Nathaniel Breakey McKay was born on the gold diggings at Stawell. Soon after his birth, his parents moved to Raywood and then to Drummartin where they took up land for farming. McKay began his working life as a junior teacher with the Victorian Education Department. While stationed in the Goulburn Valley (at the time the Kelly gang was active), McKay began contributing to newspapers. After leaving teaching, he set up the Numurkah Standard. A strong supporter of irrigation, McKay’s next newspaper venture was the Mildura Cultivator which he established in 1887 at the invitation of the Chaffey brothers. McKay retained control of the newspaper until 1898 when his joined his younger brother H. V. McKay (inventor of the Sunshine Harvester) in Ballarat. McKay then combined employment in the harvester industry with journalism. He wrote particularly on industrial matters and in support of protection.
Source: ‘Death of N. B. McKay.’ Sunshine Advocate 15 Nov 1924: 5
Sighted: 10/10/2013
