This school photograph has been identified by Mary Gilbert as being of Bete Bolong students with their teacher. The names are written on a separate piece of paper which was attached to the photograph. Back Row - George Healey; George Madden; Bert Paton; Harold Cumming; Charlie Ingram; Stan Paton; Bill Madden; Frank Sealey; Tom Cumming; Ted Johnston Middle Row - Rita Mundy; Ruby Richardson; Mary Cumming; Mollie Ingram; Clarrie Paton; Irene Richardson; Ella Paton; Ena Cumming; Grace Mundy; Violet Sealey; Maggie Webb; Bertha Johnstone Front Row - Billy Ingram; Ernie Sealey; Archie Johnston; Rupert Madden; Ron Healey; Jack Cumming; Gordon Healey; Mrs Hannak (?) Conner - teacher n 1912 the school at Pumpkin Point opened to serve the children of farmers living in the Bete Bolong district. This meant a big change in their way of life because in the past the children had been rowed across the Snowy River each day to attend school at Jarrahmond. Myrtle Bunting was the first HT of the school which had been erected on a block of land purchased from H. Richardson. The school functioned until 1952 when a shortage of pupils caused its closure. As a bus service to Orbost now operated, the school at Pumpkin Point faced permanent closure.This photograph is associated with education in Orbost. There is no longer a school at Bete Bolong.A black / white photograph of a group of school children with an adult. Behind the three rows of children is a wall and windows. The back row is standing,the middle seated and the front row kneeling. The photograph is glued onto a brown cardboard mount with embossed decoration. On the front bottom right in red lettering "W Stanley Vogt, BAIRNSDALE".BETE BOLONG STATE SCHOOL W.Stanley Vogt, BAIRNSDALEbete-bolong-state-school education-orbost

This is a photograph of a railway camp, set up to house workers and their families when building the Bairnsdale to Orbost Railway from 1914-1916. The man in the foreground was one of three men killed in an explosion "noon on the railway construction works at Hagen's Cutting, about two miles from Orbost, three men being killed. The victims were John Carroll, con- tractor, his son, Peter Carroll, and John Sullivan, a navvy. The gang had just finished work, and the three stayed behind to draw a blasting charge, which had missed fire yesterday. J. Carroll was using a pick, and it is presumed that the tool struck a percussion cap, and fired the charge. He and Sullivan were killed instantly, Carroll being literally blown to pieces. Fragments of his body and garments were recovered from the surrounding bush, and the main portion of the trunk, with leg attached, was hurled a distance of 200 yards. Peter Carroll was terribly- injured, and he died before medical aid arrived." (from The Mercury Saturday March 114 1914) The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. Orbost Railway Station was opened on Monday 10 April 1916 as the terminus of the Orbost railway line, and closed in 1987. The station was located on the west side of the Snowy River despite the town of Orbost being on the east side of the river, in order to save on the costs of a bridge over the river, which at the time had highly variable levels. This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A black / white photograph of a campsite. There is a kitchen outside a rough construction. Men and women are standing in the backgroundd with one man and a dog in the foreground.on back - "Man with dog killed in explosion"orbost-railway transport railway-bairnsdale-orbost explosion-railway

Ferdinand von Mueller was born at Rostock, Germany, on 30 June 1825 , died at Melbourne, Australia, on 10 October 1896. He studied pharmacy and took his Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Kiel in 1847. He came to Australia in 1848 for health reasons and became a great botanical collector and writer. He was Victorian Government Botanist from 1853, and for a time Director of the Botanic Gardens. He travelled widely in Victoria and was on the A.C.Gregory expedition to northern Australia in 1855-57. He supported botanical exploration and collecting throughout the colonies. 681.3 was presented to Carl Grove from G. Tadgell of Flemington. Charles Henry [Carl] Grove died on 17/4/1938 at Box Hill at the age of 88 and was buried in Orbost. Prior to coming to the Snowy River district, Carl worked as overseer on Buchan Station. In 1880, he selected land at Newmerella after first coming here in 1874 with early selector James A Robertson.He was one of the first selectors at Orbost - in 1880 he selected 320 acres at Newmerella, which he called „Ulinda‟ He married Annie Robertson in 1876. Carl was a farmer, hop and seed grower and nurseryman. He was an elected Councillor of the newly formed Tambo Shire in 1882, and then in 1892 to the Orbost Shire where he served for many years filling varioius public roles. In 1911, he shifted to Queensland, but later returned to Victoria and died at Box Hill. (Ref. Nov 2014 Newsletter) Mueller was one of the first people to take a scientific interest in Victorian forests, and argued against indiscriminate clearing of land. This item is a useful research tool. It is associated with Carl Grove, a prominent early resident of Orbost.Three copies of fabric bound book with a deep blue cover and the title, "Key To The System Of Victorian plants" in gold print. It has an ornate border around the edge.inside cover of 681.1 - To H. Grove, March 1891 Ulinda, Newmerella, Victoriaferdinand-von-mueller grove-carl botany plants-victoria

