TOM Elliott was born and bred in the Mallee and was destined for a life on the land.
Hailing from a pioneering family, he was born in the doctor’s house in Sea Lake and grew up in Nandaly.
He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the local area and has witnessed many agricultural changes over the years.
He recalls a time when land was 10 shillings an acre but no one had the money to buy it, he’s witnessed a shift in agricultural machinery and technology and has seen electricity, the channel system and railway line improve the quality of living within the Mallee.
“When continuous cropping came in, that was a game changer,” Mr Elliott said.
The 91-year-old is set to share some of his insights into farming and the advances in farming practices when he opens the Mallee Machinery Field Days on Wednesday, August 3.
Mr Elliott said he’s had a “very charmed life” and looked forward to sharing how things have changed over the last nine decades.
In a bid to preserve the history of the region, Mr Elliott published his autobiography six years ago.
Entitled The way it was, the book took him around three years to complete, and was inspired by those still living in the area who encouraged him to document his recollections.
His book explores a range of topics, dating back to the late 1800s when his family first settled in the region.
His grandfather and two of his brothers travelled from Charlton to secure a block after they were released for settlement.
“The blocks were 475 acres of Mallee trees and scrub,” Mr Elliott said.
“A lot of the settlers arrived with literally only an axe and a box of matches to try and conquer this new land.”
Mr Elliott has six children, 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Farming continues to run through the Elliott genes, spanning across four generations.
As his family increased in size, so too did the family’s farming property which is still farmed today by his sons and grandson.
Mr Elliott’s first edition of his book sold out and he has since released a second edition, which he will have available to purchase at the field days, with proceeds donated to cancer research.
