Derryl Towers wrote to the editor of the Colac Herald about his concerns about the proposal for a loan to create a new municipal workshop and Shire Engineer's office in the Apollo Bay riding. He made several points: a lack of attendance at the poll could bring the matter back to the Council table again; the representative of the Regional Committee is exploring some downward adjustment in Shire contributions; 2/3 of the Shire is reserved for water catchment or timber purposes, in effect a national asset; that the Council Sub-committee's report was sound; all Councillor's agree that new buildings are a necessity; and if we spend money on the loan to renovate old buildings what happens to the proposal for new buildings? Derryl Towers, Letter to the editor. Handwritten, 4 pages, draft, quarto. shire of otway; ratepayers;

Beech Forest first entered the association prior to World War 1, playing in maroon and gold on a ground situated 200 metres north of the final ground. Little is known of the competition in those days. The Club reformed in 1921. Beech Forest changed its colours to Richmond colours and used a ground south of the township, now known as the Football Break Road in the Forest Commission pine plantation. In 1922 the site of the present ground had been purchased but it was 1929 before it was first used, and it was used every year, except 1953 when G. Bellchamber's paddock was used while major renovations were carried out on their home ground. It was in the same year, 1929, that they changed their colours yet again to the blue with white V colours, which they retained until the Club disbanded. Beech Forest won premierships in 1924 and 1940. In 1945 the Club reformed yet again to enter the Otway Association. They were successful in winning premierships in 1946, 1947, 1952 and 1953. Finally, in 1957, the Club disbanded to become part of the Otway Rovers Football Club.Beech Forest Football Club, (1) Annual Meeting and Ordinary Meeting Minutes, November 1948 - September 1952; (2) Annual Meeting and Ordinary Meeting Minutes March 1953 - April 1954, Statements of Receipts and Expenditure 1950 - 1952. 2x Exercise Book.Insert: Grounds used; Best and Fairest Players.beech forest; football; minutes;

A particular triumph for Alfred Joseph Towers was his win at the Romsey and West Bourke Agricultural Society's Annual Potato Show in 1927, taking the trophy from the best potato growers in Victoria, and from the Romsey district in particular, which at that time was famed for its potato production and quality. His father, David Towers, came second in the cup competion. Romsey and West Bourke Agricultural Society, Annual Potato Show, 14 June 1927, Second Prize, for Cup Competition, exhibited by D. Towers (Beech Forest). A.R. Wilson, President: H.M. White, Secretary.romsey; west bourke; potatoes; prize;

Beech Forest and Otway District Produce Society: (a) Second Prize, D. Towers, for Snowflake, A.W. MacKenzie, Secretary. (b) Seventh Annual Show, 1923, Second Prize, D. Towers, for Best Collection Dressed Forest Timbers, exhibit no. 2, C.J. Brammer, Hon. Secretary. (c) Twelfth Annual Show, Second Prize, D. Towers, Class B Section 2 Ex 1, Cr. J.C. Gardner JP, Pres., W.J. Gray FABI SFAI, Hon. Sec. (d) Fourteenth Annual Show, 27 May 1931, First Prize, D. Towers, Class B Sec 1, Mr J. Perry, President, W.J. Gray FABI SFAI, Hon. Sec. (e) Fourteenth Annual Show, 27 May 1931, First Prize, D. Towers, Class B Sec 2, Mr J. Perry, President, W.J. Gray FABI SFAI, Hon. Sec. (f) Fifteenth Annual Show, 25 May 1932, First Prize, D. Towers, Cup Section 5, J.A. Perry, Pres., W.J. Gray, FCI (Eng.), Hon. Sec. (g) Fifteenth Annual Show, 25 May 1932, Second Prize, D. Towers, B 1/7, J.A. Perry, Pres., W.J. Gray FCI (Eng.), Hon. Sec.beech forest; otway; produce; prize;

