A digital copy of a hand written letter confirming the arrival date of guests to Marysville House, the tariff for staying at Marysville House, and the mode of transport available to Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter confirming the arrival date of guests to Marysville House, the tariff for staying at Marysville House, and the mode of transport available to Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, mr v. marett

A digital copy of a hand written letter from Mrs Dickinson to Mr V. Marett regarding accommodation and the cost of a stay at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter from Mrs Dickinson to Mr V. Marett regarding accommodation and the cost of a stay at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, mr v. marett

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation for five people at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation for five people at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, e. dyer

A digital copy of a hand written letter apologising for the cancellation of a visit and enquiring if another visit can be arranged at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter apologising for the cancellation of a visit and enquiring if another visit can be arranged at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, l. rowley

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, jean aitken

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, dorothy newcombe

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, mr v. marett

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, miss florence jones

A digital copy of a hand written letter confirming the time of arrival of guests to Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter confirming the time of arrival of guests to Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter, l. rowley

A digital copy of a hand written letter thanking Mrs Dickinson for an unknown gift she sent after a couple stayed at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter thanking Mrs Dickinson for an unknown gift she sent after a couple stayed at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, letter

Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signHelp Prevent Bushfiresbushfire, forest signs, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs

These boots were manufactured by Oliver Stevens in Ballarat to the Forests Commission's own specification. Safety boots were a bit "hit and miss" back in 1981. As well as the steel toe caps these boots had a screwed, glued and stitched Sherpa-pattern rubber nitrile sole. The sole was oil resistant and didn't melt on hot coals. The yellow heels signified safety boots. There were two styles with different leather and staff were all personally fitted and given their choice of style. The only thing that has fundamentally changed over 40 years is there is much more choice and comfort in boots today. These boots proved to be the catalyst for boot manufacturers realising there was a market outside of the armed forces not being served. Ankle injuries along with elastic sided boots were virtually eliminated by these boots. The iconic Tasmanian company, Blundstone, had a work boot called "Forester" at the time. It had won an Australian Design Award and had a bonded Sherpa sole. Unfortunately, the soles tended to separate from the boot under field test conditions. Eventually they perfected the process Oliver Stevens' main issue was not being able to recruit enough workers to meet the increased demand. Info: Trevor Brown.First safety boots issued to Victorian forest firefightersYellow Back safety boots with leather laces. FCV marked on the heel fire fighting, bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), protective clothing

An accommodation voucher which was offered to guests by Kerami Guest House for stays at the guest house or the adjoining cottages from June 2005 until July 2006.An accommodation voucher which was offered to guests by Kerami Guest House for stays at the guest house or the adjoining cottages from June 2005 until July 2006.marysville, victoria, australia, kerami guest house, amberview cottages, accommodation, voucher, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A recipe for corn cakes which was typed onto a sheet of Kerami Guest House stationary. Kerami Guest House was situated in Marysville.A recipe for corn cakes which was typed onto a sheet of Kerami Guest House stationary. Kerami Guest House was situated in Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, kerami guest house, accommodation, corn cakes recipe, 2009 black saturday bushfires

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

A digital copy of a sepia photograph of Arthur Dickinson aged 6. Arthur built Marysville House in the late 1920s and they ran it as a guest house. 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 sepia and white photograph of Arthur Dickinson aged 6. Arthur built and owned Marysville House along with his wife Grace.marysville, 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

A digital copy of a sepia photograph of Eilleen Dickinson Spooner, the sister of Arthur Dickinson, who build Marysville House in the late 1920s.A digital copy of a sepia photograph of Eilleen Dickinson Spooner, the sister of Arthur Dickinson, who build Marysville House in the late 1920s.Eilleen Dickinson/ Spoonermarysville, 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

A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the Dickinson Family from Marysville.A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the Dickinson Family from Marysville.marysville, 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

An advertisement for Marysville House near Marysville which was taken from a Broadbent's accommodation guide. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.An advertisement for Marysville House near Marysville which was taken from a Broadbent's accommodation guide. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, advertisement, accommodation, broadbent's accommodation guide

A digital copy of a black and white postcard of Marysville House that was produced by the Rose Stereograph Company as a souvenir of Marysville.A digital copy of a black and white postcard of Marysville House that was produced by the Rose Stereograph Company as a souvenir of Marysville.THE ROSE SERIES P. 2297/ COPYRIGHT POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe A Real Photograph/ Produced in Australia Published by the Rose Stereograph Co./ Armadale, Victoria. Dear Mum + Dad,/ I am coming home/ on Wednesday. I/ don't know what/ bus yet. I am coming/ home under sufference./ I know you (illegible)/ miss me an awful/ lot. (illegible) is/ sick she has/ diary. Mum I (illegible)marysville, 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, rose stereograph company, rose series, p. 2297, postcard, souvenir

A digital copy of an advertisement for Marysville House near Marysville. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of an advertisement for Marysville House near Marysville. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, advertisement

A digital copy of a black and white photograph of a group of people staying at Marysville House taken on Christmas Day in 1947. Marysville House was build in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a black and white photograph of a group of people staying at Marysville House taken on Christmas Day in 1947. Marysville House was build in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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

A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the swimming pool at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the swimming pool at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, swimming pool

A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the swimming pool at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a black and white photograph of the swimming pool at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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, swimming pool

A digital copy of a colour panoramic photograph of Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a colour panoramic photograph of Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, 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

