PART FIVE - The Opening
The MV Mahout carried Captain Briggs and a small staff of specialists to direct
the installation of the plant - a duplicate of the Derby works - that could churn
out 500 lawn mowers per week (initially) and employ 150 Australians.

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OPENING:
Qualcast Australia Pty. Ltd. was officially opened by the Acting P.M. on
Monday, 6 October, 1930. It was fitting that the Acting PM was none other
than ... James Edward Fenton, the Minister that championed the protectionist
regime in order to kick start our secondary industries.

The factory, on Sunshine Road, West Footscray, covered an acre and a half,
and was clearly chosen for future expansion - including overseas markets to
the East.

In this article, from October 1930, note the reference to 'dark days were
ahead' and 'much needed employment' being balanced by the 'optimistic spirit'
of Qualcast.

Qualcast set up shop here in the most difficult of times - the Australian
Great Depression. It was a bold move to impose harsh tariffs, but a necessary
one ... it created Australian jobs at the most difficult of times. But its
long-term effects would be profound.

I regret not having found any photo records of the opening.

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TO BE CONTINUED ...