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Playing in the Backyard

Children in billycart. Inscription on back of photo reads: [sic] "a pair of jibbing colts" - Cobar NSW

The backyard, with paling fence, tree and grass, provides the setting for the pretend play of these four children and their dog. The small group is arranged around the billycart, the focus of the play, as they pause to pose for the camera.

The two young boys act as harnessed horses, (as suggested by the title) pulling the billycart with the girl passenger sitting and holding the reigns, while another girl watches, perhaps waiting for her turn.
Meanwhile, the dog acts out a parallel story, with its lead attached to a wooden train.

With smiles and gaze directed towards the viewer, the group demand we become engaged in their play and the fun they are having, as evidenced by their smiles.

Traditional gender roles are evident here: the boys are constructed as the strong and active agents in this narrative process (albeit somewhat self-consciously!), while the girls as passive passengers are the goal of their coltish efforts.

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