This is Issue No. 5 of "The Curlip". The magazine is a compilation of research from a trip by the Orbost & District Historical Society to Bete Bolong. The Bete Bolong Prisoner of War Camp was located on the south side of the Buchan - Orbost Rd. From November 1943 to November 1945, Italian prisoners of war were based at Bete Bolong, cultivating maize, peas, beans and other vegetables on local farms. Unlike other 'farming' prisoners of war, those at Bete Bolong did not live with the farming families, but at a Prisoner of War Control Centre on Crown land overlooking the Snowy River Flats. About fifty Italian prisoners lived at the centre, along with an Australian Military Force staff of approximately seven people. The prisoners were driven to and from the farms each day. Three of them apparently simply swam across the river to work. They worked a six day week, with Sundays off. Although they were provided with rations, both prisoners and staff maintained vegetable and flower gardens. They were also skilled at cooking 'anything' they could catch, and at making illegal "grappa". Very few of the Italians were experienced farm workers. Some of them used their skills to make things for the families they worked for; a cabinet-maker made furniture , a cobbler made shoes, etc. They interacted with the local community and, although they were not supposed to go within one kilometre of town, some were found at local dances on Saturday nights. As recreation the prisoners were allowed to walk along the road to the west of the camp. Local people from both sides of the river could hear them sing as they walked. The prisoners also helped to construct an 'ant bed' tennis court on a property adjacent to the centre. Although now overgrown, the site of the tennis court can still be discerned as a flat area above the site of the centre. (ref./vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au)This item is a useful reference tool on the history of the Prisoner of War Camp at Bete Bolong, Orbost.A spiral bound book with a clear plastic cover. On the front is a coloured photograph of a view from the site of the P.O.W. camp at the intersection of Bete Bolong and Buchan Roads at Bete Bolong. Above is the title "Prisoner of War Camp Bete Bolong, Vic. 1943-1946" in black print on a white background. p.o.w.-camp-orbost ww11 bete-bolong

The first settler to occupy the Marlo township area was James Stirling around the year 1875. He built a bark hut on the bluff that had two rooms, bark walls, earthen floors and a shingle roof. By 1884, this structure had expanded to a 9 roomed accommodation house and in 1886 became the Marlo Hotel when a liquor license was granted. The Governor-in-Council declared Marlo to be a township on 18 February 1889. During May 1889, the government surveyor, E.L. Bruce set out 19 sections of the new township, with the first sales of subdivided land occurring the following May. At this time, Stirling's Marlo Hotel was the unofficial hub for the community. It was a general store, accommodation house and the unofficial post office, with settlers taking turns in bringing the mail from Orbost or Cunningham. This continued until Aug 1942, and in 1969 was located in a house adjacent to the Marlo Hotel, before being transferred to the Marlo General Store in this year. The official Post Office List states the Marlo Post Office opened around 1902. in 1925, the "Marlo House" (a nine room accommodation guest house) was granted a liquor licence. The "Marlo House" became "The Marlo Hotel". The Marlo Hotel was popular with many Orbost and district settlers, who travelled to Marlo by horseback or buggy. In the early 20th century the hotel advertised itself as " Under Vice-Regal Patronage. Situated on High Cliff, fronting Ocean, Lakes and Snowy River. Those in search of Health, Rest and Sport should visit Marlo. Boating, Fishing, Shooting, Bathing, Golf. Comfort and Convenience at Marlo Hotel, near Orbost, East Gippsland. Nixon's Cars would meet the train at at Orbost. Fare---6s single, 12s return. Telephone No. 1, Marlo. S, P, STEWART, Proprietor." The Marlo Hotel, perched on the hill overlooking the estuaries and the entrance is a significant building in Marlo. Established in 1886, it has been operating for over 120 yearsAn original black / white photograph and a black / white copy of a party being held under trees on the lawn of the Marlo Hotel. It is a postcard with advertising of Marlo on the back.on back - "Where to spend your holiday - Marlo" on front - "Vice Regal Party at Hotel, Marlo"marlo-hotel

This magazine cost $2.50 and was produced to support the East Gippsland Red Cross Flood Appeal. Following heavy rain in East Gippsland in June, 1998, major flooding occurred in the Mitchell, Nicholson, Tambo, Snowy, Brodribb and Bemm Rivers. Other streams in the region also experienced high flows during this time. Probably the most severe direct impacts of the floods were to the rural sector.This magazine is a contemporary record of a significant local event.Two copies of a magazine pictorial of the floods of 1998. Photos are black and white. They are of Bairnsdale, Orbost, Lakes Entrance, Raymond Island, Bemm River, Bruthen , Tambo and Cabbage Tree. flood-1998 flood-east gippsland disaster-floods

