This copy of an original photograph created in the early 1900s details the "horse and cart" era when the normal transportation of the day was, in this rural setting, exclusively by horse and cart. The importance of this particular photograph to the subjects can be seen by the formal suits worn by both subjects.The natural bush and grassed backdrop have not been "touched up". The dray behind the horses is barely visible (fog like aperture). The lad , John Cooper was 14 years old when this photograph was taken. Both were in the process of harnessing four horses to "hook up" on the dray behind them. From their attire it looks like a trip to town or "the church".This photograph of life on a rural property in the early 1900 shows the rough and hard (physically) life in rural areas before great mechanical revolution/evolution post World War II. This was a time in the Kiewa Valley when most transportation was by horse drawn carriages and transportation routes where dirt roads with potholes. The significance of a local pioneer "family" encapsulated by this photograph cannot be reproduced as effectively in any other form. This digitised scanned copy of an original photograph of four work horses is on 200gms Fujicolor (Fujifilm) Crystal Archive paper has a silver side on which the image has been printed and a matt reverse side.The darker slightly "blurred" image has had a white frame placed over it at the time of encapsulation to provide the finished photo with a frame. This method highlights and focuses the view into the photograph. It is a clever way to permit the eyes to focus into the image to give it a greater third dimensional aspect. on the reverse side hand written(in pencil) "John Cooper & Paddy Cullen (itinerant worker) on grandfathers place (opposite Nesta Drews place) (orange Grove). "Grandfather emigrated from England with Ryders""orange grove " property, early tawonga life style, john cooper, paddy cullen, harnessing working horses

Early settlers came to Dederang from Kergunyah. The main road, Dederang to Tawonga was opened about 1860 - 1864, connecting 'Crosthwaite's Gap' with 'Smith's corner'. Jim Goonan's ancestors selected land between Dederang and Tawonga in the early 1860's.A comprehensive history of the town of Dederang from the 1860's up to the 1950's. Early settlers, infrastructure, businesses, activities including sport and life style are described giving an insight into how the Kiewa Valley developed during this time.26 typed pages of the History of Dederang. Each page consists of paragraphs with a heading.dederang, jim goonan, kiewa valley