PART EIGHT – Burwood Road Premises - Gadge
Ray Tijou was a successful dealer because he knew
how to market lawnmowers. With frequent advertising,
publicity stunts, and a distinctive premises, folks
remember Ray’s shop to this day.

[Linked Image]
This image is used with the permission of the author, John Hunter,
a talented photographer and recorder of commercial signage.
Visit his photostream at: - https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhuntermelbourne/

GADGE continues the story: -
The interesting thing is, this display was originally
motorised, so that the mannequin appeared to be
moving the mower back and forth along the angle
iron tracks its wheels rest in!

The motion was very attention-grabbing if one was
passing by. Made it a bit of a landmark, when we
drove past it when I was a kid.

Dunno just when it became static only, but it was
after the 1970's.

The company 'Ray Tijou Pty Ltd', formerly Ltd,
was registered from 1956 to 2005
[deregistration applied for 2002]; ABN 53 004 359 844
cancelled 2001, according to ASIC.
Last trading name under the ABN was
'HAWTHORN HARDWARE & MOWERS'.

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This motorised sign seems to me to be consistent with
Harry Tijou's showmanship. For those who remember,
the effigy is of former Australian Prime Minister
Robert Menzies, and the mower is a very early Supa-Swift.
The contrast - of high-brow authority against working-class
lawn mowing is hilarious.

GADGE offers this thoughtful and intelligent explanation:

The Menzies thing is really just the photographer's interpretation,
I think. No real political intent; just an attention-getting publicity display.
The facial features have a definite caricature look to them, in any case.

However, there is definitely some 'sendup' element expressed in
that mannequin's attire, which didn't change over the years.
A 'toff' in 'full fig' of top hat and morning suit,
pushing a lawnmower....

The display was certainly there in the mid 1960's, but I don't
know when it first went up. It was certainly unique; I don't recall
many mechanical [as against neon] 'animated signs'
being around then, and no others of that level of ingenuity.

So Harry Tijou, as an engineer, could well have built it himself.
He obviously had quite a lot of ability in the publicity field as well;
this could well have been a combined expression of his skill set.


TO BE CONTINUED ...