Manufactured in the 1960s, this mobile emergency telephone exchange was fitted into a caravan. Part of the Shepparton Division State Disaster Plan, the caravan could be towed to areas affected by disasters to enable communications to recommence. The caravan remained in service until approximately 1974.Mobile infrastructure plays an important role in Australian communications, owing to the often remote and hostile environments in which Australians live and work. Exchanges such as this facilitated phone calls in the aftermath of an emergency, particularly for hospitals, police and other emergency services. Today, Mobile Exchange on Wheels (MEOWs), Cell on Wheels (CoW) and Satellite Cell on Wheels (SatCOW) - which provide temporary landline and broadband services, mobile phone coverage and service in areas without communications infrastructure respectively - are a critical part of emergency response procedures for natural disasters such as fire and flood. Though technology has progressed, the need for rapid service in remote areas remains a present concern of the communications service providers in Australia. This mobile service infrastructure is historically significant as an early example of a service which has evolved over decades, yet is still needed today. The exchange, as a representative example of a vehicle which would provide early-response in a disaster, is socially significant as a facilitator of critical communications needs in devastated communities: access to emergency services and contact with family and friends. The exchange itself, intact from its period of use, provides an insight into technology of the 1970s.Mobile emergency exchange housed in a caravan trailer on 2 wheel base, duralin body, steel tow bar, Caravan divided into 3 sections; the exchange room; the relay room and the main frame room. The exchange room contains 3 switchboards, a folding table, cupboards, benches and switch rack (.1). table (.2), steel bar for attaching the table (.3), back boards of switchboards (.4-.6), switches (.7-.16), box of switches (.17). There is a wall phone magneto, 300 type handset on wall and 2 skylights with wire screens. .11? hat pegs and shelf; there are 2 fluorescent tubes for lighting, all in exchange section. The floor is covered with 2 tone grey tiles and there are wire mesh on outside of windows and a geometric curtain inside behind switch rack. There is a flywire screen door as well as exterior door. The relay room has a sectioned door so half can open at a time. Room contains a cupboard with folding bench top beneath a curtained window. The opposite wall has a bank of batteries and transmission condensers; there is a shelf above window, one fluorescent tube and fuse boxes. Tiles on floor also. The main frame room contains many metres of coiled black covered cable, a black covered magneto wall telephone with 300 type handset; grey plastic jumper cords, a rack of termination points and wire with wasp nests attached. There is a small iron step under door, a fluorescent tube on wall and 3 hat hooks. Roll of Paper Handtowels (.18), cord and handle (.19), red exchange cords and plugs (.20-.22), plastic aluminium runners (.23,.24), headset (.25,.26), logbook (.27), battery readings (.28), box containing papers circuit drawings etc (.29-.93), paper lists off wall (.94,.95). Books, record books etc (.96-.103). Manila folder (.104) containing circuit drawings (105-.124). Wooden drawer (.125), metal drawer containing subscribers master cards, record of faults cards, particular switchboards connected, Junction line cards (.126). Box of valves (.127), box of clamps (.128). Box of 2000 type rack fuses, red 1 1/2 AMPS, black 3 AMP, blue 1/2 AMP (.129). Box of sleeves for covering wire joints (.130), plastic beakers (.131,.132), soap (.133), box of white plastic squares (.134), time switch "Venner BF/43 time switch" Made in England (.135), box of bolts, knobs etc (.136), box of switchboard number indicators (.137), fuse (.138), fuse wire (.139), football card (.140). Box of cartridge fuse 6 AMP (.141). Envelope of drawing pins, rubber bands (.142), black plastic, paper tape centres (.143-.152), metal plug (.153), 2 signs "Beware of vehicles" (.154-.155). Paper listing Naringal East automatic conversion (.156). Green Commonwealth of Australia note pad (.157). Wiring plug for tail lights (.158). Black fuse plugs (.159,.160). Box of bolts (.161). 2 sections of blue plastic coated wires (.162,.163). Gloves used for working on batteries (.164-.167). Wasp nests (.168,.169). White fuse (.170). Photographs of van in use (.171,.172)..1 on front: "ANOTHER / MOBILETRAIL / PRODUCT" "MAX SPEED / 25MPH" "TRAILER BRAKES / --- / " On sides: "EMERGENCY TELEPHONE EXCHANGE" "NO 1" "PMG" "TCQ / GROSS 250 / TARE 182 / LOAD 162" "6" "COUNTRY BRANCH / NORTH REGION / [SHEPPARTON DIVISION]" "LAW'S SIGNS" "Telecom Australia" On back: "DANGER / LONG LOAD" "MQA 3787" .133: "FIR OIL" "AUSTRALIA"mobile telephone exchanges, mobile telecommunications trailers, trailers, transport, natural disaster, black saturday, bushfires, floods, emergency communications

