Comparing the struggles over the last century

Just  now I feel this need to give the young folk some insight into the past, and to not lose hope with their savings, and ability to get their own home. 

This post will show that it has not always been cream and honey!  Somehow there seems to be an illusion that the older folk have lots of security and assets, as though it just happened in the olden days because things were so cheap. Assets do increase in value over many years usually due the population increase, and inflation, not necessarily due to spending heaps of money.

Yes, it is true that I have lived through hard times, but not with the same struggles as some other families. Thanks to having a large supportive family, a Dad that believed all problems were meant to be solved, and who were always willing to offer some help to each other, more in the way of bartering. Cash was not an option when it was in short supply. 

Don't be fooled because things were cheap; at the same time wages were very low, and essential items were not easy to access.

Housing and land always seems to come into the News when interest rates change, families get restless and start moving north/south looking for a better opportunity by way of jobs and promotions. 

These photos may give you some  insight into what I recall over time, having heard the older generation now deceased, who survived two wars, two depressions, and lived through horse and sulky times, witnessed the first motor car manufactured, managed without electricity/power and town water, built make-shift huts to live in, camped in tents while searching for work, managed to survive and prosper. This generation are now benefiting from their perseverance and hard work.

 

1. 1870/1920 Bullock teams working at Cania Goldfields.	2. 1989/1912  Boiler Monal Mine	3. Early 1902 - 64 horses (3 teams) pulling a boiler over Gentle Annie, Monal Mine (boiler in photo 2)
4. Monal mine homes	5. Early 1900 A familly hut at the River in the Monal Creek area	6. 1907 Many Peaks Mine
7. 1907 Many Peaks township	8. 1907 - Many Peaks Shops	9. 1932 - Cracow gold rush
10. 1938 - Photo courtesy of Cracow Museum - foreground is the Cracow Hospital.	11.1948 Our family home at Kalpowar
1927 - It took 10 years to phase out horses as a mode of transport.  The Dicky Seat was popular in the 1930's.	1917/27 Golembil to Barramoon Railway Tunnels was constructed.  Since the closure of the railway line in the 1960's it has become a rail trail for visitors.