Historical information

This photograph shows a small timber house in Wooragee.

In 1855, the Ovens district made a shift towards farming development that included the sales of land in the Wooragee Valley. This shift came because of miner's demands and concern about stabilising the area around the goldfield. Continual migration needed to be supported, unlucky diggers needed alternative employment, and there was a lack of affordable fresh produce available on the goldfields. Initially, the cost of land in areas like Wooragee was prohibitive, and miners chose to squat rather than overpay for poor land.

Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, land reform was a key topic for miners and politicians, as they attempted to improve land access and protect financial interests. This photograph is an example of rural development in the Wooragee area, showing the cottage, tents, and garden beds. While the date is unknown, the image nevertheless links us to the 1850s-1860s story of rural development in Indigo Shire.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photo, copy of original, printed on paper.