Mrs Arthurena Dora Beattie (nee Morrison), had been teaching privately at Rosedale and came to Orbost with her husband and family in 1890. In 1892 she opened a private school in Salisbury Street (about the site of the Countryman Motor Inn) which she conducted for about 10 to 12 years. Her husband, John Wilson Beattie, a retired State School teacher, had been head teacher at the Rosedale School from July 1870 to August 1884. After coming to Orbost he selected land on Wall Creek. He was a widower with 7 of 11 surviving children when he married Arthurena in 1885. His fist wife, Georgina (nee KELLY) died at Rosedale in 1883 when the youngest child was just 5 weeks old. John and Arthurena had a further 8 children (5 born at Orbost), and after John's death she married George McCARLIE in 1916 at Sale and moved Mirboo North. (references:BEATTIE, Arthurena Dora Music teacher, Orbost - 1903 Electoral Roll. BEATTIE, Arthurena Dora Teacher, Orbost - 1912 Electoral Roll.) There was at least one other private school much earlier, in 1884. It was thought to be the first school in the district and conducted by William Ballantyne. It was located on the flat on the Newmerella side of the Snowy River near where the first railway crossing used to be. Wm Ballantyne had previously taught school at Sarsfield from June 1873 to November 1879. (information from John Phillips) This advertisement was for educational tuition by Mrs Beattie. Tuition would be from 10.00am - 12.00 and from 1.30pm - 3.30pm. Costs were thirteen shillings per quarter for children under the age of 12 years and one guinea for those over 12 years. A reduction would be given for more than one child in the same family. The 1872 legislation required all children aged 6-15 years to attend school unless they had a reasonable excuse. Parents who did not send their children to school were liable for fines up to five shillings for a first offence, with the penalty increasing to 20 shillings for each repeat offence. The Orbost State School had opened on 19th of March 1886 and this "private school" appears to have been a small private enterprise school. This is a useful research item associated with education in Orbost.A white A5 size paper advertisement which has black print. It is an advertisement for private educational tuition. Details of costs and hours are included.beattie education school advertising

These letters were received by Henry James of Orbost. Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district. He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF. They concern a fund established to raise money to bring the three sons of Jennings Carmichael to Australia. A committee established by Henry Gyles Turner, a a notable Australian banker and historian, was formed to raise funds to bring the boys to Australia. Grace Elizabeth Jennings Carmichael (1867-1904), poet and nurse, was born on 24 February 1867 at Ballarat, Victoria, daughter of Archibald Carmichael, a miner from Perthshire, Scotland, and his wife Margaret Jennings, née Clark, from Cornwall, England. . She was educated at Melbourne and while still a child went to live on a station at Orbost, and grew up close to the bush she came to love so much. In 1888 she went to Melbourne to be trained as a nurse at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and in 1891 published a small volume of prose sketches, Hospital Children. Having qualified she obtained a position on a station near Geelong, and subsequently married Francis Mullis. She contributed verse to the Australasian, and in 1895 Poems by Jennings Carmichael was published. She lived for a time in South Australia and then went to London, where she died in poor circumstances in 1904. Her husband, Henry Mullis, was last recorded in the workhouse in Woolrich, but then disappeared leaving the three children- Geoffrey 7 yrs, (Thomas) Clive 5 yrs & 4 year old (Archibald) Keith and one year old (Rupert) Wyatt, destitute & were sent to the Northampton workhouse, (Thomas ) Clive dying in 1906. In 1910, a group of Carmichael's admirers, discovered the whereabouts of her children, where a public fund was established to bring the children to Australia, the Victorian Government giving them free passage, arriving in Victoria in October of 1910. The children were placed in private homes and took on their mother's single name of Carmichael. In 1910 a small selection of her poems was published, in 1937 a plaque to her memory was unveiled at Orbost in the Mechanics Institute ( reg. 554), and a year later a replica was placed in the public library at Ballarat. Two of Jennings Carmichael's sons were present at the ceremony.Jennings Carmichael, a leading Australian poet spent much of her childhood in Orbost.Several letter written to H. James concerning the Jennings Carmichael Children's Fund. Stapled to one letter is a typed article about the Jennings Carmichael Children's Fund written by Frank a. Russell. The other letter is a three page stapled handwritten letter from St Oswald's, Ormond College, seeking information about Jennings Carmichael.james-henry jennings-carmichael correspondence

