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H V McKay Memorial Gardens
Anderson Road, SUNSHINE VIC 3020 - Property No 24

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Brimbank City

1561a. - Brimbank City Council Post-contact Cultural Heritage Study 1999

1561b. - Brimbank City Council Post-contact Cultural Heritage Study 2000

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

Individual place statement of significance::
The H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens are of State significance as an early example of a privately- funded garden attached to an industrial site and catering primarily for the recreation needs of workers, their families and local residents; as an integral part of an industrial complex of national importance in the history of Australian manufacturing; as part of the 'garden suburb' vision of H.V. McKay, pioneer industrialist and developer of much of the infrastructure of the suburb of Sunshine; as a link with an earlier era, with remaining elements including exotic trees, especially oaks, and some early path lay-out and landscaping. The Gardens are also of regional significance as an oasis in the heart of a densely-developed industrial and residential area and of local significance as the setting for the McKay Memorial Presbyterian church. Note: This statement of significance is based on that prepared by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

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- Physical Description 1
  
  H V McKay Memorial Gardens - Physical Description 1
  
  Set in a triangular block between Anderson Road and the North East Railway line and bounded on the south side by the closed section of Devonshire Road, which has been incorporated into the gardens themselves. The HV McKay Memorial Gardens contain a collection of mainly exotic trees, shrubs and perennials, as well as a small rose garden. Some of the larger, more mature and uncommon trees include a pair of Cupressus glabra, a pair of Quercus robur and a pair of Lagunaria patersonii, a number of large Quercus robur, Lagunaria patersonii and Cedrus deodara. There is also a large Magnolia grandiflora, Grevillea robusta, Populus deltoides and a redwood. Among the older and more interesting shrubs is a large clump of Strelitzia nicholii, Cordyline australis and Doryanthes sp. (Gymaea lily). A concrete base glasshouse, dating from c.1920s-30s, was recently demolished. At the Anderson Road northern entrance (opposite King Edward Avenue) there is an iron gate (c.1920s) with concrete posts and a much older ornamental bluestone gate post. The gatepost is said to have been the work of Nathaniel McKay (father of H.V. McKay), a stonemason who made the fence and posts for the Scots Church in Collins Street. The wrought-iron gates were the work of Charlie Pippett, a blacksmith at H.V. McKay's Sunshine Harvester Works.
  
  Condition
  
  Good.
  
  Physical Conditions
  
  H V McKay Memorial Gardens - Physical Conditions
  
  Good
  
  Historical Australian Themes
  
  H V McKay Memorial Gardens - Historical Australian Themes
  
  4 Building settlement, towns and cities
  4.1 Planning urban settlements
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Brimbank - Brimbank City Council Post-contact Cultural Heritage Study
  
  Author: G. Vines
  Year: 2000
  Grading: State
- Show:
- MASSEY FERGUSON COMPLEX
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H0667
- HV MCKAY MEMORIAL GARDENS AND CHURCH
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1953
- HV MCKAY OFFICES
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1966
- 'NORWAY'
  
  Boroondara City
- 1 Mitchell Street
  
  Yarra City
- 1) WEATHERBOARD SHOP, 2) CORRUGATED IRON BUILDING AND 3) WEATHERBOARD HOUSE BEHIND, 960 HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE RD
  
  Nillumbik Shire