Historical information

The three men in this photograph, one of a set of six), are all from the Donchi family who have been involved in sleeper - cutting since the 1890s. From left to right they are Brian, Ken and Alan Donchi. The photograph was taken for an article in the Victorian Railways Magazine in 1975, 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.

Significance

This photograph 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 Timber sleepers were superceded by concrete sleepers in c. 1970s.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.

Physical description

A black / white photograph of three members of the Donchi family working at sleeper - cuttingin a timber coupe in Orbost.

Inscriptions & markings

on back - Pr 8764