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. About A. B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson Andrew Barton Paterson was born at Narrambla Station in New South Wales, Australia, on 17th February 1864 and died 5th February 1941. His first seven years were spent on his father’s station, where like so many Australian children he enjoyed a bush boyhood. This property was at Obley in the Orange district of New South Wales. The family moved to the Yass district and lived near the main route from Sydney to Melbourne where he saw a great many bullock teams, drovers with herds of stock, gold escorts and Cob & Co coaches. His lifelong love of horses and horsemen was forged from the riders and their horses he saw at the picnic races and polo matches the family attended. These horses and riders where from the Murrumbidgee River and Snowy Mountain areas of New South Wales. Patterson lived most of his life in Sydney. He became a journalist, army officer, novelist, poet, solicitor and a war correspondent. He enjoyed many different sports such as tennis, rowing and, most of all, he delighted in his horsemanship. His first poem ‘El Mahdi to the Australian Troop’ was published in the Bulletin in 1885 under the pen name of “The Banjo”, which was the name of his favourite horse. In 1895 his first book was published and was sold out in the week of publication; he sold 7000 copies in a few months. This book was “The Man From Snowy River, and other Verses” and it contained such ballads as ‘Clancy of the Overflow’, ‘The Geebung Polo Club’, ‘The Man from Ironbark’, and ‘Saltbush Bill’. The tittle poem was first published in 1890. In 1895 Patterson visited his fiancé (at that time), Sarah Riley, who was staying with her friends the Macphersons at Dagworth Station in Queensland. Sarah’s old school friend Christina McPherson. Christina replayed to them an old Scottish tune called “The Craigielee March” that she had heard played by the Garrison Artillery band at the Warrnambool picnic races in Victoria, 1894. Patterson wrote words to fit the tune and it became the now famous ‘Waltzing Matilda’. He was commissioned by the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age as they correspondent to report on the South African War. After being a roving reporter in China he went to England and spent time with Rudyard Kipling. In April 1903 Paterson married Alice Walker in Tenterfield, New South Wales, and they had two children, Grace and Hugh. At the outbreak of World War 1 Paterson sailed for England in the hope of covering the fighting in Flanders as a correspondent but finished up driving an ambulance for the Australian Voluntary Hospital, Wimereux, France. In 1915 as an honorary vet he made three voyages taking horse to Africa, China and Egypt. On 18th October 1915 he was commissioned in the 2nd Remount Unit in the Australian Imperial Force and was promoted to Captain serving in the Middle East. He was wounded in April 1916, when he re-joined his unit he was promoted to major and commanded the Australian Remount Squadron from October 1916 to his return to Australia in 1919. Once the War was over he resumed his work as a journalist until he retired in 1930 so that he could devote time to creative writing. He became a successful radio broadcaster with the Australian Broadcasting Commission using his travel experiences. He wrote the children’s book “The Animals Noah Forgot” in 1933 and then in 1934 “Happy Dispatches” in which he told of his meetings with people like Winston Churchill and Kipling. “The Shearer’s Colt was published in 1936 and in 1939 he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald. After a short illness he passed away in Sydney on 5th February 1941. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Happy Dispatches Author: A B ("Banjo") Paterson Publisher: Angus & Robertson Ltd Date: 1935Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 PAT Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, happy dispatches, a b paterson, banjo paterson