Cards. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, Grand Annual Exhibition: (a) 1927; First Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1289 No.5562, Henry Schwieger, Secretary. (b) 1927; Second Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Carman No 3, Class 1271 No.5437; Henry Schwieger, Secretary. (c) 1929; Third Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Carman No 1, Class 1329 No.6186; Henry Schwieger, Secretary. (d) 1930; Third Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1349 No.61217; Henry Schwieger, Manager. (e) 1931; Third Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1352 No.6456; Henry Schwieger, Manager. (f) 1932; First Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes (1 standard sack), Class 1367 No.7380; Louis Monod, Secretary. (g) 1933; Second Prize; Mrs L. Towers; Potatoes, Carman No 3, Class 1352 No.7434; Louis Monod, Secretary. (h) 1933; Second Prize; Mrs L. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1356 No.7445; Louis Monod, Secretary.the royal agricultural society of victoria; rasv; show; exhibition; potatoes;

A bite on the Beechy. Norman Houghton. Norman Houghton; Geelong (Vic); c.2011. 7 p.; refs. Paper.beech forest; colac; railways; gellibrand; wyelangta; lavers hill; crowes;

B/W. An NA-class engine pulling laden timber trucks around a curve with one man leaning out of the engine, two men standing outside at either end of the locomotive, and five men astride the trucks.beech forest; railways;

B/W. On 26 February 1902, on opening day, six men face the camera, including the Governor of Victoria. Other men and a dog at varying distances circulate around three passenger carriages on the Beech Forest line.beech forest; railways; opening;

Document. State of Victoria. 1988 Electoral Roll for the State Electoral District of Polwarth. State Electoral Province of Western (part).electoral roll; polwarth;

The Otways area of Victoria, at the time of writing, was an underused area for bushwalking. In the past, people have considered these ranges unsuited for walking because of the thick forest cover, cold and muddy conditions for much of the year, and the steep slopes. Some of the perceived difficulties are actually attractions and that it is possible to enjoy them with a forward planning and up-to-date information to guide the walker.The Geelong Bushwalking Club have included some useful but brief articles on basic aspects of bushwalking.Walking the Otways. Track notes compiled by the Geelong Bushwalking Club. Graeme Allen (ed.); John Van Gemert (maps, photographs). 1st ed. Geelong Bushwalking Club; Geelong (Vic); November 1986. 148 p.; illus, maps. Soft cover.otways; bushwalking;

Bailiffs are officers of the Court and as such play an important role in the overall administration of justice. This booklet has been prepared as a guide to Bailiffs of the County Court of Victoria in the performance of their duties. The principal functions of the Bailiffs are the issue and service of summonses, and verdicts and judgements given effect by the execution of warrants. In any case where Bailiffs are uncertain or unsure of what to do the Registrar of the Court to which they are attached should be consulted and their directions followed.Document. Instructions to Bailiffs of the County Court. State of Victorian; Melbourne (Vic); 1978. 28 p. Soft cover.victoria; bailiffs; county court;

Lavers Hill Cheese Factory operated from 1906 until about August 1913. It consisted of a factory and a residence, with the managers B. Philbrick, D. McRae and D. McDonald. The ledger, covering the period 1910 until 1913 when the factory closed, deals with cheese sales, local sales, milk purchases and journal entries for this period, as well as wages, cartage and other operating expenditure. The Lavers Hill Cheese Factory closed when it became more advantageous to send their cream into Colac. Ledger. Lavers Hill Cheese Factory, 1910-1913.Loose leaf: Lavers Hill Cheese Factory; Purchases Butterfat, 1910-11; contents; Manufacturing A/c.lavers hill; cheese; factory; butter;

Document. History of Otway Roads. W.J. Evans. 1st ed. W.J. Evans; Beech Forest (Vic); 1981. 13 p. Soft cover.otways; roads; history;

Otway Tennis Assn, B Section, tennis trophy. Cup-shaped EPNS with handles, bakelite base, with one rectangular plate and three shield plates with the names of winning teams from 1963 until 1991/92.;1963 Beech Forest 1964 Ferguson 1975 Beech Forest 1976 Beech Forest 1977 Beech Forest 1980 Carlisle River 1981 Carlisle River 1982 Lavers Hill 1982/83 Carlisle River 1983/84 Ferguson 1984/85 Lavers Hill 1985/86 Carlisle River 1986/87 Wyelangta 1987/88 Carlisle River 1990/91 Lavers Hill Green 1991/92 Weeaproinahtennis; trophy; otway tennis association;

