Maize has been grown on the Orbost flats for at least 70 years. When early settlers began to arrive on the Snowy River somewhere in the 1880s, the land was mostly swamps and heavily timbered jungle on the river frontages. The swamps were drained, bit by bit, with short handled shovels working in mud and water. The frontages were cleared by axe and shovel and fire. Several kinds of crops were experimented with such as hops, hemp and maize which grew particularly well and became the main crop of district. The problem then was to thresh and deliver the product to the market. A small single cob machine was brought here and one man turned the handle, while the boy or Mum fed the cobs singly into the machine. A good day’s work would thresh about 50 bushels or about 12 bags (4 bushels). The task then was to cart the maize to market. For a few years this was done by horses and dray carrying about 60 bushels to Mossiface, where it was loaded onto river boats to Lakes Entrance, and then by ocean boats to Melbourne. (information from NEWSLETTER OCTOBER, 2006)The growing of maize in the Orbost district contributed significantly to the economy of the township for many years, The many maize cribs once seen on the surrounding farms have now disappeared and this photograph is a pictorial record of that significance.A small sepia photograph with six men in front of a wooden barn. They are bagging maize. In the foreground are two rows of filled bags. On the right is a lifting machine to take the bags to the top storey. On the far right is a water tank on a stand"on back - "Thrashing Maize"maize-orbost agriculture-maize industry

When early settlers began to arrive on the Snowy River somewhere in the 1880s, the land was mostly swamps and heavily timbered jungle on the river frontages. The swamps were drained bit by bit using hand tools. The frontages were cleared by axe and shovel and fire. Several kinds of crops were experimented with such as hops, hemp and maize. Maize grew particularly well and became the main crop of the district. (info. from October 2006 ODHS Newsletter) The Argus was a morning daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia that was established in 1846 and closed in 1957. It was considered to be the general Australian newspaper of record for this period.Maize-growing has been an important agricultural industry in the Orbost district since early settlement. This item is associated with that history.A typed letter sent to a local maize farmer requesting information on maize growing. The letter has the "Argus" letter head. The name of the recipient is unknown.maize agriculture-orbost correspondence-argus

This book records the minutes of th Orbost Maize Growers' Association from December 10 1926. Meetings appear to have been held monthly.This item is an example of the hand - written records of an early Orbost agricultural association. It is associated with the large maize growing industry in the Orbost region 1880s - 1950s.A black covered exercise book containing hand - written minutes for the Orbost Maize Growers' Association.orbost maize agriculture orbost-maize-growers-association

Newspaper found inside frame backing dated Tues, Nov,12 1918. Harry French was a well known architect in Bairnsdale for over 40 years. Harry French of Bairnsdale was A. J. Macdonald's supervising architect for Bairnsdale Court House built in 1893.This drawing is significant for its connection to the Brodribb family. The architect, Harry French, was a well-known Bairnsdale architect. Maize has been a major crop in the Orbost district since the late 19th century.Graphic illustration of Mr H Brodribb's maize shelter to half inch scale. In glass with wooden frame.H French A-R-V-I-A- Bairnsdale 6-8-1918drawing civil-engineering drafting rural-industry agriculture maize brodribb

A hand-operated maize planted used in the maize industry, possibly used prior tothe introduction of larger horse-drawn planters which could plant two rows at a time. Associated with the large maize growing industry in the Orbost region 1880s - 1950s.A metal and wooden maize planter, a square seed reservoir, wooden handle on the top, a swing door at the bottom which is manouvered by two wires connected to the door.maize-corn-planter agricultural-implement

This was used by Frank Warren at Bete Bolong / Newmerella. The Warren Brothers had a farm on the Bete Bolong road at Newmerella. They grew beans, peas, maize and pumpkins for export to Melbourne (by train) until the 1970's.This item is significant because it was specially made agricultural produce in the Orbost district, a major industry in the first half of the 20th century.A metal stencil for use on bean or maize bags. It is rectangular with rounded corners, Cut out is "F.W. WARREN ORBOST"agriculture farming warren stencil

This small hand-held tool was used in the maize industry in Murrungowar (Orbost District) during 1900-1960s. Prior to machine harvesting coming about in the 1960s, each cob of maize had to picked by hand using this tool. Maize growing was a huge industry in the Orbost district and the job of picking the maize involved hand labour by many employees. This small hand-tool would have been common, but is now rare. This particular tool was owned and used by Nelson Northrope (Orbost) in the early 20th Century and used at Murrungowar by Frances Eilman (nee Somerville). A highly significant small hand tool associated with the maize industry. This item is rare. A small hand-held metal and leather tool. A metal 'knife' has a curved shape and is attached to 2 leather straps which are connected by a small buckle. maize growing, agriculture, orbost district