Timeline

Timeline – McKay Gardens

1904, MCKAY FACTORY RELOCATED

Hugh Victor McKay moves his factory from Ballarat to Braybrook Junction (later Sunshine)

1907, CHURCH BUILT

A timber Presbyterian Church was built on the other side of the railway to the factory

1909, GARDENS CREATED

H.V. McKay establishes the Sunshine Gardens for the use of the workers at the McKay Harvester factory

1911, FOOTBRIDGE BUILT

A timber footbridge is built across the railway, providing a direct link from the Gardens to the entrance of the Harvester factory site

1918, BOWLING GREEN OPENED

Official opening of the Sunshine Bowling Green

1926, HUGH VICTOR MCKAY DIES

Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1925, McKay dies at home in Rupertswood Mansion, Sunbury

1928, BRICK CHURCH OPENS

With land formally donated by McKay, building of a brick Presbyterian church commenced in 1926 and was completed in 1928

1930, FOOTBRIDGE EXTENDED

McKay footbridge is extended to span across Harvester Road in addition to the railway tracks

1930, BUSINESS MERGER

The firm known as Hugh V McKay merges with Massey Harris to become H V McKay Massey Harris

1930, NEW HEAD GARDENER APPOINTED

James Willan is appointed as head gardener

1940, NEW HEAD GARDENER APPOINTED

Harold Gray is appointed as head gardener, his tenure becoming particularly well known for floral displays of Chrysanthemums and Dahlias

1953, GARDENS GIFTED TO COUNCIL

Gardens given to the City of Sunshine by Hugh McKay’s son, Cecil and became H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens (coll. Sunshine Gardens)