Sunshine McKay

The Sunshine McKay art print captures the head office of HV McKay at 2 Devonshire Rd. The original head office was at 668 Bourke St Melbourne and moved to Sunshine in 1909. The striking building was designed by architect J. Raymond Robinson

It’s been a privilege to learn about Hugh Victor McKay CBE (21 August 1865 – 21 May 1926). He was an Australian industrialist who is known for heading the company that developed the Sunshine Harvester, arguably the first commercially viable combine harvester. He subsequently established the Sunshine Harvester Works, which became one of Australia’s largest manufacturers of agricultural equipment.

In 1885 and patented the Sunshine Harvester which revolutionised wheat harvesting and sold throughout the world. He later acquired the Braybrook Implement Works, and renamed it the Sunshine Harvester Works after his Sunshine Harvester.

Amazingly, in 1907, the residents of Braybrook Junction successfully lobbied to rename the suburb Sunshine. The plant was expanded rapidly and at its peak employed nearly 3000 workers. It was the largest factory in Australia and as an example of entrepreneurship has probably not been surpassed in Australia.

In 1909 the Sunshine Gardens were developed to provide an amenity for the employees of the Sunshine Harvester Works. The eight-acre Gardens were sited alongside the factory and incorporated recreation facilities and popular horticultural displays.

What an incredible man and wonderful suburb.