Wycliffe translates the Bible for people around the world. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p171 The peace and beauty of Australia’s Wycliffe Centre reflects what it aims to bring to thousands of people around the world. Kangaroos calmly feed, accompanied by bird song, near the mud-brick buildings set amongst Kangaroo Ground’s rolling hills. On 11 hectares off Graham Road, the centre aims to transform people’s lives by giving groups around the world, with no written language, help with literacy and Bible translation into their own tongue. Associate Director, Harley Beck, says reading the Bible (probably history’s most influential collection of books), in one’s own language, provides a strong moral basis, helping people withstand exploitation and escape poverty. One of Wycliffe’s field partners, SIL (formerly Summer Institute of Linguistics) Papua New Guinea, has won two UNESCO awards, and SIL branches in many other countries have won international and national awards. The translators are modern heroes. They undertake hardships, forsaking for years, sometimes decades, a salary and the soft western lifestyle, to face loneliness and primitive conditions that most of us would not even contemplate. No staff is paid a salary. An example is the first Australian Director and former International President, David Cummings, who for 50 years has depended on donations from supporters and churches. Students of all ages at the EQUIP Training School on the site come from all walks of life. They train in linguistics and learn how to communicate in a way that is sensitive to other cultures. Spiritual resilience is encouraged, enabling people to persist until the job in the field is done, which takes on average ten to 15 years. Courses range from a few weeks to a year. The Wycliffe concept was born in the 1920s when American missionary, Cameron Townsend, found a Spanish Bible was inadequate to evangelise the Cakchiquel people of Guatemala. When a Cakchiquel man challenged: ‘If your God is so great, why doesn’t he speak my language?’ Townsend decided to translate the Bible into all languages! He founded a linguistics training school in 1934, naming it after 14th century theologian John Wycliffe, the first to translate the Bible into English. The first Wycliffe Bible was completed in 1951 in the Mexican San Miguel Mixtec language. In May 2007 after 30 years of work, Wycliffe Australia, with other organisations, completed the first Bible for indigenous people in the Kriol* language, for about 30,000 people in northern Australia. Wycliffe Australia began in 1954 in the Keswick Bookshop basement, Collins Street, Melbourne. As the organisation grew, its quarters became so cramped that Director Cummings at times interviewed potential recruits in his car! The development of the Kangaroo Ground property is a story of faith and generosity. In 1967 Cummings proposed moving to a larger property despite having no funds. Within a month Wycliffe received a $20,000 donation and a gift of land towards a national centre. An earlier owner of the Kangaroo Ground property, Mrs Elsie Graham, would have been delighted, as she had wanted her land to be used for ‘God’s service’. Mud-brick architect and Christian, Alistair Knox, offered to design the centre at no charge. Despite a drought, straw was donated to make bricks. Many volunteers helped with the building, including church youth groups who made mud-bricks. Volunteers planted thousands of native plants, watered by recycled water from the site’s dam. Building began in 1968 and in 1983 the South Pacific SIL School (now EQUIP Training) followed. Wycliffe, the world’s largest linguistic organisation, and other organisations, have translated the Scriptures into more than 2000 languages. But another 2000 languages still lack any portion of the Bible. However translations are now completed more quickly, because of new computer programs and as education spreads, more speakers of the local language can assist. Despite the growth of secularisation, Beck says support for Wycliffe Australia, which has offices in all states and the ACT, is stronger than ever. * Kriol is a Pidgin language, which has become a speech community’s prime language.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, graham road, kangaroo ground, wycliffe centre

A quarry was transformed into the Blue Lake. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species. The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841.But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well. Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia. The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, blue lake, plenty gorge park

Stuchbery Farm was situated on the Plenty River bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. Alan and Ada Stutchbery moved to the valley in 1890, first living in a tent where four children were born. Alfred built a home and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden and developed a dairy. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species. The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841. But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well. Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia. The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, ada stuchbery, alan stuchbery, dairy, stuchbery farm, farm buildings, yarrambat, plenty gorge park

Brigade Magazine is issued to members of the Victorian CFA. The Spring edition of 2016 includes an article to acknowledge 21 years of service by the Falls Creek CFA. The article was written by Joy Nowakowski on behalf of the Falls Creek CFA with information provided by the Falls Creek Historical Society. Falls Creek Fire Brigade protects Falls Creek Village from fires throughout the year and supports other brigades to fight bushfires nearby and further away. In 2016 the brigade had 23 year-round volunteers. At a celebratory function at Falls Creek in June 2016, alpine pumper and brigade snowmobiles were on display. Falls Creek’s alpine pumper was the first of its kind in Australia. It had a pumping capacity of 4,000 litres a minute and its tracks enabled it to access areas of the village and ski fields. Until 2016 Falls Creek Village has been threatened by two major fires, the worst being in 2003 when CFA crews saved the village and the adjoining ski field infrastructure right at the boundaries. Snow making equipment was used to create a water/fog barrier that helped stop the fires from taking the village. The team that saved the village was considered heroic Support for fighting fires at Falls Creek dates back to 1956 but this support came from Mount Beauty, 30 kilometres down the mountain. Falls Creek locals were concerned by this, so used six available hydrants and a canvas hose to fight any fires on the mountain. In 1964 the SECV gave the village a trailer which could be used with both wheels and skis for summer and winter operations. But this trailer only lasted two years. In the early 1970s, the village was given a 2,000-gallon Ford Blitz 4WD truck, and additional equipment was quickly acquired by the village including a new locally-constructed trailer with a pumper unit. In the 1990s, a change in land status meant the Falls Creek area became the responsibility of CFA. This status was formalised in 1995 by a public meeting that formed Falls Creek Fire Brigade.This magazine is significant because it contains an article celebrating 21 years of Falls Creek CFA.A publication for CFA members which includes stories about recent incidents, brigades, training, events, community safety, health and safety and general CFA news. falls creek cfa, alpine firefighting, falls creek cfa 21 years