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. About A. B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson Andrew Barton Paterson was born at Narrambla Station in New South Wales, Australia, on 17th February 1864 and died 5th February 1941. His first seven years were spent on his father’s station, where like so many Australian children he enjoyed a bush boyhood. This property was at Obley in the Orange district of New South Wales. The family moved to the Yass district and lived near the main route from Sydney to Melbourne where he saw a great many bullock teams, drovers with herds of stock, gold escorts and Cob & Co coaches. His lifelong love of horses and horsemen was forged from the riders and their horses he saw at the picnic races and polo matches the family attended. These horses and riders where from the Murrumbidgee River and Snowy Mountain areas of New South Wales. Patterson lived most of his life in Sydney. He became a journalist, army officer, novelist, poet, solicitor and a war correspondent. He enjoyed many different sports such as tennis, rowing and, most of all, he delighted in his horsemanship. His first poem ‘El Mahdi to the Australian Troop’ was published in the Bulletin in 1885 under the pen name of “The Banjo”, which was the name of his favourite horse. In 1895 his first book was published and was sold out in the week of publication; he sold 7000 copies in a few months. This book was “The Man From Snowy River, and other Verses” and it contained such ballads as ‘Clancy of the Overflow’, ‘The Geebung Polo Club’, ‘The Man from Ironbark’, and ‘Saltbush Bill’. The tittle poem was first published in 1890. In 1895 Patterson visited his fiancé (at that time), Sarah Riley, who was staying with her friends the Macphersons at Dagworth Station in Queensland. Sarah’s old school friend Christina McPherson. Christina replayed to them an old Scottish tune called “The Craigielee March” that she had heard played by the Garrison Artillery band at the Warrnambool picnic races in Victoria, 1894. Patterson wrote words to fit the tune and it became the now famous ‘Waltzing Matilda’. He was commissioned by the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age as they correspondent to report on the South African War. After being a roving reporter in China he went to England and spent time with Rudyard Kipling. In April 1903 Paterson married Alice Walker in Tenterfield, New South Wales, and they had two children, Grace and Hugh. At the outbreak of World War 1 Paterson sailed for England in the hope of covering the fighting in Flanders as a correspondent but finished up driving an ambulance for the Australian Voluntary Hospital, Wimereux, France. In 1915 as an honorary vet he made three voyages taking horse to Africa, China and Egypt. On 18th October 1915 he was commissioned in the 2nd Remount Unit in the Australian Imperial Force and was promoted to Captain serving in the Middle East. He was wounded in April 1916, when he re-joined his unit he was promoted to major and commanded the Australian Remount Squadron from October 1916 to his return to Australia in 1919. Once the War was over he resumed his work as a journalist until he retired in 1930 so that he could devote time to creative writing. He became a successful radio broadcaster with the Australian Broadcasting Commission using his travel experiences. He wrote the children’s book “The Animals Noah Forgot” in 1933 and then in 1934 “Happy Dispatches” in which he told of his meetings with people like Winston Churchill and Kipling. “The Shearer’s Colt was published in 1936 and in 1939 he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald. After a short illness he passed away in Sydney on 5th February 1941. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Three Elephant Power Author: A B Paterson Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1917Label on spine cover with typed text RA 823.91 PAT Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Fly paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institutewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, three elephant power, a b paterson

This was retrieved in 1982 by Geoff Stevenson. It was a part of the original jetty at Tabbara on the Brodribb River used by Samuel Richardson who established his mill in .1882. The first saw mill plant at Orbost was set up early in 1876, There was a constant demand for timber to supply the growing townships of Orbost , Marlo and surrounds. It was at this mill that the original paddle steamer Curlip was built. More information in "Curlip" by May Leatch.The Richardson family was one of the very early settler families to establish themselves in the Orbost district. Before the Richardson's mill was established, settlers in the Snowy region either rough cut their own timber or had to bring it in from mills some distance away.A portion of a post from the old Tabbara jetty on the Brodribb River - Samuel Richardson's mill . There is still some original preserving tar on it. It has two holes, one with a bolt attached. It is possibly made from mahogany cut on the site.richardson-samuel tabbara-jetty brodribb-river

These books were used at the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) as visitor sign in books. Orbost. This slab hut was built in 1872 as a family dwelling on a site about 3 km upstream from the junction of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers about 40 kms from Orbost on the Yalmy Rd. No nails were used in the construction; it was all wired together. After a period in storage the slab hut was opened in its present location in Orbost as the Information Centre in 1987. The Slab Hut is an Orbost icon.Five books used by the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) as visitor sign in books. 2467.1 has a green cover with "Visitors" in gold print and is dated 28.3.87 - 6.7.87. 2467.2 has a black cover with a gold border and "Visitors" in gold print. It is dated 11.6.87 - 3.11.89. 2467.3 has a black cover with red corners and spine. 2467.4 has pink and red flowers on a black background and is dated Sept 93 - 9.3.98. 2467.5 is a Children's Visitor Book and has a white cover with gold print. It is dated 9.4.87 -23.7.89. All contain handwritten comments, details of visitors to the Orbost Visitor Information Centre.2467.1 - Inside front cover - OFFICIALLY OPENED 28.3.1987 by VIC. GOVERNOR DAVIS McCAUGHEY 2467.2 - label on spine - VISITOR BOOK 2 inside a circle. 2467.3 - label on front - VISITORS ; label on spine - dates Feb 89 - Sep 93 2467.4 - label on front - VISITOR'S BOOK Sept 93 -9.3.98 tourissm slab-hut orbost-visitor-information-centre

These folders contain letters written to the Slab Hut either requesting information or making comments. There are copies of the replies.The Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) is an Orbost icon. This slab hut was built in 1872 as a family dwelling on a site about 3 km upstream from the junction of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers about 40 kms from Orbost on the Yalmy Rd. No nails were used in the construction; it was all wired together. After a period in storage the slab hut was opened in its present location in Orbost as the Information Centre in 1987.Two manila folders containing correspondence to/from Orbost Visitor Information Centre. The letters are tied together with string/ribbon. Most are information requests with copies of the replies.correspondence-orbost-visitor-information-centre tourism

