The mower has been adapted from the 'Commando' model, and it has been embellished with the special 'aesthetic' features for the 'Golden Anniversary' commemoration. The mower can be regarded as a good contemporary example of 'adaptive manufacture', that is, where styling, technical detail, and production facilities for developing a product remained largely unchanged from the 'Commando'. However, a (new) social context provided the means to change sufficiently the 'surface appearance' of the product, so as to distinguish it from the 'Commando'. In the example of Victa's 'Golden Anniversary' lawn mower, the design and technical features of the 'Commando' model remain, with the social occasion of the 50th anniversary providing the justification for the model's name.

Another significant feature was the promotion of the lawn mower and the firm for the 50th anniversary event. VICTA have always promoted their lawn-care products heavily. Traditionally, the firm used their in-house promotion/advertising resources, however on the occasion of the 50th anniversary, the promotion was placed in the hands of Entwistle Public Relations, Sydney. The publicists insist that the firm and the mower is an "Australian icon", with (punningly) "cutting edge designs". The mower, we are told, is "innovative technology"(a patented mulch and catch cutting system), "exclusive", "the most pwerful", "ergonomically designed", has "unique features", while Mervyn Victor Richardson (1893-1972), the company's founder, was "one of Australia's great success stories". Fifty years later, the 'Golden Anniversary' mower would famously "turn grass into lawn", but there was more on offer from the firm and their publicists. Now, the purchase of a 'Golden Anniversary' VICTA lawn mower could provide an opportunity to win "a beautiful garden makeover worth $10,000, or a Sunbeam electric barbeque" (VICTA media release sheet, 'Strike Gold with Victa', September, 2002).

The letters and photographs document how Australians have collected, purchased, exchanged, used, their VICTA lawn mowers for half-a-century, and how they have 'idealised' and cherished a long-ago Australian way-of-life with a VICTA lawn mower.

Victa lawn mower, VSX 160, 2 stroke, power torgue, 50th anniversary model, No. 1 (limited edition), Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd, Moorebank, New South Wales, Australia, 2002

A lawnmower with combined mulcher and grass catcher. The mower has a folding handle with two locking levers on either side of the handle, a red throttle on same, and the familiar 'VICTA' name at the front of the rotary base. The mower is mostly coloured 'in gold paint and the words "Golden Anniversary, Mulch Catch, 2 stroke" appear on the upper rim of the rotary base. There are two other principal colours, namely, black and white. Each assembly unit has a combination of two colours. The motor and petrol tank are affixed to the rotary base. The tradename 'VICTA' is coloured black, only.

A height adjusting lever is fitted to the right rear of the machine. There are four swivel blades. The throttle and snorkel mounted air filter are located on the right-hand side of the handle. There is a chained gold-plated plaque, which is attached to the machine's handle, and it reads; "Victa 1952-2002. Commemorating 50 years of turning grass into lawn. Ltd edition No.1".

The machine is made from metal and plastic.

Other material consists of written documents and photographs that were compiled by Entwistle Public Relations, Sydney, the firm engaged by Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd, for the 50th anniversary of the firm on 20 September, 2002.

Robert Tasso, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd, has advised that there was no formal design or modelling undertaken for the 50th anniversary model lawn mower. As stated in the Significance category, the 50th model was based on the earlier 'Commando' model and it (the anniversary model) was painted 'gold' to symbolise the company's 'Golden Anniversary' (2002).


Robert Tasso, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Victa Lawncare Pty. Ltd., has informed the Museum that the mower was painted and assembled in the VICTA factory at Moorebank, Sydney. The mower's engine was made in South Australia, and the chassis and most other parts were made in Sydney. There were 5,000 'Golden Anniversary' models manufactured, as against a standard production of 50,000 mowers.

This particular lawn mower (No. 1) was produced especially as a 'commemorative' model, and hence was not used to mow grass.

Direct gift to the Museum on the ocassion of the 50th anniversary of the firm.

Gift of Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd, 2003

The company name 'VICTA' is located on the top plate and between the front wheels. The company name is embossed twice on either side of the catcher/mulcher. The engine's identification model number and the words "VICTA 50 YEARS" are to be found on top of the petrol tank. The words "Golden Anniversary, VICTA 50 Years, Mulch Catcher, 2 stroke", form an arced coloured transfer, and it is located on the top of the base plate of the mower. The accelerator/throttle

2003/157/1

2002

1110 mm

570 mm