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H V McKay Memorial Gates

Location

Anderson Road; King Edward Avenue & Talmage Street, SUNSHINE VIC 3020 - Property No 42

File Number

1562

Level

Incl in HO area contributory

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1562 - Brimbank City Council
[2/3]
Memorial Gates.JPG
[3/3]
Site 042 - HV McKay Memorial

Statement of Significance

Individual place statement of significance::
The elaborate wrought iron gates are of regional significance for their historical association with H V McKay and his company town of Sunshine. They are also of architectural (technical design) significance as a fine example of blacksmith-forged decorative wrought iron gates. The gates were erected in memory of H.V. McKay, seventy years after the invention of the 'Sunshine Harvester'.

Precinct statement of significance::
The McKay housing subdivision is of national historical and social significance as the first stage of the suburb created by Australia's leading industrialist and a milestone in the development of the industrial suburb, under the influence of the Garden City movement. Sunshine became a yardstick for planning and housing reformers, with H.V. McKay being regarded as an expert on planned industrial housing. The McKay estate is of regional architectural significance as it marks a crucial phase in the development of Sunshine, housing the resident work force which promoted further industrial development.

The estate is also of historical significance in relation to H. V. McKay's important role in the history of industrial relations in Victoria and Australia, as the provision of housing for his workers was one of the arguments made by McKay in defending the Basic Wages Case which lead to Justice Higgins' "Harvester Judgement".

The group of houses along Forrest Street, Ridley Street, Sydney Street, King Edward Avenue, Anderson Road, Talmage Street and Kororoit Street, represent the type of houses built either by or for company employees, foremen and managers. The houses include major remnants of the large blocks allotted to senior staff of the Sunshine Harvester Works. Most of the houses were set back on their blocks with side drives, rather than rear service lanes, giving an air of spaciousness and permitting large gardens (of which some remnants survive).

Group