THE AUSTRALIAN ARK – Federation to the Modern Era | 1900–1982
aspirations, healthy outdoor living, and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Almost every aspect of Australian life changed, as new technologies became a part of daily life. Steam trains were gradually displaced by diesel engines, and international travel, previously dominated by shipping lines, was being overhauled by jet air transport. But things moved at a slower pace in the countryside. In most vineyards, vines were still tended by hand and ploughed by horse and, increasingly, small tractors. For example, Kay Brothers purchased an Allis Chalmers tractor in the late 1940s. According to Alice Kay, it had a petrol starter tank and kerosene main tank, but it was replaced during the 1950s by the more stable David Brown Cropmaster tractor. This reduced the need for Clydesdale horses, and by the end of the decade, only Clyde, the draught horse, remained. But McLaren Vale was making headway in the post-war market in Australia. Edwards & Chaffey, now under the sole ownership of Ben Chaffey, was selling 50,000 gallons of red wine to Melbourne alone in the early 1950s, while Seaview was initially best known for its white burgundy and riesling wines. Seaview wines were the first to be winery-bottled in McLaren Vale. Ben Chaffey recalled that ‘it was quite a technical chore, I can tell you!’ By 1954, success at wine shows and increasing demand enabled larger botting facilities. Adjacent land was acquired and, with government assistance, Edwards & Chaffey contour-planted new vineyards with red varieties cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, and malbec, and white varieties riesling, sauvignon blanc, and palomino. Ben Chaffey noted that, during his years as a winemaker, ‘The biggest change was in the public acceptance of wine as an adjunct to dining, and more than just something you take frivolously’. But in 1970, Ben Chaffey, as the sole owner of the business, sold out to Allied Vintners in a 51%/49% partnership between Allied Breweries UK and Tooths Brewery of Sydney. This foreshadowed other takeovers and mergers that would occur during the 1970s, including the acquisition of Wynn’s. The wine industry began to adapt to a more open-minded and progressive society. After 1949, the White Australia policy, which gave preference to immigrants from the United Kingdom, was slowly dismantled in response to labour shortages and the need for a greater population base. The anti-Asian immigration policies, motivated by ingrained racism and working-class protectionism, were also gradually coming to a close. But it would take nearly another 25 years, with the introduction of the 1973 Racial Discrimination Act under the Whitlam government, to pave the way towards a fairer and more equitable society. During this time, the German and Croatian communities, long-term contributors to the success of Australia, started to thrive again without wartime restrictions and internments. Although women had worked in factories and wineries during the war, there was a backlash from male workers, many of whom saw the presence of women in the cellars as a threat to their jobs. According to Mr CR O’Connor of the Liquor
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