A fascinating bit of Aussie History

Backwater Post Office, near Guyra - New South Wales. These images symbolize how change impacts on communities in the natural cycle of business evolution, regeneration and decline.

The Watercolour was painted by Miss Thelma Duffton sometime before World War 2 and the more recent picture by Bob Neville, depicts the Backwater Post Office (near Guyra NSW) which operated from 1938 until the early 1950’s

Like seed in the ground, micro-business ideas sprout and grow around current needs and opportunity, which can be short-lived or even last for generations, provided the need still exists and a process of regeneration ensures that the business keeps up with constant change. The natural science behind this process is based on timeless principles which are as current today as they ever were in the past. In fact, in a world which has largely lost understanding of these principles and of the holistic, economy-sustaining value of the spending of individuals, families and very small business, their need for understanding and application is even greater than ever.

Historic Record:

Constructed by H.B. Strange, the building served as the Backwater Post Office from 1938 to 1957. Mr and Mrs Strange and family ran the Post Office from 1938 to 1955. Mail sorted at the Post Office served Paddy's Gully, Mt Mitchell, Lode Hill, Oban and Backwater. An earlier Post Office was in a private residence.

The Backwater area was developed by mining, graziers and small farmers by the early 1900s. The Backwater correspondent writing for the Guyra Argus noted in March 1926 that a rapid change was taking place in agriculture in the district. The dairying industry was ‘gradually giving away to that of sheep, and it appears that the cow will be almost extinct’. The climate and type of country favoured sheep over cows.

Apart from the Post Office and Church, the Backwater village also had a store, butcher and a cricket team. The original church fell down but the small rural timber church still survives and is located just north of the former Post Office. The Oban Small Country Automatic Exchange replaced the Backwater Post Office on 10 December 1974.

The Backwater School was a provisional school from September 1889 to December 1890; January 193 to November 1957 and a public school from November 1957 to December 1967. It was Oban until January 1900. The school building was shifted to Bald Blair.

Not far from this location, I found some fascinating natural granite rock formations. These are just a few of them.

Sheeps Head Rock

Grub Rock

Dinasaur Feasting Rock

Feeding the Gorilla

The Region is known as the Northern Tablelands, on the edge of the Great Dividing Range. It is a very popular tourist Region with beautiful scenery and small communities. I have to admit, I have a special liking for the small community of Deepwater, especially the fabulous Bakery. We are heading to the region soon to capture the beautiful Autumn changes - here is just a few examples from a previous trip.

When we return from our Autumn visit to the New England Region later in May, I will post a number of Photo Stories from the region, including that of my favourite Bakery at a little place called Deepwater.

Thank you for reading this Post. I hope you enjoyed the history lesson and the Autumn pictorial. Please share and be sure to Subscribe of you have not yet joined me in the “Tub of Inspiration.