Falling trees
Being hit by a falling tree was a major cause of death in the South Gippsland region in the early days. Many a land clearer lost his life by being struck by a branch or tree. The first person to be buried in the Leongatha Cemetery was Dennis Maher who was working on the construction of the Great Southern Railway when he was killed by a falling tree while he slept in a tent near the present railway station. People were even killed when a buggy was unluckily hit by a falling tree as it moved along the road.
The photographs below illustrate the dangers involved in tree felling
Note the man on a spring board near the top of the tree. He is taking the top off the tree before moving further down and cutting the tree in sections. This was a dangerous occupation but many men did it.