Stitchers (Malvern, Victoria): Catriona Devlin, Mary Moran, Angela O’Brien, Ursula Nihill, Doreen Carolan, Kerry MacNamara, Judy Hosfal, Patrician Brain.
The shipping firm of McIlwraith McEacharn was founded in London in 1875 by Andrew McIlwraith (Ayr) and Malcolm McEacharn (Islay), who won a contract in 1867 to carry immigrants to Australia. So began the ‘Scottish Line’, a fleet of eleven ships which later expanded into inter-colonial shipping. McEacharn migrated in 1879, settling in Melbourne to run the Australian side of the business. While living in Melbourne he became Lord Mayor and, later a member of the first Parliament of Australia. Their firm was the first to ship frozen meat and butter from Australia to the UK on the SS Strathleven in 1880.
AU08 Buidheann loingeis MhicIlleRiabhaich MhicEachairn
Chaidh buidheann loingeis MhicIlleRiabhaich MhicEachairn a stèidheachadh ann an Lunnainn ann an 1875 le Anndra MacIlleRiabhaich (Inbhir Àir) agus Calum MacEachairn (Ìle) a choisinn cunnradh ann an 1867 airson in-imrichean a ghiùlain gu Astràilia. Sin mar a thòisich an ‘Loidhne Albannach’, cabhlach de aon shoitheach deug a leudaich às dèidh sin gu loingeas eadar-cholòinianach. Rinn MacEachairn imrich ann an 1879, a’ socrachadh ann am Meall Bùirn airson an taobh Astràilianach den ghnìomhachas a ruith. Fhad ‘s a bha e a’ còmhnaidh ann am Meall Bùirn, fhuair e dreuchd Iarla Baile agus às dèidh sin ball den chiad Phàrlamaid ann an Astràilia. B’ e a’ bhuidheann aca a’ chiad bhuidheann a ghiùlain feòil agus ìm reòthte bho Astràilia don Rìoghachd Aonaichte air an SS Strathleven ann an 1880.