Tatura Showgrounds, supply base for the internment Camps in the Tatura Group, 1940.Black and white photo of a row of army trucks, railway sleepers in foreground.army trucks, railway sleepers, supply base for camps, internment camps victoria

Used to drill railway sleepers in the early 20th Century.'Jigger" - an antique steel large two piece drill used to drill railway sleepers around the early 20th Century. The 50cm drill piece can be detached and replaced and it has a handle with a knob on top to turn the drill. The drill is attached by a bolt and screw.steel, metal, tool, drills

Metal railway sleeper spike used in Bendigo.railway spike, sleeper spike

These bolts have no known history but may have been used for attachment to railway sleepers or parts of a ship or used in roofing.These bolts are of interest only as antiquarian objects showing the types of nails or bolts used in a previous time. They may be useful for display.These are two large nails or bolts made of iron with a square knob on the top. There is some oxidisation and both bolts are slightly bent out of shape.bolts, nails

Building was residence of State School teacher from 1890's. Typical of Education Department residence for teacher. During 1990's cladding and window frames were altered.Colour photograph of a timber dwelling with high pitched gable roof. Gablet ventilator in centre of roof. Narrow front veranda. Pretty garden beds enclosed with railway sleepers. Situated at 14 Bulmer Street, Lakes Entrance Victoriahouses, fences, heritage study

Plaque with metal railway bridge bolt and 2 metal railway line spikes.Spikes have lip on top to hold rail lines down with chisel shaped ends to by driven into sleepers. Metal bolt used to hold railway sleepers to bridgesNo markings on spikes or bolt. Plaque brass plate engraved-: BURMA RAILWAY BRIDGE BOLT & RAILWAY SPIKES Recovered 1987 By Ex P.O.W V.X. 30397 BILL TOON Approximatly 7,000 Australians Lost Their Lives Building This Railway Line 1942-1945.

Designed in 2004 by sculptor Peter Lambert the memorial honours more than 35,000 Australians held prisoner of war during the Boer War, both world wars and the Korean War.Landscape featuring the Ballarat Prisoner of War Memorial. The memorial includes a 130 metre long wall of highly polished granite engraved with the names of all Australian prisoners of war. The paving stones at the centre of the path are cut in the shape of railway sleepers to symbolise the prisoners' journey. prisoner of war, ballarat priosner of war memorial, war memorial

Second copy 18 x 25 cm, purchased from Win Burnett 1992Black and white photograph of activities in front of Harbeck's Store. Long telegraph poles are lying in foreground, stacked railway sleepers behind them, eight horse team harnessed to log wagon in front of general store, grain store and residence. Two smaller wagons, horses and men in image. Lakes Entrance Victoriaretail trade, township, animals, clothing, room display

2x metal spikes used to secure plates on railway tracks to sleepers

Spikes Railway and part of sleeper reputed from Burma Railwayephemera, ww2, general

Victorian Railways Workmens Sleepers This style of wagon was introduced from 1910 http://www.victorianrailways.net/service%20stock/service%20stock%20pages/w/w.htmlDigital TIFF file Scan of 120 format 6x9 [no brand identification] black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, w-21, wagon, workmens sleeper wagon

Dog spikes used with fish plates to secure railway line to the sleepers.trades, blacksmithing, transport, railway

Date made December 2011|This bridge is one of the few remaining of the several constructed on the Bairnsdale to Orbost railway line from 1913 to 1915.|Also eight photographs similar views, four taken of the top, four from below the bridgeColour photograph showing different views if the timber railway trestle bridge at Wairewa. Railway line and sleepers have been removed, structure appears to be reasonably intact. Nowa Nowa Victoriabridges, historic site, transport

