Historical information

This is one of a set of six photographs taken for the Victorian Railways Magazine, a pamphlet produced for Victorian Railways. t 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
The man in the photograph is Pat Donchi, a member of the Donchi family, who have been involved in the sleeper - cutting industry since the 1890s.

Significance

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 Timber sleepers were superceded by concrete sleepers in c. 1970s.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

Physical description

A black / white photograph of a sleeper cutter at work swinging a broad axe.

Inscriptions & markings

on back - Pr 8765