g�day to odk members, my first post so please excuse if I commit any cardinal sins I�ll do my best to comply accordingly. My name is david and I�m from the home of scott and malcolm bonnar (adelaide) and for as long as I can remember I have always been fascinated and almost obsessed with fine turf and the associated equipment that maintains such. It was not uncommon to drive past any bowling club or the hallowed adelaide oval or memorial drive grass tennis courts and stop for a quick fix of my turf fettish, inspect the grass or have a quick yarn to the greenkeepers if within close vicinity. adelaide for many years had numerous mower shops that were also on my visit list for some regular turftalk with the staff and inspection of their new or used equipment on display. sadly the number of these mower shops has diminished somewhat but those that remain still are appreciated as ever before. I purchased my first brand new scott bonnar queen 30 inch mower in 1980 or 81(I�ve still got the receipt somewhere) along with a turftrac scarifier, with the intent of establishing my own part time lawn maintenance business. I recall paying $4k for the mower via lawlors turf & irrigation division(cyril green) fitted with a gx160 honda motor and given the option of hammertone green or the new rover red colour. of course I chose the former. the state manager for rover australia did try and convince me to purchase a model 65 inlieu of the queen but I was infatuated with the 16 blade icon and couldn�t be dissuaded. I recall Cyril advising me that this was the last unit manufactured in holland street prior to the eagle farm Qld. plant transfer. many years later I commenced researching the men behind the company name of scott bonnar Ltd, their workshop sites, their residences here in adelaide, the state library collection, met some of their former staff, visited grave sites and discovered this amazing odk site to further fuel my appetite for this iconic australian legend. Ironic my last work place was located just around the corner from the holland street factory and not far from the chapel street workshop site hence my photo collection of these. I wish their was a museum of sorts established here in adelaide to preserve and honour the iconic scott bonnar legacy deserved of these stoic pioneers. I�ll attempt to attach some images of some of my collections I�ve accumulated over the years. I�m so appreciative of the incomparable work comprised within this odk site and look forward to further perusal within.
It;'s really good to have someone else on here with the passion about SB's like myself. I to am situated in Adelaide so we must catch up and have a chat some time.
Am I correct in saying that you obtained that plaque off eBay some time back now ? as I'm sure I recall it being up there.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Hi BB
Thank you for your welcome note.
It really is a passion in my blood I think, strange as that
sounds but I almost feel like I’m family related to the Bonnar’s such is the connection. I know Malcolm’s grandson, Brendon Faxton Bonnar relocated to the US
some years ago and was meant to be returning to Adelaide for a brief visit but I haven’t been able to ascertain when. Would love to meet and greet him for
a very rare insight to this enigmatic family.
Yes I did purchase the brass plaque of the Queen City
mower plate a couple of years ago. I recall asking for the attached mower or it’s whereabouts to the gentleman but he didn’t appreciate my humour.
Would love to meet you some time convenient for
what I anticipate a rather lengthy chat on our mutual interests.
Kindest Regards
David Gage
Thank you CyberJack for your welcome and for the
reference to the amazing posts within this compelling site of information. I sincerely appreciate the amount of your time and commitment revealed by your awesome posts I have read so far.
David