This memorial designed by Peter Blizzard is dedicated to more than 36,000 Australian men and women were held captive as prisoners by the enemy during the Boer War, World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War. This memorial honours and names them, the names are etched into the black granite wall adjacent to the pathway. Water springs from beneath the 'Lest We Forget' stone then flows down the wall into the narrow watercourse in front of the first group of names and into the reflective pool, then continues past the second group of names. Finally it disappears under the pathway, returning to its source under the 'Lest We Forget' stone to start the journey again. Water symbolizes the essential nature of man, sacrifice, suffering, spirituality, healing, cleansing, birth and re-birth. The memorial is created from natural materials and is designed to be in harmony with the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and to create a sense of timeless, dignity and respect. The long pathway of the monument is designed to create a visual perspective of the large distances that Australians travelled to the various conflicts. The paving is shaped like railway sleepers in recognition of the role that railways and railway journeys were relevant to many prisoners of war. The Memorial was declared the first military memorial of national significance located outside Canberra in 2008. Dedication services are held at the memorial on the Sunday closest to 6th of February, ANZAC day and on Remembrance Day. The memorial is of historical and aesthetic importance to the people of BallaratMonument made from carved bluestone, water feature and flagsInscribed with the names of 36,000 Australian men and women were held captive as prisoners by the enemy during the Boer War, World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War. The listing is by surname and initials and shown by war.prisoners of war, boer war, world war 1, world war 2, korean war, lest we forget, peter blizzard

Date made 12 November 1994.Colour photograph of members of Lakes Entrance and Traralgon Historical Societies standing on the railway line at the site of the previous Colquhoun Railway siding. Rails and sleepers still intact and rock screenings supporting sleepers and rails. East Gippsland Victoriatransport, railway, history groups

Metal branding hammers were the most common way to control the sale and movement of hardwood timber produce like logs, railway sleepers, fence posts, and poles from Victorian State forests. Royalty was also paid on this basis. The hammer has a crown stamp on one end with a unique number in the middle (453) which identified its owner, and a crows foot or broad arrow on the other. The broad arrow was a symbol traditionally used in Britain and its colonies to mark government property. Forest regulations state that an authorised officer may use the crown mark to identify produce which has been sold and may be removed from the forest, whereas the broad arrow can be used to brand and mark trees which are not to be felled, or to indicate forest produce which has been seized. Hammers were traditionally only ever issued to forest officers and were an important, and closely guarded tool-of-trade. They were not transferred between staff and lending hammers was not permitted. But it was an onerous task for staff to hammer and tally hundreds of logs, or thousands of fence posts each week, so in about 1990 a system was introduced whereby hammers were allocated to logging contractors to grade logs and tally them instead. But there was still spot checking by authorised officers. A register was kept, and contractors paid a substantial deposit to make sure they didn't lose them, but they occasionally turn up by fossickers with metal detectors. While branding hammers are still used in some smaller locations, plastic tags and barcodes are now more common.Metal log branding hammer with a crown stamp on one end with a unique number (453) in the middle which identified its owner, and a crows foot or broad arrow on the other. The unusual bent metal handle was designed to protect user from banging their fingers on the log. It was also fitted with a rubber hand grip. Most FCV branding hammers were issued with wooden handles. The branding hammer 453 was initially issued to Wally Cowell at Beechworth. It was reissued to Jim Browning upon Wally’s retirement The hammer still had a wooden handle, but the it broke and became loose inside hammer head. Russel Pritchard from the Beechworth Depot replaced the handle with a new metal one and put a dog leg in it It mainly branded forest produce cut in Mt. Pilot and Reedy Creek areas. The main logging contractors were Gordon Habeck from Chiltern and Steven Goldsworthy from BeechworthCrown mark one end (453) and Crows foot other endforest harvesting, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Metal branding hammers were the most common way to control the sale and movement of hardwood timber produce like logs, railway sleepers, fence posts, and poles from Victorian State forests. Royalty was also paid on this basis. Hammers most commonly had a crown stamp on one end with a unique number in the middle which identified its owner, and a crows foot or broad arrow on the other. The broad arrow was a symbol traditionally used in Britain and its colonies to mark government property. Other local configurations were used by sawmillers, post cutters and pulpwood contactors. Forest regulations state that an authorised officer may use the crown mark to identify produce which has been sold and may be removed from the forest, whereas the broad arrow can be used to brand and mark trees which are not to be felled, or to indicate forest produce which has been seized. Hammers were traditionally only ever issued to forest officers and were an important, and closely guarded tool-of-trade. They were not transferred between staff and lending hammers was not permitted. But it was an onerous task for staff to hammer and tally hundreds of logs, or thousands of fence posts each week, so in about 1990 a system was introduced whereby hammers were allocated to logging contractors to grade logs and tally them instead. But there was still spot checking by authorised officers. A register was kept, and contractors paid a substantial deposit to make sure they didn't lose them, but they occasionally turn up by fossickers with metal detectors. While branding hammers are still used in some smaller locations, plastic tags and barcodes are now more common.Log Grading hammersforests commission victoria (fcv), hand tools, forest harvesting

