The Recco system was developed in response to an avalanche tragedy in Are, Sweden in December 1973. The inventor and founder of RECCO, Magnus Granheed assisted in the rescue work. He was frustrated by the primitive methods for locating buried victims that existed at that time, by “probing” with ski poles and digging at random. Unfortunately two people were found deceased. created a passive reflector that could be carried by a skier at all times. After careful research and consultation with professional rescuers, the first prototype was finalised in the beginning of the 80s. In 1983, the company called RECCO was founded. Today the system consists of two parts: a reflector integrated into clothing, boots, helmets and body protection worn by skiers and riders and a detector used by organised rescue teams. These avalanche reflectors were given to participants at the 1987 Interski International Ski Institute Instructors' conference held in Banff, Canada.The invention of these reflectors was critical to increased safety for participants in outdoor activities including skiing at Falls Creek,Two Recco Reflectors which are worn on a skier's equipment or clothing. These strips contain a passive reflector which can be detected by searchers in an emergency situation.From left to right: INTERSKI Banff 1987 / RECCO Avalanche Radar Reflector / INTERSKI ARE 1991recco reflectors, recco system, avalanche rescue, magnus granheed

In 1932, Edward Thomas Both invented the first portable direct reading electro cardiograph. This item is a three lead electrocardiograph tracing conducted on one of Dr Angus' patients in 1939. Dr William Roy Angus (1901-1970) came to Warrnambool in 1939, purchasing the general practice of Dr John Hunter Henderson. He was the last serving Warrnambool Port Medical Officer. A health problem after the war prompted a change from general practice to ophthalmology. Dr. Angus became an important ophthalmologist , pioneering the use of the intrascleral cartilage implant which resulted in cosmetically better artificial eyes. He was an Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at Warrnambool Base Hospital for 31 years. He was Secretary of the Victorian South West sub-division of the Australian Medical Association from 1949 to 1956 and Chairman from 1956 to 1958. His obituary in the Medical Journal of Australia (July 1970) stated he was "dedicated and devoted to both his profession and his patients" .This item provides a link to an Australian invention of medical equipment which improved diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions in the 1930's. It is an example of diagnostic recordings used by a Warrnambool doctor in 1939.This is a card record of a three lead "Both" Electrogram. The upper one third has places for the date patient details and diagnosis. There are three electrocardiogram tracings over graph paper in the bottom two thirds of the item. The reverse side has a handwritten in ink interpretation of the tracings.Front: BOTH ELECTRO-CARDIOGRAM No. Date July 4th 1939 Rate 130 Name Age Diagnosis The patient name has been blacked out. Dr. Angus is printed in the top right hand corner. Rear: The P wave in lead 1 is broadened and notched, and has a suggestive "plateau" top. This may indicate a mitral stenosis, auricular hypertrophy. E Bannondr william roy angus, both electro-cardiogram, dr angus collection