sheepstations

A Brief History of Widgee For thousands of years, the Widgee area was home to the Kabi Kabi aboriginals of the Wide Bay region, with one tribal group, the Kaiabara, particularly associated with Widgee. Unfortunately, the advent of European settlement resulted in much friction between the local aborigines and the settlers early on, finally resulting in the local tribes being driven from the area. Their former presence is marked today by a number of bora rings and by many of the local place names. The first European settlers arrived in Widgee in the late 1840s following William Tooth and Company's successful tender for two runs in the area. Tooth and Company's Widgee Station was renowned in its early days for the quality and quantity of beasts fattened in the area, and for the exploits of the local horsemen. The tradition of horsemanship lives on today in the annual Bushman's Carnival held each May. Source: www.widgee.info/widgee_history.htm

www.flickr.com/photos/jacksonstreet/50011076277/in/datepo...

I believe that is a tin of IXL jam on the table, made by Henry Jones & Co., established Hobart 1898. Perhaps the piece of bread that Albert is slicing will soon be spread with a dollop of that tasty jam.

In 1895 the Henry Jones company purchased a building in Melbourne and commenced manufacture of jams and spreads. The building became known as The Jam Factory. IXL formed as a limited liability company in 1903. The IXL brand – 'I excel in everything I do' was Henry Jones's personal motto.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jam_Factory
www.henryjonesfoods.com.au/about-us/

The manual meat mincer on the left behind the enamel mug, would be for making rissoles from tough meat.
www.bunnings.com.au/victoria-cast-iron-manual-meat-mincer...

Behind that appears to be a packet of porridge oats, next to an old and battered Arnotts biscuit tin.

This is such a terrific image of a man living alone, quietly preparing a meal at his plane table.
The jam tin lid needs to be pushed down to keep the flies out, or put in the meat safe. On top of the biscuit tin is the tea caddy. I'm also thinking the kerosene lamp may have a reflector plate or wall hanger at the back, similar lamps do show up online. www.ebay.com.au/itm/385980994205?chn=ps&_ul=AU&no...

I had a look at Albert's military records via Ancestry, he was medically discharged from the 35th Batt. AIF in 1917, due to an old fracture of the left fore arm resulting in a deformity at the elbow and reduced arm movement, aggravated by war service. You can see his arm holding the loaf appears misshapen.
Albert had served overseas and so qualified for the British war service medals: Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
www.worldwar1luton.com/object/pip-squeak-and-wilfred-wwi-...

What a wonderful image!
Pretty sure that's a wall bracket on the kero lamp. What's in the plate - maybe a boiled potato? Wire toasting fork on the far side of the plate. Looking at the dates on Ancestry, it would appear Albert sustained the fracture as a child.

thanks for the great insights from these comments. Noticed also the toilet in the background.