Mr Fred Lay, along with his father and brothers, owned the local carrier business with Mr Charlie Joiner as a business partner. They used a horse and cart to transport goods from the railway station into Orbost . In about 1907-08 Mr. Charles Joiner and Mr. Alf Lay came together and conducted a regular service — Mr. Lay at Lakes with a five horse team (because he had to travel the beach at Lake Tyers) and Mr. Joiner, at Orbost, with four horses. The two met half way and changed wagons. Asked why they did this it was said they met every boat and were at the jetty every day. This was why they cornered most of the inward loadings. (ref. River Trading on the Snowy, John Phillips) Later the business was sold to Mr David Williams. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of a book keeping document used by an early Orbost Business. It is a useful research item.A white receipt docket with black lines and print from Lay & Joiner, General Carriers to R. Cameron.on front - "Paid by Cash"cameron-robert-pullar lay-&-joiner-carriers transport document-receipt

This ledger was used initially by H. James & Co., Shipping and General Commission agents in Orbost in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It was then used by James and Bird, Auctioneers and Estate Agents.Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district. He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF. John Bird was an auctioneer and estate agent,A large handwritten ledger with blue/green cloth covers. It has brown suede corner pieces and a suede spine. The end pages are marbled as are the page edges.james-henry orbost-history bird-john

George Nixon (1862-1941) selected land in Bete Bolong in the 1890's. He married Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. He was a shire councillor. He was a prominent breeder of Clydesdales and after a serious fall off a horse walked with a walking stick and special boot for the rest of his life. He was well-known for his interest in cars, horse-racing and politics. Mrs Nixon (Emily)was the first Red Cross president during WW1. They had ten children.both George and Emily are buried in the Orbost Cemetery. (ref:From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point by Hon Peter Nixon A.O.)George Nixon was the son of James and Alice Nixon. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River.A large black and white photograph which is glued on to a white paper frame and then on to brown cardboard. It is a photo of three children and a dog standing in a garden with a house in the background. The smallest child is sitting on a planter pedestal. The baby is Frederick Howard Nixon, the older girl is Essie Nixon.On back - George & Emily Nixon's family (Warren) Lexcine, Frederick, Esther In bottom RH corner - HDBphotograph family nixon-george

This postcard is addressed to Tom Lloyd from Uncle Frank c/o F. Lloyd Esq, Bairnsdale.This item is a pictorial record associated with the agricultural history of Orbost. .The extensive Snowy river flood plain was swampy, but by the 1880s the river flats were being drained. The Orbost flats are very fertile and crops were planted on the rich deep soil, with maize rapidly becoming widespread.A black / white photograph of the Orbost farming flats. The sky is very cloudy. There are paddocks of crops in the foreground.on front - "Orbost Flats" on back - "How are you enjoying your holiday.......Uncle Frank"orbost-flats-farming lloyd-frank

This is a photograph of Councillor George Nixon who represented South Riding on the Orbost Shire Council from 1902 - 1916. He was president 1914-1915. George Nixon (1862-1941) selected land in Bete Bolong in the 1890's. He married Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. He was a shire councillor. He was a prominent breeder of Clydesdales and after a serious fall off a horse walked with a walking stick and special boot for the rest of his life. He was well-known for his interest in cars, horse-racing and politics.He was married to Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. Mrs Nixon (Emily)was the first Red Cross president during WW1. They had ten children.both George and Emily are buried in the Orbost Cemetery. (ref:From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point by Hon Peter Nixon A.O.)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. This item is associated with a prominent Orbost family. George Nixon was the son of James and Alice Nixon. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of man wearing a suit.There is also a framed copy.nixon-george orbost-shire-council

This hook was probably used in lift sacks of corn / maize to the lofts in the barns using a pulley beam system sometimes driven by a small tractor or a horse.This item is connected to the agricultural history of the Snowy River flats of the Orbost district. Intensive farming for maize was an integral part of the history of Orbost.A double bag hook consisting of two double metal hooks on a metal ring.bag-hook rural

Probably used in the local bean growing industry. The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. It was exported to other states of Australia. Green beans were sent to Melbourne by train and later to Sydney, either via Bombala where they were railed, or to Eden to continue the journey on fish trucks. One pound per bag was considered a good price in the early 1920's and pickers were paid one shilling and sixpence. (Ref: Newmerella Valley of Plenty)A round wooden framed sieve. The frame holds the wire mesh sieve. It is braced with seven thin wire strips.sieve agriculture tool

This food flask belonged to P C Toby and Grace Nixon of "Macclesfield", Jarrahmond. It was used for carrying food for bean and maize pickers and maize threshing crews during the period 1945-1950.The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. Maize is still grown in the area.A large blue metal food flask. It has a screw off lid and a red vacuum seal top. It has a thin metal handle with a black plug in the base.On base-Made in Hong Kong Freezenhot Bottle Co.flask food-preservation macclesfield nixon-toby agriculture

