A photograph of workers outside Coombe and Faragher blacksmiths and wheelwrights in Drouin.
The photograph of the shoeing forge and timber yard, established by John Coombe and Peter Faragher in late 1879, is not dated.
The business first advertised in the Warragul Guardian in October 1879, alerting locals that the duo had started in business together.
The premises were opposite the gatehouse on O'Keefe's side of the railway. At this time, there were no street names. Instead, businesses often gave a landmark to indicate where they could be found.
O'Keefe was the owner of the Royal Hotel and the track south passed over the railway line near where the railway underpass now stands.
John Coombe was born in Ararat in 1858. At the age of 15, John went to New Zealand where he learnt the blacksmith trade from his uncle George. He stayed there until returning to Australia around 1876.
Peter Faragher was born in Derrimut in 1857. His father died when he was only 10-years-old and his mother the following year.
Peter had five younger siblings. Although it is not known what happened to the children, they did have at least two uncles living in the area.
The Coombe and Faragher partnership continued until around 1888 when the business was sold.
James and Peter were also family, as Peter married Eliza Coombe in 1884. It's believed that Eliza had come to visit her brother John and his family.
John stayed in Drouin until 1894, when he moved his wife and five children to New Zealand. They had another three children in New Zealand.
After the death of his wife, John returned to Australia in 1901 and started a blacksmith business in Warburton.
Peter stayed in Drouin and started a new timber yard and undertaking business in 1890. It was located at the eastern end of Main St, on the corner of Princes Way and Bank Pl.
Peter and Eliza had eight children, although only five survived childhood.
Eliza had their last child on July 29, 1896 and, just days later on August 2, tragically died.
Peter continued in his new trade until the premises burnt down in 1922. Shortly after, he retired to Bairnsdale where he died in 1928. He is buried in Drouin with Eliza.