29 Discarded

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Columboola

An old homestead, long ago left empty, still stands on a grazing property near Columboola. Once a wide veranda with a bullnose roof would have shaded the front of the house.

25 From Ancient Egypt to Miles

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Back to the Bush Festival 2021

This method of turning wood, invented by the Egyptians, was used from ancient times up until the advent of electricity.

The operator works the machine with a foot treadle

which pulls down the overhead lever,

turning the timber on the lathe. The wood turner carves the timber using a hand held chisel. Ingenious!

22 Stopped In Its Tracks

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Miles Historical Village

Despite the sign, you don’t need to take care crossing this railway line.

This vintage C17 steam locomotive has been at the village since 1979. The Dalwogan Railway Siding, originally located on the Wandoan Railway Line, was transported to the village when the line closed.

21 That’s Entertainment

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Miles Historical Village

This beautiful organ must surely have been considered a luxury item in a 19th century western Queensland home. Its entertainment value, in such a remote region, would have been priceless.

20 In The Kitchen

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Miles Historical Village

In a time when buildings were made of slabs of timber hewn from felled trees, the kitchen was always a separate structure. If a fire broke out, the kitchen might be lost but the rest of the house could be saved.

With a corrugated iron roof, dirt floor and unsealed walls, the kitchen would have been an uncomfortable place to work – boiling hot in summer and bitterly cold in winter.

When people reminisce about the “good old days” they probably don’t think about using a kitchen like this.

19 In The Dairy

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Miles Historical Village

I’ve been told my great grandfather’s milk cans, with his name printed on the labels, are included in this collection of old dairy equipment. Which cans are his? I’ll never know, because the gate on the doorway of the dairy was locked. It is nice to know a part of my ancestry is preserved here.

18 School Rules

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Miles Historical Village

The one room school building at the historical village was transported 20 kilometres from the tiny settlement of Drillham.

In 1886, it wasn’t just unruly students who were expected to obey the rules at school.

17 Longevity

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Miles Historical Village

The General Store, like all the other buildings along the main street of the village, dates from the 19th century.

The containers on the shelves inside are also vintage. They might be old fashioned and their contents long gone, but many of these brands can still be found on our modern supermarket shelves.

How many do you recognise?

16 On Main Street

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Miles Historical Village

The Main Event at the Back to the Bush Festival 2021 is underway on the arena behind the village. Before we join in, let’s take some time to explore the Historical Village.

The buildings on the main street date from the late 19th century. All are original to the Miles area and were relocated to the museum where they have been beautifully restored.

With the grocer, bakery and chemist all in a row, the shopping might be done in a flash…

leaving time for a visit to the local hotel!

4 Tradition

I’m joining Becky in her October Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Past. Look for #PastSquares. This month we’re travelling back in time in the western Queensland town of Miles and surrounds. We’ll explore the local area and join in the festivities at the Miles Back to the Bush Festival.

Dogwood Crossing@Miles

Miles may be a small town but its community spirit is strong. The local community centre DogwoodCrossing@Miles stands on the corner of Dawson and Murilla Streets, right in the middle of town. The building includes a library, IT centre, art gallery and a small museum.

A beautiful mural depicting Dogwood Creek covers the outside wall along Murilla Street. Painted using indigenous techniques and motifs, the work was in part created by local school students and tells the story of the creek from an traditional point of view.