Hello ODK History Lovers
I have argued in these great forums that the Australian Lawnmower industry came about by
deliberate government intervention - via tariffs - that encouraged local production
(by overseas mower makers that moved here; but mostly encourages local production by
Australian lawnmower makers to continue manufacture, or commence manufacture).

The tariff protections of c1930 would prove successful in doing this.

I have not argued, however, that local lawnmower manufacture did not take place prior
to the birth of the Australian lawnmower industry in the 1930s. It certainly did!

I have termed pre-1930 Australian lawnmower makers the AUS Lawnmower Pioneers -
those who made lawnmowers in the 1920s (or even earlier ?)

This article is generally about early power mower making in Australia. It's a rare couple of makers
that I have identified: Adelaide's Scott Bonnar and Sydney's Lark Parkes. I have written extensively
on both.

This article is specifically about a very particular Lark Parkes 14" machine that has just come to
light-of-day in early 2018. I date it to 1924, and I believe it to be mostly original -
but with one small exception.

I will argue here that this is Australia's first Australian-made power lawn mower - the little Lark,
Parkes 14" reel mower that was designed and made on these shores - using an Australian
designed engine and chassis (with imported engine ancillaries).

[Linked Image]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ODK History sincerely thanks Mark J of Illawarra, NSW, for saving this most rare machine,
finding it when he visited the local Tip Recovery Centre. He recognised something ... different.

TO BE CONTINUED ...