Descendants of Gawler inventor John Frederick May (Fred) are to be the guest speakers at the next meeting of the Gawler ALP Sub-Branch as part of History Month.
Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said Andrew May, the great-great grandson of Fred May has been invited to address the sub-branch as part of its contribution to events in Gawler for History Month.
“The talk, titled May More Than Martin, could be quite controversial, as Andrew May believes Fred May made a greater contribution to Gawler than James Martin,” Mr Piccolo said.
“Andrew says Fred’s achievements have not been properly acknowledged by the South Australian community and that his inventions, such as the adjustable harvester comber and ore concentrator, revolutionised Australian agriculture and mining.
“Andrew is determined to correct the record and ensure that Fred receives the recognition he rightly deserves and has published a book to demonstrate his importance to the town.”
“Andrew said that their research [with his son James] unearthed so much historical material that he is working on the second volume of Fred’s life in South Australia.”
The centenary of the first trials of May Brothers Climax Harvester took place in Gawler River on 5 January this year.
Mr May said that what distinguished this harvester from earlier models was that it had an adjustable comb and was wider.
"That patent went worldwide and it's still used today,” Mr May said.
“Fred deserves great acknowledgement for what he did not only for Gawler, but Australia and beyond, in relation to mining and agricultural machinery,” he said.
Remnants of the May Foundry in Bassett Town (Gawler South) still exist with the old showroom now a series of townhouses. The meeting is open to the general public and will be held on Monday 8 May at 7:30 pm in the upstairs room of Café Nova, 19 Murray Street, Gawler.