Australians were very fond of protecting their outside doors with a verandah, which had many other uses. Here we have a verandah on a farmhouse in north central Victoria, c1949. It is being used by some students for a money saving haircut during their weekend visit.
A future Member of Parliament is cutting the hair of a future Maths teacher, helped by one of the girlfriends while another girlfriend sits on the cool linoleum of the floor behind the wire screen door. A good short back and sides with plenty of long stuff left on top.
In the background is one of the brothers nursing his rifle – there had probably been rabbit shooting that morning. And the tripod is out. It is flat, irrigation country so possibly some levels were to be taken that day. You can also get a glimpse of the metal plates on top of the stumps, used to protect the house from termites.
A very important verandah.
Further links to this week’s theme photo can be found at Sepia Saturday
There are a lot of interesting details in that photo. It is interesting to see what life and housing was like in Australia at that time.
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There’s a lot going on in that photos – look at the concentration on the faces of the hairdresser and his assistant. Do I see a face on whatever is hanging on the line? I hope it’s someone’s soft toy which has been washed and not the result of that morning’s rabbit shoot!
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Hopefully the Future Member of Parliament and his helper (his wife?) were good at the craft? They look like they know what they’re doing, at least. :))
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The termite protection is clever; glad I’ve never had the problem. I’m with Nell about something hanging on the line!
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Photos like this are such fun. Does the termite protection work?
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Lots happening there, as Nell says, and someone else must have been around to take the photo, which is a lovely natural view of daily life, rather than the usual smiling lineup.
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There’s so much happening in that photo. Lots to contemplate.
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Thanks for pointing out all the details that I would have missed otherwise. It’s interesting how many stories are captured in this one unassuming photo.
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Aw the good ole days, (i.e. before the electronic days)….
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Now I can see why you commented on the verandah shots in my post – not as old as yours, nor called a verandah in the USA where they were taken. There is so much subtle detail in your photo especially the anti-termite plates.
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Looks like it was a wrap-around verandah with a bullnose shape. Perfect, because there was always a protected side no matter which way the wind was blowing or the sun shining. And the screen door was essential for keeping the hordes of insects out of the house when the door was open to allow a breeze through. What a shame some of our modern architecture is disregarding the shady, wide wrap-around verandah.
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They are not joking about cutting that hair. Hope everybody was satisfied when it was done.
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The verandah was very important and useful; just like another room of the house.
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Oh that made me laugh, the one getting sheared looks not so happy and the man with the rifle to side as though to ensure it all goes along well….a priceless photo
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A super photo! I suppose the barber is using some sheep shearing technique since most haircuts don’t require an assistant to hold the customer!
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