A newspaper article regarding the selling of The Crossways Historic Inn in Marysville. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its c-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters. A newspaper article regarding the selling of The Crossways Historic Inn in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, newspaper article

Contents: • Next meeting, Slide Presentation by Anne Paul; The Lower Plenty River; It’s history and heritage • May Meeting • May Heritage Walk • Black Saturday Bushfires • Black Friday 1851 • Eltham England Contacts • Office Bearers 2009-10 • Harry Gilham, Society President 1993-2009 • Subscriptions • Other News The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Battista Borsa was from Bellinzona in Ticino, Switzerland. He named his house on the corner of Main road and Seventh St in Hepburn Springs "Bellinzona". His daughters ran the house as a guest house in 1900. This house was burnt down in the 1906 Bushfire. it was rebuilt in Edwardian tradition, and was again burnt down and rebuilt on a much larger footprint. A weatherboard house in the Main Road of Hepburn Springs, run by the Misses Borsa. borsa, bellinzona, boarding house, hepburn springs

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesHose reel holder winder for canvas hoses Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.FCVforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesHose reel holder with two 1&1/2 inch and one 2&1/2 inch canvas hosesforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesFigure 8 hose reel holder winder for canvas hoses Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.FCVforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesHose pressure testing kit. Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.FCVforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesTools used to clamp canvas hose for testing. Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.FCVforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesWicker basket used on the end of suction hose to stop debris entering the pump forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesTools used undo brass coupling on canvas hose Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.FCVforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesHolders to carry canvas hose rolls Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesUsed to repair canvas hose A rubber patch is placed over the hole in the hose and clamped. It is then heated electrically to melt the rubber patch Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesUsed to attach couplers to canvas hose The tool is held in a large clamp and stretches the coupler onto the hose. A tension bar is used to control leverage Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.Warren Brownforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesRega hose keyREGAforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

A colour photograph taken at The Crossways in Marysville on 22nd December, 2001. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters. A colour photograph taken at The Crossways in Marysville on 22nd December, 2001.No.6./ OUR CABIN - CROSSWAYS/ 22 - 12 - 2001marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, photograph

A colour photograph of the interior of The Crossways in Marysville during a wedding in March 1999. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.A colour photograph of the interior of The Crossways in Marysville during a wedding in March 1999.wedding at Crossways/ March 1999/ Geoff & Sharyn Dimechmarysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, photograph

A black and white photograph of the Lingard Family of Marysville's "Crossways" restaurant. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.A black and white photograph of the Lingard Family of Marysville's "Crossways" restaurant.Part 2 of/ Series Photographer: Colleen Myer/ 185 Maroondah Highway/ Healesville. MINE HOSTS The Lingard Family/ of Marysville's "Crossways"/ restaurant From left: Colin Lawrey (Chef, partner/ and "one of the family", Elizabeth, James/ Jean and David Lingard - with/ "Casey" the donkey, and the Lingards'/ niece Kathy.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, photograph, lingard family, colin lawrey

An information flyer regarding the Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.An information flyer regarding the Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, information flyer, crossways historic country inn

An information flyer regarding the Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.An information flyer regarding the Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, information flyer, crossways historic country inn

An information flyer regarding Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.An information flyer regarding Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, information flyer, crossways historic country inn

An information flyer regarding Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.An information flyer regarding Crossways Historic Country Inn in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, information flyer, crossways historic country inn

A digital copy of a black and white photograph of The Crossways in Marysville circa 1948. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.A digital copy of a black and white photograph of The Crossways in Marysville circa 1948.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, crossways historic country inn, photograph

A digital copy of a black and white photograph taken of The Crossways Cabaret in Marysville. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.A digital copy of a black and white photograph taken of The Crossways Cabaret in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, crossways historic country inn, photograph

A digital copy of a colour photograph taken in the interior of The Crossways in Marysville. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its co-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters.A digital copy of a colour photograph taken in the interior of The Crossways in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, the crossways cabaret, the crossways, crossways, crossways country inn, crossways historic inn, 2009 black saturday bushfires, accommodation, crossways historic country inn, photograph

A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the Dickinson Family taken in 1917. Arthur Dickinson built Marysville House in the late 1920s and ran it as a guest house along with his wife Grace. Marysville House was the only guest house in Marysville to have survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. It is now the private residence of Peter and Linda Dickinson.A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the Dickinson Family taken in 1917.Dad Mum/ Arthur 19 yrs/ Eileen 17 yrs/ Elsie 4 yrs?/ 1917marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, photograph

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Radio without handsetSTC - Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd 3AL - Neerim Southbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Radio with handsetTait 163FM on metal box plus serial number Tait T196 miniphone on radio unit plus serial number Includes Dick Smith handsetbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Radio with handsetSTC - Standard Telephones and Cables Ltdbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Radio with transceiver and handsetbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)