Historical information

Museum records indicate that this image is believed to date from the 1990s. State Government elections were held in Victoria in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2002. The township of Emerald sits in the Monbulk State Government electorate, which was held by Labor in 1988 and the Liberal Party in 1992, 1996 and 2002.

It is probable that the man in the centre of the group pictured in the photograph is Steve McArthur, the successful Liberal Party candidate and Member of Parliament for the Monbulk electorate in the 1992, 1996 and 2002 elections. The photograph appears to depict an event at which Mr McArthur visited local businesses, in this case the Shell Service Station, to canvass for votes during his election campaign.

There is still a Shell Service Station in Emerald, located at 336-338 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, though it is now part of the Coles Express network.

Significance

This image is significant because it provides insights into the equipment available at and layout of service stations at the time the photograph was taken, which is speculated to be the late 1980s or early 1990s. The image also provides insights into State Government election campaign tactics as it appears to show a media photo opportunity supporting a local Liberal Party candidate.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image shows three men standing in front of a petrol bowser at a Shell Service Station. Two of the men are shaking hands, all are looking at the camera. One of the men is wearing a ribbon indicating that he is a Liberal party candidate; he and one other man are holding papers on which the words 'Liberal Victoria' is visible. The third man is wearing a jumper with what appears to be an embroidered Shell logo and may be a staff member at the business.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
Stradbroke Mild /
D & Y KINDLING /
KEROSENE /
PUSH /
Stradbroke Mild /
D SUPER /
2 /
RA SUPERSHELL /
LIBERAL VICTORIA /