenance Department at the Sunshine Harvester Works. -
Owner of Item Modelled
Mr Hugh Victor McKay, Drummartin, via Elmore, Victoria, Australia, 1884
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Inscriptions
On label at front: SCALE MODEL / OF THE / FARM SMITHY / IN WHICH / HUGH VICTOR McKAY / BUILT THE /FIRST SUNSHINE HARVESTER / IN 1884, AT DRUMMARTIN, VICTORIA
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Classification
Manufacturing & industry, Agricultural & horticultural equipment, Model workshops
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Object Dimensions
437 mm (Width), 520 mm (Depth), 377 mm (Height)
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References
HT 32141, Magazine - Sunshine Review, No 25, Sep 1954, Museums Victoria Collections ( [Link 1] ); HT 15946, Booklet - Sunshine Harvester 70th Anniversary Exhibition, 12 to18 March, 1954, Museums Victoria Collections ([Link 2] ); "1884-1954, Catalogue of Exhibit, Sunshine Harvester 70th Anniversay Exhbition, 12 th to 18 th March, 1954 - Sunshine Machines, Historical Items, Employees' Arts & Crafts, 70 Years Since the First Sunshine Harvester", H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Lts, Sunshine, Victoria.
[Journal] Sunshine Review., No.25, Sep 1954, p.3 Pages
[Article] Dale-Hallett, Liza, et al. 'The McKay Collection', in Rasmussen, Carolyn. A Museum for the People: A History of Museum Victoria and its predecesors, 1854-2000. pp.271-273., 2001
[Article] 2003. "Resurrecting the Sunshine Harvester Works: Re-presenting and Reinterpreting the Experience of Industrial Work in Twentieth-Century Australia", Labour History., 2003
[Article] Dale-Hallett, Liza. 2004. "Collecting by Stealth: the HV McKay Collection", Museum Victoria Magazine., 2004
[Book] H.V. McKay, Sunshine Harvester Works. 1954. 70 Years.
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Keywords
Agriculture, Blacksmithing, Blacksmithing Tools, Buildings, Modelmaking