The five types of nails include a stamped steel nail made for wooden flooring; four copper nails used for boat building found at various locations on the island; two steel nails removed from the lantern room door during restoration in 2002 which possibly came with the Chance Bros. lantern room kit delivered in 1862; three galvanised steel nails used to pin the railway track to sleepers and decking on the jetty (the rail track carried a small trolley for unloading stores from supply ships); and a square copper nail found on the rocky shore on Tullaberga Island close to the location of the Monumental City wreck of 1853. The huge American steamer, Monumental City, was wrecked on 15 May 1853. Built in 1850, the ship was the first screw-propulsion steamer to cross the Pacific and was heading back to Sydney after dropping off Californians heading for the Victorian goldfields. Thirty-seven lives were lost, including the owner of the ship, Peter Strobel. A medal was awarded by Sydney residents to Charles Plummer who swam ashore with a line from the wreck. The tragedy renewed the urgency for a lighthouse on Gabo Island, and in 1862 when this was achieved an obelisk was erected as a memorial to those who perished. That year, Victorian PWD architect and designer of the lightstation buildings, Charles Maplestone, gave the following instructions: ‘You may remove the remains of the poor unfortunate shipwrecked of the Monumental City to the site on Gabo you propose but take scrupulous care to collect all the remains and inter them decently under the monument. Pray save any relics’.246 Heritage Victoria has 39 artefacts listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act (S473) with a clear provenance to the Monumental City. While the copper nail has no documented provenance, it still has contributory significance as part of a diverse assemblage of relics that help to interpret the history of the Gabo Island Lightstation and the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in its vicinity since the mid nineteenth century..1 Steel nail - flat. Stamped. This type of nail was used for secret nailing of flooring. Source of this nail is unknown. .2 Copper nails. This type of nail was used for boat building. Found at various locations around island. .3 Steel nails. Extracted from lantern room door during restoration 2002. .4 Galvanised steel nails. Used to pin railway track to timber sleepers and decking on jetty. Rail track carried a small trolley used during the unloading of stores from supply ships. .5. Copper nail square. This nail was found on the rocky shore line on Tullaberga Island close to the location of the wreck of the "Monumental City" wrecked May 1853. Nail found in June 2000.

'"ARTHUR EDMUND TRANTER" Enlisted on 20/11/1939 Regt No. V50166 in the CMF, posted to 2nd Training Bn Balcombe. Discharged from the CMF 16/12/1940 with the rank of Sergeant in 2/7 Training Battalion. Enlisted in the 2nd AIF 17/12/1940 Regt No. VX52843 in 2/29th Battalion at Darnley Camp, embarked for Singapore 13.9.1941, disembarked 5.10.1941, reported missing 16.2.1942 then classified POW. He was recovered in Sumatra after the surrender. He was hospitalised with Malnutrition then classed Debility. Disembarked Sydney 9.10.1945. Discharged from the 2nd AIF on 20/12/1945 with the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded a Mention in Despatches and the Efficiency Medal.Soft cover book. Cover - cardboard, white colour background, brown and black colour print on front, spine and back. Front cover illustration - sepia colour, half portrait of "A.E. Tranter". Back cover illustration - colour photograph two wreaths with railway line and sleepers. 168 pages, cut, plain white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs and maps. Attached after page 168 is one A4 sheet of paper, erratum of "Additional Research" information.publications, book, biography, ww2, arthur edmunt tranter

