Hugh Victor McKay

– Early Life:
– Born fifth of twelve children near Drummartin, Victoria, Australia
– Parents were Irish Protestants who arrived in Victoria in 1852
– Attended Drummartin Primary School and learned about combine harvesters in California
– Built prototype stripper-harvester with his brother and father in 1885
– Revolutionized wheat harvesting with the Sunshine Harvester

– Sunshine Gardens:
– Developed in 1909 for Sunshine Harvester Works employees
– Designed by Mr. F. A. Horsfall and laid out by S. G. Thompson
– Included tennis courts, pavilion, bandstand, and bowling green
– Developed reputation for chrysanthemums and dahlias
– Managed by City of Sunshine since 1953, renamed H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens

– Harvester Judgement:
– Dispute with unions heard in Melbourne in 1907
– H. B. Higgins obliged McKay to pay employees a wage guaranteeing a reasonable standard of living
– Became basis of the basic wage in Australia for the next 60-80 years
– McKay appealed the judgement successfully
– Impact on Australian economic life

– Later Life:
– Died in Sunbury, Victoria in 1926
– Survived by wife, daughter, and two sons
– Will valued at £1,448,146 with a charitable trust established
– Trust aimed to improve country life and aid charity in Sunshine
– Legacy and impact on community

– Honours:
– Made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1918
– H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens named in his honor
– Recognition for contributions to industry and community
– Impact on Australian society and economy
– Acknowledgment of his achievements