Historical information

Greystones station was originally part of the Glenmore run, established in 1840 by Charles Griffith. Originally a run of 55,00 acres, Glenmore was subdivided in the 1870s to form the Greystones property, owned and managed by Molesworth Greene, the nephew of Charles Griffith. The property had 11,000 sheep and was renowned for its high quality wool. In November 2023, the property of 4033 hectares was sold to overseas investors. The wool industry was a major industry in the development of the Australian economy from pre-colonial times. It gave rise to the saying that Australia 'rode on the sheep's back.'

Physical description

Small black and white 'carte de visite' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. One of a set of photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District taken in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll.
The photo shows a group of sixteen men standing or kneeling outside a large shearing shed at Greystones, Rowsley. Behind them are two mounted men, probably overseers or managers. The standing group includes a man with a fiddle and one with a concertina. The cook, wearing a white apron and hat can also be identified. Six men have hand-held shears, three in poses of shearing a sheep.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed
On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME.
On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun.
Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE.
Handwritten in biro along the top: Shearers at Greystones.