Rodd's was established by George & Ernest Rodd in Melbourne in 1919.They were manufacturers and wholesalers of precious metal jewellery. Later they began to manufacture high quality silver plated cutlery under the brand name “Rodd”. They then expanded into holloware when they took over Platers Pty. Ltd. who produced a very high quality range of silver plated Sheffield Reproduction Silverware, under the brand name “Hecworth”. Rodd’s established a large factory at 150 Barkly St., St. Kilda, Melbourne. During WW2 with a staff some 200, the factory produced ordnance components to help with the war effort. Rodd’s established sales offices in the main city centres of all States. The company prospered. In December, 1960, Rodd [Australia] Ltd. was merged with Mytton’s Ltd., Melbourne, and became part of the newly formed company Mytton Rodd [Australia] Ltd. Mytton’s were also producers of silver plated cutlery under the brand name “Grosvenor” and were strong competitors to the Rodd brand of cutlery Australia wide. It was a friendly take over and the Directors of Rodd [Aust.] Ltd. were appointed to the board of Mytton Rodd [Aust.] Ltd., and some to the Holding Company Mytton’s Ltd. Mytton’s were heavy manufacturing engineers producing a large range of stainless steel products including: kitchen sinks of various design, beer barrels [9 and 18 gallon kegs] for the breweries, milk vats for cooling and storing milk on dairy farms, a large range of dairy and industrial vessels, road transport tanks, LPG tanks, low pressure pre-mix vessels for the soft drink industry. They also produced a range of domestic bathes, steel railway sleepers, using their 3000 ton hydraulic presses. Mytton’s also had their own non ferrous foundry and rolling mill which produced nickel silver sheet used in the manufacturer of their silver plated cutlery. They also produced copper sheet for their own and industrial use. Mytton’s had factories in York St., South Melbourne and Port Melbourne. Rodd [Aust.] Ltd. set up a manufacturing, distribution plant in Auckland, New Zealand, circa 1960. This company began producing precious metal jewellery in a rented space in the premises of Matthey Garret Ltd., Bullion Merchants, in Drake St., Auckland. Later they moved into their own building in Sale St., Auckland. The company prospered and purchased land and built a factory at 121 Apirana Ave. Glen Innes, Auckland, circa 1964. ( B. McCulloch Rodd Pty Ltd)A butter knife with stainless steel blade and bone handle c1930on blade; RODD / STAINLESScutlery, stainless steel, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, rodd aust ltd, mytton rodd pty ltd, aukland, port melbourne

The Trustees of the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial have defined a Prisoner of War to be a person who was captured by a common enemy and/or interned in a neutral or non-combatant country. To be defined an Australian Prisoner of War, the person needs to be either an Australian Born person serving in the Uniform of an Australian Service; or in the Uniform of a friendly country, or Born Elsewhere and serving in the Uniform of an Australian Service. A Prisoner is a person who has lost personal privileges, suffers deprivation of liberty or is unable to return home or dies in captivity.Colour photograph of a War Memorial designed by Peter Blizzard. The granite wall of the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial features a listing the names of Australian Prisoners and was opened on the 6th February 2004 by General Peter Cosgrove AM MC to recognise and remember over 36,000 Australians who became Prisoners of War during the Wars of the 20th Century. In 2008 the Memorial became the First Military Memorial of National Significance outside Canberra. The Memorial which was designed by Peter Blizzard OAM, symbolises that all Australian prisoners embarked on a journey to serve away from their homeland and acknowledges the hardship, deprivation, brutality, starvation and disease endured by Prisoners of War during their capture and the scars that many continued to endure upon their repatriation to Australia. Heritage Victoria describes the memorial in the following way" "A JOURNEY OF HONOUR, REMEMBRANCE AND HEALING - The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial is a dramatic and highly symbolic tribute to the sacrifice made by more than 35,000 young Australian service men and women in four theatres of war. At the heart of the monument is a stark, 130 metre long, highly polished black granite wall, engraved with the names of all Australian prisoners of war. The names on this 'honour roll' are listed in historical order from the Boer War in 1899, through to the Korean War in 1953. It is a testament to the contribution made by so many. Standing sentinel at the centre of the Memorial are six huge basalt obelisks, etched with the names of all the countries where Australians were held prisoner of war. The obelisks stand in a large reflective pool, set back from the central pathway, symbolising the distance that separated Australia's prisoners of war from their homes and their loved ones. Opposite the pool is a larger obelisk flanked by flagpoles and a ceremonial stone on which to lay wreaths. The central pathway is itself symbolic, with each of the paving stones cut in the shape of a railway sleeper. The pathway defines 'the journey' taken by the prisoners of war and the journey visitors take around the monument. At the end of the granite wall where the pathway ends, visitors face a large stone engraved simply 'Lest We Forget'. Water flows from beneath the stone, along the base of the granite wall and into the reflection pool in which the obelisks stand. This cycle of flowing water, symbolising spirituality, healing, cleansing, birth and rebirth, guides visitors on their journey through the Memorial." ballarat, ballarat botanical gardens, peter blizzard, ballarat north gardens, war memorial, prisoner of war, prisoners of war

