Summary

Framed testimonial presented to Headlie Shipard Taylor by residents of the Henty District of New South Wales on 3 March 1917, upon his departure from the district to take up a role at H.V. McKay's Sunshine Harvester Works. The testimonial congratulates Headlie on his invention of the 'Reaper Thresher' (also known as the Taylor Header Harvester).

The testimonial reads 'On behalf of the Farming community of Henty and the surrounding Districts we desire to tender you our heartiest congratulations on the success of your Invention the Taylor Reaper Thresher. We feel deeply indebted to you for your enterprise in placing at our disposal such a perfect machine and feel certain that your achievements as an Australian will be recognised throughout the world as one of the leading inventors of the Nineteenth Century. Your universal kindness and consideration during your lifelong residence amongst us has made for you a host of friends, and while we regret to hear of your leaving us we rejoice in the fact that it is to place the result of your labours in a sphere where success is beyond doubt. In conclusion we wish you life long happiness and prosperity.'

Physical Description

Document inside a brown wooden frame.

Significance

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.

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