Austral Engineering Works

Ronaldson-Tippett. One Hundred Years, Official Programme and History of Ballarat for its Centenary Celebrations, 1938

Also known as Ronaldson Brothers and Tippett.

Background

In 1903 David Ronaldson established Ronaldson & Co., a machinery manufacturing company located in Creswick Road. The business involved manufacturing chaff cutters and corn crushers. During 1903 David Ronaldson took his brother, Adam Ronaldson into partnership.

Ronaldson Bros and Tippett. Courtesy University of Ballarat Historical Collection [Cat. No. 4692].

Herbert Tippett joined the Company in 1905 and it was renamed Ronaldson Brothers and Tippett Ltd. The company was manufacturing internal combustion engines and water cooled engines.

By 1927 the firm was reputed to be the largest manufacturer of engines in the Southern Hemisphere. By 1949 they had manufactured their 50,000 engine, and were sold throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and later distributed as a wider plan through the Colombo Plan.

By 1970 the company had changed hands and was lost to Ballarat.

History

SOLDIERS’ MILK FOODS FUND

‘The Ballarat N. branch gratefully acknowledges another fine contribution of £5 from the girls at Lucas’ white work factory, being the second one of the kind. From Ronaldson Bros. and Tippett’s employees they have received their fourth monthly instalment of £2 10/ ; and from Ronaldson Bros. and Tippett, £1/5/. Other contributions previously acknowledged this month bring the amount up to £27/6/ collected since January, 1916. This sum has been forwarded on to Melbourne, and will be sent through the Lady Mayoress’ Patriotic Fund, Melbourne, in connection with which all arrangements are made for prompt shipment.'

Product Range

An 18 year old Jim Morgan was promoted at Ronaldson Bros. and Tippett who built a wide size range of oil engines sold across Australia and promoted under the Austral brand. The first Ronaldson and Tippett tractor was built in 1924, but it was not until 1924 that it produced four-cylinder motors on a marketable scale. Further development occurred in 1927 with the manufacture of diesel engines.

Some specialties of Ronaldson and Co. in 1904 were the:

- Leviathan Chaffcutter (cut 5 tons of chaff per hour)

- Travelling Chaffcutter (built in sizes, with single, double, and treble baggers. Cut 40 tons per day)

- Ronaldson's Portable Oil Engine (a double cylinder engine that couldbe driven four ways, and required no expert attendance)

- Farmers' Oil Engine (for anything were cheap and effective power is required)

- Horseworks

- Hay Stackers (more effective and cheaper than any other make)

- Grain Crushers

- Hay Baling Presses

- Artesian Boring Plants

- Malt-Grading Machinery (all classes)

Exhibitions

In 1904 the company advertised an unbeaten record at Agricultural Shows.

Image: Courtesy University of Ballarat Historical Collection [Cat. No. 1248].

In 1924 Ronaldson-Tippett was asked to exhibit at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembly. The company was given one of the premier positions in the Australian Pavilion.

World War One Era

HAND GRENADE EXHIBITION.

Ballarat Made Bombs.

An exhibition of hand grenade throwing and the use of explosives, in warfare afforded instruction and entertainment to close upon 1000 soldiers at the Canadian rifle ranges yesterday afternoon, and it also showed realistically the destructive power of bombs in trench warfare. The exhibition was given by Lieut. Anderson, who is an enthusiast in such matters, and Bombthrowers James Harrison (well-known in Ballarat Labor circles) and Mark Dunn (son of Cr. John N. Dunn), who have recently been through a course of instruction at the departmental school in Melbourne on bomb throwing and demolition. The three recently evolved a hand grenade, easy and cheap of manufacture, simple to charge and manipulate and handy for use on active service. The grenades exhibited were just hollow spheres of cast iron made at Mes srs. Ronaldson Bros, and Tippett's foundry, and cast with a quantity of metal fillings in them. The explosive is put in, a fuse with detonator attach ed is inserted, and the deadly weapon is ready for use. The grenade is about the size of a match cricket ball and weighs, fully charged about 11/4lb. It can be thrown accurately from 30 to 40 yards from a standing position (no room to get a run up in a trench), and the length of fuse determines, of course the period of the occurrence of the explosion, One of the bombs was exploded in a trench on Monday with very satisfactory results, and it was estimated that in an average trench some 40 casualties would have been caused Yesterday, unfortunately, it was not considered advisable to operate in a trench, but two bombs were lighted and thrown by Lieut. Anderson in the open. Judging by the concussion experienced 250 yards away, and from the holes made in the ground (the most force is upward and outward), the 'Ballarat' bomb would be an awkward customer to meet under active service conditions. It is understood that Lieut-Colonel Bolton was very pleased with the grenade, and said that thousands, of them were required in Gallipoli. The explosive experts also made four makeshift jam tin bombs yesterday, and charged them with gelignite, and a couple were lighted and thrown into a pond. The explosions each threw a big column of water into the air, and violently agitated the whole pond. The soldier spectators rushed to the banks and a dead frog, thrown out of the water, was hailed with a cry of 'The first casualty killed in action.' A land mine, similar to those used against an attacking foe, was also laid and exploded, this being a feature of the demonstration. A dense cloud of black smoke rose, and many pounds of clods were thrown, several hundred feet into the air, to fall with a curious sound of 'incessant 'plomps' over a wide area. 'I'm going home,' announced a soldier, pretending fright at the unexpected results to be achieved with explosives, and there was a call for 'Cold feet, one step forward. Lecturettes on the various items were given by the officers to add to the value of the demonstration. The grenade is to be brought under the notice of the Minister for Defence. Lieut. Anderson expects, to be leaving shortly with the corps of miners, and Grenadiers Harrison and Dunn and several others at the Ballarat camp with mining experience are also anxious to give their services in that connection. Ballarat 'Star.' [The Lieut. Anderson referred to is Mr. Sleeman Anderson, son of the Bishop of Riverina.— Ed. R.G.]

World War Two Era

During World War Two the company won major contracts to supply, pumps, filters, diesel engines, gun cradles, etc. They also made marine engines that were reportedly very quiet, making them excellent to use behind enemy lines.

In 1948 the company became a public company and shares were listed at the Melbourne Stock Exchange.

The People

Employees at Ronaldon and Tippett were known as "Ronnies Men".

Alfred G. Dale

Edward Mann, apprentice

Jim Morgan

Adam L. Ronaldson

David Ronaldson

John L. Ronaldson

John E. Skilbeck, toolmaker

Geoff Storey, apprentice turner and fitter

E.J. Tippett

Marjorie Williams

Closure

The firm closed in 1969 due to cheaper imported engines becoming available on the market.

Community Involvement

In 1972 E.J.T. Tippett funded the Ronaldson Brothers and Tippett Founders Prize at the Ballarat School of Mines.

Also See

John Trewheela Tippett

External Links

University of Melbourne Archives Catalogue

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159992227787146&set=gm.1993899497455496

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--C.K.Gervasoni 18:27, 14 August 2011 (EST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 10:14, 9 April 2019 (AEST)