Sunshine was once known for its manufacturing, but these days its reputation is built on its culturally diverse community and food offerings to match
Located in the heart of Melbournes western suburbs lies Sunshine, a suburb with a strong working class history that is in the process of shrugging off its reputation as one of Melbournes rougher neighbourhoods, through gradual gentrification.
At the turn of last century when the area was known as Braybrook Junction, industrialist Hugh Victor McKay established the Sunshine Harvester Works. He bought 400 acres of surrounding land, and provided key infrastructure and services such as electric lighting, public buildings and housing, to encourage workers to settle nearby. The Sunshine Harvester Works became the largest manufacturing plant in Australia, and in 1907 local residents successfully petitioned to rename the locality Sunshine, in honour of McKays contribution.
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