State sawmill

Sawmill

The State Sawmill at Amiens was built for the purpose of cutting timber to build the government offices and the homes for returned men on settlement blocks.

State store

Store

The State Store housed many food and equipment items that the settlers required. It was unique in that the train line ran straight past one of its doors for easy unloading.

Pikedale Soldiers Settlement Co-operative Jam and Processing Co. Ltd

Cannery

Official opening of the Pikedale Soldiers Settlement Co-operative Jam and Processing Co. Ltd on Dec 11th, 1920, with FC Sheldon (Manager/Sec.) presiding. This business became famous for its “Diggers” Tomato  Soup.

Experimental farm

Experimental farm

In the state Experimental Farm grew 20 acres of fruit trees and 2 acres of grapes. Settlers were encouraged to work on the farm for 3 months to a year to learn the skills needed to tend their block of land and make a living from it.