Hello ODK History Lovers,

The hardest thing in vintage mower history is synthesis - the ability to take-in
a lot of information and makes sense of it. This article discusses the great UK
firm of Qualcast coming to Australia. This was a significant event in our history
because of its high symbolism. It was - at its heart - really about our nation
building.

BACK STORY
Australia federated in 1901, making it a Commonwealth Nation. The sentiments of
nationhood, probably inspired by the horrific events of WWI, gave Australia a new-
found confidence in asserting itself on the world stage.

The new Australia was not about being a primary products lackey to Mother England
or the world; but asserting itself as a developed nation - capable of producing
secondary products as good as any produced anywhere in the world. Australia needed
to be self-sufficient in manufacture.

To this end, considerable public debate was undertaken; with a view to both
Australian manufacture of goods - both by Australian companies commencing or
expanding production, and overseas companies coming here to commence production
in this country. All of this happened.

This is the story of Qualcast (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

[Linked Image]
C1930s State Library NSW: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemLarge.aspx?itemID=8242

TO BE CONTINUED ...