Trophy. Otway Tennis Association, B Grade Junior Premiers. An EPAINS lidded-cup with handles on a round bakelite base, with the names of winning teams from 1963/64, 1975/76, and 1982/83 to 1987/88 inclusive.1963/64 Beech Forest B 1975/76 Lavers Hill 1982/83 Johanna 1983/84 Carlisle River 1984/85 Lavers Hill 1985/86 Lavers Hill 1986/87 Wyelangtatennis, otway tennis association, lavers hill, beech forest, johanna, carlisle river, wyelangta

Station facilities for the travelling public on the narrow gauge line at Colac Railway Station were non-existent for many years. Tickets were purchased from the broad gauge booking office and the travellers then had to walk with their luggage over the rough, potentially ankle-twisting, stone approaches, through the goods yard and wait in the open amongst the mud holes alongside the narrow gauge departure track. In 1922 a footbridge was erected over the broad gauge lines, and a passenger shelter and small goods shed were built on the departure track.B/W. At Colac Railway Station, an locomotive 8A with five NQR wagons, an NM livestock wagon and a NBDBD combined passenger and brake van destined for Beech Forest, with either the driver or the fireman peering out of the engine, three youths standing at the front of the engine, and a group of people, including a woman, standing near the livestock wagon. A multi-storied shed and two houses are in the background. 179mm x 280mm picture.colac; railway; narrow gauge; na locomotive;

Originally named 'McInnes' after a local selector, this station opened during construction of the Crowes railway on 1 May 1911. The name was altered to Weeaproinah, the second station of that name, on 9 December 1912, after the parish in which the station was situated. (The original 'Weeaproinah' on the railway became earlier 'Dinmont' in the Olangolah Parish.) The station comprised a passenger shelter and a loop siding with a ramped platform for a sheep and pig race. A departmental residence was built for a track repairer based at the station, but no station or caretaker staff were employed there. The residence was burnt down during the 1919 bushfire but it was replaced and remained in use as a departmental residence until 1930. Weeaproinah became an unattended crossing station in December 1927 under the Train Section Order system.B/W. Weeaproinah mallee shed. In the shed there are five large wall-mounted posters and a cream can. An unlocked door with a "Skins / Hides" poster gives access the inside. A tree trunk stands to the right.weeaproinah; railways; shed;

Wimba station opened with the line in March 1902 as an unnamed stopping place, and a water tank for locomotive requirements was placed on the side of a hill about 100 metres south of the station. Locos bound for Beech Forest stopped at the passenger shelter at the station, uncoupled, and moved forward to the water tank. Goods were loaded and unloaded during this pause. The station and the tank closed with the line.B/W. Engine 14A, an NUU louvre van and an NC guard's van at the Wimba Tank, with fireman L. Moore on the roof of the cabin running water into the engine's tank. The guard returns to his van.wimba; railways; water tank;

This original station on the Colac-Beech Forest line was first known as "Moorbanool" after the local parish, and then shortened to "Banool" on 1 November 1904. At first facilities consisted of a passenger shelter, a loop siding for 11 trucks, plus a residence for the ganger of the track gang based there. By 1912 with the extension of the line to Crowes increased train services on the line required a crossing station in this section of the track, and therefore Banool became a staff and ticket station with a crossing loop and home signals. However, this only lasted for two years and was abolished as an economy measure in 1916. Loading figures show that in most years the outwards tonnage at Banool was less than 150 tonnes. The station was reduced to a passenger shelter and goods loop only by 1929, and by the time of closure in 1962 most trains were steaming through.Colour. Locomotive G42 and its NQR goods wagons, loaded and unloaded, steaming past Banool station passenger shelter. 143mm x 274mm print.banool; moorbanool; railways; locomotive g42;