DESCRIPTIONColour photograph of a War Memorial designed by Peter Blizzard. The granite wall of the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial features a listing the names of Australian Prisoners and was opened on the 6th February 2004 by General Peter Cosgrove AM MC to recognise and remember over 36,000 Australians who became Prisoners of War during the Wars of the 20th Century. In 2008 the Memorial became the First Military Memorial of National Significance outside Canberra. The Memorial which was designed by Peter Blizzard OAM, symbolises that all Australian prisoners embarked on a journey to serve away from their homeland and acknowledges the hardship, deprivation, brutality, starvation and disease endured by Prisoners of War during their capture and the scars that many continued to endure upon their repatriation to Australia. Heritage Victoria describes the memorial in the following way" "A JOURNEY OF HONOUR, REMEMBRANCE AND HEALING - The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial is a dramatic and highly symbolic tribute to the sacrifice made by more than 35,000 young Australian service men and women in four theatres of war. At the heart of the monument is a stark, 130 metre long, highly polished black granite wall, engraved with the names of all Australian prisoners of war. The names on this 'honour roll' are listed in historical order from the Boer War in 1899, through to the Korean War in 1953. It is a testament to the contribution made by so many. Standing sentinel at the centre of the Memorial are six huge basalt obelisks, etched with the names of all the countries where Australians were held prisoner of war. The obelisks stand in a large reflective pool, set back from the central pathway, symbolising the distance that separated Australia's prisoners of war from their homes and their loved ones. Opposite the pool is a larger obelisk flanked by flagpoles and a ceremonial stone on which to lay wreaths. The central pathway is itself symbolic, with each of the paving stones cut in the shape of a railway sleeper. The pathway defines 'the journey' taken by the prisoners of war and the journey visitors take around the monument. At the end of the granite wall where the pathway ends, visitors face a large stone engraved simply 'Lest We Forget'. Water flows from beneath the stone, along the base of the granite wall and into the reflection pool in which the obelisks stand. This cycle of flowing water, symbolising spirituality, healing, cleansing, birth and rebirth, guides visitors on their journey through the Memorial."australian ex-prisoner of war memorial, peter blizzard, prisoner of war, ballarat north gardens

DESCRIPTIONColour photograph of a War Memorial designed by Peter Blizzard. The granite wall of the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial features a listing the names of Australian Prisoners and was opened on the 6th February 2004 by General Peter Cosgrove AM MC to recognise and remember over 36,000 Australians who became Prisoners of War during the Wars of the 20th Century. In 2008 the Memorial became the First Military Memorial of National Significance outside Canberra. The Memorial which was designed by Peter Blizzard OAM, symbolises that all Australian prisoners embarked on a journey to serve away from their homeland and acknowledges the hardship, deprivation, brutality, starvation and disease endured by Prisoners of War during their capture and the scars that many continued to endure upon their repatriation to Australia. Heritage Victoria describes the memorial in the following way" "A JOURNEY OF HONOUR, REMEMBRANCE AND HEALING - The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial is a dramatic and highly symbolic tribute to the sacrifice made by more than 35,000 young Australian service men and women in four theatres of war. At the heart of the monument is a stark, 130 metre long, highly polished black granite wall, engraved with the names of all Australian prisoners of war. The names on this 'honour roll' are listed in historical order from the Boer War in 1899, through to the Korean War in 1953. It is a testament to the contribution made by so many. Standing sentinel at the centre of the Memorial are six huge basalt obelisks, etched with the names of all the countries where Australians were held prisoner of war. The obelisks stand in a large reflective pool, set back from the central pathway, symbolising the distance that separated Australia's prisoners of war from their homes and their loved ones. Opposite the pool is a larger obelisk flanked by flagpoles and a ceremonial stone on which to lay wreaths. The central pathway is itself symbolic, with each of the paving stones cut in the shape of a railway sleeper. The pathway defines 'the journey' taken by the prisoners of war and the journey visitors take around the monument. At the end of the granite wall where the pathway ends, visitors face a large stone engraved simply 'Lest We Forget'. Water flows from beneath the stone, along the base of the granite wall and into the reflection pool in which the obelisks stand. This cycle of flowing water, symbolising spirituality, healing, cleansing, birth and rebirth, guides visitors on their journey through the Memorial."australian ex-prisoner of war memorial, prisoner of war, ballarat north gardens, peter blizzard

