Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of it major industries. Many of the italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Wooden, panelled red (painted on outside) rectangular box on side are iron bars with steel reinforcements around the box, near the top and bottom on 4 sides and across the middle on the 2 ends and front (not back). Diagonal steel between bottom and middle iron on the front. Ends: 2 iron bars from the ground curved up to top holding an iron rectangular beam that goes from end to end. Midway of beam is a vertical long screw at the top of which is a cross formation of 4 iron rods forming a handle for turning. Inside, the screw is attached to an iron frame which is attached to a wooden panelled platform enabling it to be raised or lowered as required.tobacco. mongans bridge. kiewa valley. hand press. parmesan. rossaro. lorenzi brothers.