This was owned by Grace Cameron.Donor, Grace Cameron, was daughter of John Cameron who in 1875 selected first land on the Snowy River flats. He was married to Elizabeth Roadknight.A gold plated hat pin with gold wire coils and a pearl bobble on the top.hat-pin cameron-grace millinery hair-accessories

Donor, Grace Cameron, was daughter of John Cameron who in 1875 selected first land on the Snowy River flats. Married Elizabeth Roadknight.Small red glass moulded dish. Symmetrical square design with small red handle on one side.glass dish domestic crockery cameron

Donor, Grace Cameron, was daughter of John Cameron who in 1875 selected first land on the Snowy River flats. Married Elizabeth Roadknightsmall green and white Wedgewood biscuit barrel with silver plated rim. Lid is missing.biscuit-barrel container domestic ceramic cameron

This photograph is of Percy Nixon, son of James Nixon and Alice Roberts Percy Nixon married Evelyn Harding. The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images. Helena Francis Warren (nee McKeown) was married to William John Warren and lived in Newmerella. She supplied the photos for the Back-To-Orbost celebration book in 1937 and also designed the Back-To-Orbost badge. She was known for her soft toy making. (by Ivy Rodwell in from Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District by Mary Gilbert). This item is associated with a prominent Orbost family. George Nixon was the son of James and Alice Nixon. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River. This photograph also has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker.A black / white photograph of a young boy standing next to a very large pumpkin. His right arm is resting on the top.pumpkins-orbost warren-helena-photography nixon-percy

This is a photograph of Alan, Keith, Preston and Jim Nixon. George Nixon (1862-1941) selected land in Bete Bolong in the 1890's. He married Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. He was a shire councillor. He was a prominent breeder of Clydesdales and after a serious fall off a horse walked with a walking stick and special boot for the rest of his life. He was well-known for his interest in cars, horse-racing and politics.He was married to Emily Warren in 1889 in Orbost. Mrs Nixon (Emily)was the first Red Cross president during WW1. They had ten children.both George and Emily are buried in the Orbost Cemetery. (ref:From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point by Hon Peter Nixon A.O.) The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images.This photograph has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker, This item is also associated with a prominent Orbost family. George Nixon was the son of James and Alice Nixon. The Nixon families were among the earliest settlers on the Snowy River. It is an example of the early book-keeping of an Orbost business in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of three boys and a baby in a carved out pumpkin with a flag at each end and "HMAS ORBOST" carved in the front.warren-helena pumpkins nixon

Photographs in this album are : forest,creek; Burns Cutting; river with bridge; Tony in his boat (spare print); Murrungowar and three of Conran.Henry James (1860-1932) was a well-known identity in the Orbost district.He was a stock agent and auctioneer who helped to establish the seed bean industry in Orbost. He was the second secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Co. as well as a shire councillor and prominent member of MUIOOF.a fabric covered book with gold print - "Photographs" on front cover. It contains an assortment of photographs.inside front cover - "Photographs taken by Mr Harry James about 1900-10"james-harry photography-orbost-conran-murrungowar

Demonstrates a pictorial history of social activities undertaken by Kiewa Valley residents during this period possibly 1970’s to 1980’s. Also a pictorial record of residents of the Kiewa Valley during this period. Photographs demonstrate local Kiewa Valley residents enjoying a community visit to the Khancoban area, which holds significance to the early history of the district. Its heritage is celebrated in Banjo Paterson’s epic poem, “The Man from Snowy River”. 2 black and white photographs mounted on buff card. 1. Group of ladies on a tour of the Khancoban area 2. Mixed group of ladies and men on a tour of the Khancoban area 1. Handwritten in black ink below photo 'Mrs Van Der Weyde, Mrs Storey, Mrs Temple 2. Handwritten in black pen below photo 'A.O. Smith, A. Angus, Mrs. Pullin, S. Ross, C. Roper, Mrs Temple, A. E. Campbell (name of last person obscured)kiewa valley residents, clare roper

The Hollonds' family were original settlers in the Kiewa Valley at Mulagong. Their descendants owned land in Tawonga, Tawonga South and between the East and West of the Kiewa river. Hollonds had a cattle run on Mt Fainter which was later given to the Hicks family.Members of the Hollonds family lived, worked and married in the Kiewa Valley. These papers describe the connection to the families and the Kiewa Valley.Typed papers donated by the Hollonds' family covering: The Hollonds Family History, Cattlemen, 'Snowy' Miller, Mrs Hollonds' Boarding house, SEC Depot at Tawonga, building of Bogong Township, Early Scenes on the Kiewa Scheme.hollonds family, tawonga station, cattlemen, mt beauty land, tawonga boarding house

