Historical information

At the time of the photo, likely the late 1980s, the shop was a butcher operated by the Stephens family. In earlier years, the family had lived in the house featured in the photograph. Prior to the Stephens family, the business was owned by the Coupers. The butcher shop was the site of the original abattoir supplying Emerald and surrounding districts.

The reason why Bill Stephens ceased business was he liked to spread sawdust on the floor of the shop. When health regulations deemed this practice not sanitary, the family decided to close the business.

The 274 Massey Ferguson utility tractor model depicted in the photograph was produced between 1982-1987 which helps to contextualise the record. The 274 Massey Ferguson tractor had a four cylinder Perkins diesel engine that produced 59 horsepower. The tractor's price was $23,000 in 1987, which, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia, is around $63,067 as of 2022.

Utility tractors date back to the 19th century. Since then, they have evolved to accommodate a variety of attachments and implements, which have helped them earn the "do-everything" badge. Utility tractors can be used across diverse industries including lawn care, landscaping, farming, snow removal, dirt removal, livestock maintenance, and more.

Significance

The photograph holds historic significance for several reasons. The shop and its adjacent dwelling were the site of the original abattoir servicing Emerald and surrounding district. The shop operated as a butcher for many years. Furthermore, the architectural style of the depicted residence and its building materials may denote the era of the cottage. The historic significance is further emphasised by the presence of the 274 Massey Ferguson tractor, as well as the method of heating in the dwelling implied by the presence of the chimneys.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photograph printed on gloss paper. The photograph depicts the rear of a weatherboard cottage with a corrugated steel roof and 2 chimneys. Over the door is an awning, possibly wooden. Beside the awning is a tall tree fern. To the right of the cottage is the rear of a shop. Some weatherboards on the cottage have been repaired. The background shows a large pine tree, while the foreground shows a large gravel area on which is a fairly modern tractor with a driver in situ.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:

274 MASSEY FERGUSON /