All the pictures on this website have been salvaged from McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre in South Hobart, Tasmania by Resource Work Cooperative.

Without this, quite simply, all these photographs would now be in landfill – buried under tons of household garbage, building waste and mud. There are many reasons why these photographs may have ended up being discarded, adding to the story behind each photograph; and some were dropped off directly to us, in hope they would be of value to someone.

There is something quite sad about seeing photographs of people’s lives thrown away – memories and moments of time caught in a photograph discarded. Often these will be the only thing left of someone’s life. Who were they? What are their stories? What brought them to Tasmania? What lives did they live here? Were they happy?

Over the years Resource Work Cooperative has salvaged an enormous number of photographs. Some have been sold (at the Tip Shop or Collectables shop) but many have also been archived. In May 2002 Resource organized an exhibition called Welcome to AppleLand at the Carnegie Gallery, Hobart, where a wide variety of pre-1950s photographs were displayed . It was a great success. Many people found relatives in the photos and were allowed to reclaim the photographs for themselves. While even more enjoyed the fascinating insight into the lives of the people and places of Tasmania’s past.

Not all the photos will be of Tasmania but they must at least have had some connection to the Apple Isle; after all it was here in Hobart that they discarded or donated.

If you can help fill in the blanks or identify people or places please let us know… if you find your own relatives also get in touch… we hope you enjoy what we have saved from being forgotten…