While one of the lesser prime loading points sawn and split timber were loaded at Beech Forest, and a large share of this was brought to the station over two timber tramways that operated between 1904 and 1933. At the eastern end of the railway yard, near the six-ton derrick crane, a wooden tramline curved out the gate and along the road for about 8 km (5 miles) to the co-operative Box Company, known locally as the Box mill, owned by the Victorian Diary Farmers' Co-operative whose purpose was the milling of butter boxes. Other millers also provided timber. Logs were hauled to the mill by horses, and the sawn timber despatched over a tramline that joined the Box mill line about 1.2 km (0.75 miles) along. B/W. Two men loading puncheons (a short post approximately 4 feet [1.2 metres] especially used for supporting a roof in a coal mine) on a NQR wagon at Beech Forest. Note the lack of trees in the background.beech forest; railways; puncheons;

B/W. Led by locomotive G42, the last NBH excursion carriage passenger train near Friend's Road, Tulloh, on 31 March 1962.tulloh; railways; loco g42;

Railway systems have methods by which trains can proceed in safety from station to station, free from the risk of collision with other trains. These methods are generally known as "Safeworking" and they particularly apply to trains on single lines where trains run in opposite directions. The stations between these two sections are called crossing stations. A "Train Staff", a thick, round metal rod, bearing the name of the two stations is issued and these places are designated as Train Staff stations. No train is permitted to proceed through the section unless the train driver either takes the staff for the section into his possession or personally sights the staff. (Note that every station on the line is not a crossing station. These roles were performed at Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest, Wyelangta, Weeaproinah and Crowes.) Except for the period 1927-1939 when Train Section Orders were applied instead, due to declining business Train Staff and Ticket working was used throughout on the line.B/W. Driver Bill Brady holding the Train Staff in the cabin of Garratt locomotive G42, at Weeaproinah 1961 railways, bill brady, train driver, weeaproinah, train staff

In February 1959 eight NBH carriages were tranfered from storage at Newport to Colac in time for the first tentatively organized trip over the Colac-Beech Forest railway line. Eventually seventeen excursion trains ran, with carriages and an NC guard's van, usually hauled by G41 or G42, but occasionally 14A locomotive. The train run by 14A ran soon after the carriages were delivered.B/W. At McDevitt station locomotive 14A passes through on a rare NA-hauled eight excursion carriage and NC guard's van train. The front of the engine is labelled "The Ridge; 21 M(arch) 1959; ARHS", the Australian Railways Historical Society.colac; beech forest; railways; mcdevitt;

Colour. Locomotive G42 shunting in the Beech Forest railway yard on 5 June 1957. In the background, an NUU louvred van, and behind that the Goods Shed and the water tank for the sawmill. 135mm x 279mm print.beech forest; railways; loco g42;

B/W. An aerial view of Beech Forest showing the balloon loop at the end of the station yard (enclosing the two tennis courts), two ex-departmental residences, the station buildings, and other aspects of the township.beech forest: railways; township; aerial;

B/W. Aerial view of Beech Forest showing the complete station yard including the balloon loop (incorporating the two tennis courts), two ex-departmental residences, the station building and where the Colac and Crowes lines diverged. As well Beech Forest Hall, council offices and Shire Secretary's house, Denherts Track, and Main Road are shown.beech forest; railways; township; aerial;

B/W. Between Dinmont and Ditchley, a man on a railway bridge overlooking a waterfall in 1919. dinmont; ditchley; beech forest; waterfall; railways;

The railway track was maintained initially by seven three-man gangs headed by a ganger. The gangers tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate staff of repairers were local recruits. There were two track gangs at Beech Forest until 1954, so a large number of gangers and repairers was present over the years. World War 2 with petrol and rubber rationing provided a boost to the line. The 1939 bushfire killed a great deal of timber which had to transported out of the Otways, and the commencement of a vigorous wartime pulp wood traffic from Beech Forest meant that only the railway could efficiently handle the volume of traffic. By early 1940 not only the Garratt was running a daily train to Beech Forest but an NA goods train was scheduled to run at night. As a result the track gangs were also particularly busy at the same time.B/W. In snow at Beech Forest, a track gang on a trolley at the entrance to the Way and Works shed, comprising G. Newland, Ned Hewing, Bill Taylor, Jim Gowty, and Buck.beech forest; railways; g. newland; ned hewing; bill taylor; jim gowty; snow; track gang;