Historical information

11 of the 13 photos were taken by Tor Holth and used in his book "Cattlemen of the High Country" first published in 1980. Co writer was Jane Holth (Barnaby). Of the other two photos, one was taken by C. Roper (2 old gentlemen of the High Plains) and the other (Fred Roper, Tom Hollonds, Kyran Marum - early cattlemen) unknown photographer. The book tells the story of the lives of the mountain cattlemen of Victoria's high country, the harsh conditions and challenges they faced when they mustered their cattle before winter to bring them down to lower pastures. Huts were built of any materials available and were scattered about the high plains to provide shelter from the elements. Some are still standing despite the many bushfires that have ravaged the area.

Significance

The photographs are of historic significance as they are of early pioneers in the cattle industry in the Kiewa Valley. The huts are of significant interest as they show different types of construction and materials as does the cattle yard at Bogong Jack's.

Physical description

All 13 photos are black and white and printed on photographic paper and are of varying size.

Inscriptions & markings

1.On the back, hand written in pencil - "Bogong Jacks hut on Fainter Spur". 2.15 in top right hand corner and 120% centre of photo and circled.
2.On the back a typewritten label cut out and fixed with sticky tape "45 b.&w. Cope Hut, known also as the Menzies of the high plains." Lower left corner is a handwritten label, written in red biro, COPE HUT (underlined) V circled and Journeys into History.
3. Top right hand corner '2.32(a) and across the back, written in pencil, 'Wallace's Hut 1976' and 'TOR HOLTH' in red biro on small sticker lower R corner.
4.2.32(c) in pencil top R corner. 'Wallaces Hut 1976' in pencil across back of photo.
5. '42.7a' in pencil top R corner. Written in pencil across back of photo 'Remains of the second Tawanga Hut.'
6. 'Jim Edmundson Mt. Beauty' handwritten in blue biro across back of photo.
7. '2.26' in pencil top R corner. 'Cattle yard at Bogong Jack's' handwritten in blue biro across back of photo.
8. 'Jim Edmondson of Edmondsons hut' written in pencil on back of photo.
9. 'Geoff Wallace Kergunyah' written in pencil on back of photo.
10.' Geoff Wallace Kergunyah' handwritten in pencil on back of photo.
11. 2.11 in pencil top R corner. 'Fred Roper & Jack Platt. Ph. C.Roper' handwritten in orange pen and under, in pencil, '2 old gentlemen of the High Plains.'
12. Written in black pen across back of photo 'Left to right Fred Roper, Tom Hollonds, Kyran Marum - early cattlemen'
13. Hand written on back of photo 'Sid Ryder'