IS IT possible for us to put ourselves in the place of our pioneers and imagine surviving for a day or a week, let alone for years, as they did?
Reality TV shows portray men and women supposedly fighting the elements. What a joke!
No matter the hardships they face, their time is limited, and they know they can call a halt and go back to civilisation anytime.
Not so our pioneers.
Imagine travelling to your new home by horse, maybe with a cart, possibly with babies, and when you arrive there is absolutely nothing. You even have to select the site to settle.
Our early pioneers had little. If they were lucky, they would have a cow and perhaps been able to sleep under the cart until shelter was built.
We look at Milbanks Cottage today and see how primitive it is compared to our homes.
The cottage would have taken a good while to construct, but would have been a palace to the family.
Despite that, it would have been cold in winter and burning hot in a Queensland summer, especially as the fire was essential for cooking, and would burn 24/7.
No such thing as a stove – an open fire with an iron tripod to hang the pans.
Many of our pioneers built their homes close to rivers or creeks to limit carrying water. That worked until the first flood. Then they had to begin again, further from the creek. This time, they did have to haul the water.
We take our communications for granted.
We call the doctor or the emergency services, and they rush to our aid.
One thing they did have was help from neighbours when needed.
To all our pioneers, we salute you.