This pamphlet was produced by Victorian Railways. In 1976 the name Victorian Railways was replaced by Vicrail.Railways have played a key role in Victorian transport especially in linking regional towns to the cities. The railways have provided jobs for many Orbost people. This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A pamphlet produced for Victorian Railways. On the front is a coloured photograph of a train. It contains photographs and an article about Orbost as "Timber Country" and a detailed article titled, " Cutting Sleepers is a Family Business" which tells about the Donchi family.pamphlet-victorian-railways sleeper-cutting donchi

Discussed in book : Echuca: A centenary history by Susan Priestley, pp.21, 38, 45, 66, 114-123, 126, 174 R.J.Evans established this mill on the banks of the Murray River, Echuca in 1923 & it operated until 1980. The mill later became a tourist attraction, Red Gum Works, continuing to cut timber until it was taken over by The Port of Echuca as a display (Port of Echuca booklet, 2005 ed., p. 32)Sawmilling was a very important industry for Echuca. At its peak in Echuca in about 1877 there were between 1000-1500 men employed in the industry (Priestley, Susan. 1965, p.118). Red gum was sourced from the forests along the Murray river. It is a very strong timber suitable for bridge & wharf building, construction works as well as housing and especially for sleepers for the railways. Mills relied on government contracts especially for the sleepers. Colour photograph (post-card size) of red gum sawmill on the Port of Echcua. Photograph is taken looking north.Printed on reverse: "this paper manufactured by Kodak."echuca, port of echuca, sawmilling, evans, r. j., red gum works

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo rail yard, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, w-311, wagon, workmens sleeper wagon

The Ballarat Technology Park is on the Federation University Mount Helen CampusMap showing the Ballarat Technlogy Camp, Greenhill Enterprise Centre, Canadian Wetlands. hand-made brick culvert sleepers, Ballarat-Buninyong Railway Line, IBM Global Services, early wooden bridge, Canadian Creek, Gear Avenue. ballarat technology park, canadian wetlands, greenhill enterprise centre, brick cultert, railway, ballarat-buninyong railway

This spike is designed for the purpose of securing wooden planks, beams, or railroad ties to create sturdy and durable bridges.This spike was used to secure wooden railway sleepers on the railways created for the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.15cm steel bolt-like with a square shaft. Sharp at one end and enlarged steel head at the other end.railway sleeper spike, spike, bridge spike

This photograph, one of set of six, shows Ken Donchi, the youngest family member (at the time of photograph) at work as a sleeper cutter in the Orbost area since the 1890s. The photograph was used in an article for the Victorian Railways Magazine 1975. . It contains photographs and an article about Orbost as "Timber Country" and a detailed article titled, " Cutting Sleepers is a Family Business" which tells about the Donchi family.This item is associated with the timber and sleeper-cutting industry in the Orbost Region. Timber sleepers were superceded by concrete sleepers in c. 1970s. Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. .The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.A black / white photograph of Ken Donchi driving a bulldozer in bushland outside of Orbost.on back - Pr 8769donchi-pat sleeper-cutting timber-industry-orbost-railway

The Donchi family has been cutting sleepers since the 1890s in the Orbost area. This photograph , one of a set of six, was taken for an article in the Victorian railways Magazine in 1975. This was a pamphlet produced for Victorian Railways. . It contains photographs and an article about Orbost as "Timber Country" and a detailed article titled, " Cutting Sleepers is a Family Business" which tells about the Donchi family.This item is associated with the timber and sleeper-cutting industry in the Orbost Region. Timber sleepers were superceded by concrete sleepers in c. 1970s. Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years..The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.A black / white photograph of a bush scene of a timber harvesting coupe used by the Donchi family.on back - Pr 8766sleeper-cutting-orbost donchi-orbost timber-industry-orbost