The Mallee

Between 1880 and 1930, a series of schemes brought thousands of settlers to Victoria's Mallee region. At the same time, a number of railway lines were constructed through the area, with towns constructed approximately every 10 miles. Now, almost a century after the settlement schemes ended and the depopulation of the Mallee began, a team of Australia's best rural documentary photographers, along with writer Adam McNicol, who grew up in the Mallee town of Manangatang, retrace the...
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Between 1880 and 1930, a series of schemes brought thousands of settlers to Victoria's Mallee region. At the same time, a number of railway lines were constructed through the area, with towns constructed approximately every 10 miles. Now, almost a century after the settlement schemes ended and the depopulation of the Mallee began, a team of Australia's best rural documentary photographers, along with writer Adam McNicol, who grew up in the Mallee town of Manangatang, retrace the railway lines to see what remains. The result is a stunning photo book, containing over 150 full colour images. 'The Mallee: A journey through north-west Victoria' is a portrait and celebration of the small communities that dot north- west Victoria and the people who call them home. The book, which has a foreword by 'Backroads' presenter Heather Ewart, captures life in the small towns of the Mallee and on the farms that surround them. One particular focus is the growing interest in the area from tourists, who in recent years have flocked to the Silo Art Trail and Lake Tyrrell, breathing new life into a region becoming famous for its brilliant sunsets and hospitable locals.