Full page newspaper clipping featuring the March 1965 Victorian bushfires. Items include: Photograph - TWO-WOMAN BUCKET BRIGADE, Mrs Henry Marsden (left) and Mrs Moureen Ellis, whose fire-fighting efforts yesterday were highly praised today by their Eltham neighbours, carry out mopping-up operations Photograph - DOGS MADE HOMELESS by the fire in North Eltham yesterday are being cared for at First-Constable Doug. Mummery's kennels at Eltham and here is kennel maid Helen Oliver, 17, with some of them today. The two basset hounds are owned by Mr Bill Guy who lost about 100 daschund and basset hound puppies and dogs in the fire. Photograph - He died at Eltham [Picture of John Lawrence Coleman] Builder Mr John Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Main Rd., Eltham, one of three men burnt to death yesterday in the fire at North Eltham. The other two were XXXXX, 33 who lives opposite the Colemans and Mr William Elwers, 64 of Batman Rd., Eltham. John Lawrence Coleman (1934-1965) born January 10, was the son of Raymond John Coleman and Hanna May (Gillet) Coleman. He married Margaret Frances Dare in 1955 and was the father of two children. He died whilst attempting to rescue an older man trapped in the bushfire at North Eltham on March 3, 1965 Other news stories of the day:  Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead (1965, March 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131758981 Includes two photos of the fire in North Eltham “Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham, Victoria. The smoke hides a house.” and “A house explodes into flames at North Eltham, Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up.” Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 March 1965, page 1 ________________________________________ Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road. North Eltham. Victoria. The smoke hides a house. A house explodes into flames at North Eltham. Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up. Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—Three people died today in a bush» fire which raged through North Eltham, about 15 miles from Melbourne. The victims were three men. A fourth man is feared to be dead. Another bushfire. sparked off by the heatwave sizzling over south-eastern Australia, is burning out of control in the Kosciusko State Park, in the Snowy Mountains. Firefighters fear that if it reaches pine forests up the Yarrangobilly River, they will be powerless to stop it. The three victims of the North Eltbam fire were trapped by flames in a valley. Their bodies were found only a few yards apart. They were named by police tonight as Mr. George Crowe, 78, of North Eltham, William John Ewers, 64, and John Laurence Coleman, 31, both of Eltham. The other two have not been identified. They are believed to be a man aged about 40 and an 18-year-old youth. At least 12 homes were destroyed by the fire, the worst in Victoria since 1962, when eight lives were lost and hundreds of homes burnt down at Warrandyte. At one time the township of Eltham was threatened, but a cool change swept in from the south and held back the wall of flames. More than 100 dogs, worth about £4,000, died when the fire raced through two kennels in Short Street, Eltham. and Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham. A trickle of water Residents ran into the streets as the blaze raced towards their houses. Others frantically dug firebreaks around their homes. Mrs. Sue Recourt wept when firemen arrived while she was vainly trying to stop the flames with a trickle of water from the garden hose. A stack of firewood was blazing, but the firemen managed to save the house and rescue four goats. Many homes in Eltham were saved after flames had crept to within feet of their fences. Students at North Eltham State School had to be evacuated when the blaze threatened the building. Fire fighters were severely hampered by lack of water and narrow roads. The blaze, which began in above century heat, turned toward Wattle Glen, where two houses were gutted. Then the flames raced towards Hurstbridge to the north. Firemen battling desperately, controlled the fire late this afternoon. Five forest fires were still burning in Victoria tonight.   IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority (1965, March 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131759928 Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 9 March 1965, page 2 ________________________________________ IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority From Rohan Rivett It was the worst week for Victorian fire fighters since Black Friday 27 years ago. On that day one pilot up in a spotter plane said afterwards: "It seemed at times that half the State was on fire." This time, for three days on end, Gippsland men, women and children had moments of conviction that their towns would have blackened into anonymity before the weekend was out. The week began with horror at Eltham on the North-eastern edge of Melbourne. Eltham today is something of an artists' colony. Oil painters, water colourists, potters and sculptors proliferate. A number of University folk have emulated the example of Professor MacMahon Ball who pioneered the way by moving to Eltham and carving a home out of the bush in the thirties. Innermost Eltham is barely 14 miles from the G.P.O. Farthest Eltham stretches miles beyond. It served to illustrate the tragi-ludicrous truncation of Victoria's fire control. Part of Eltham is under the protection of the Melbourne Fire Brigade. But this responsibility ceases at some invisible and incomprehensible line — apparently determined by the meanderings of the water mains. At this point everybody's property throughout the rest of Eltham is dependent on the Country Fire Authority. Half an hour before midday on Wednesday, a fire suddenly started on the West side of Upper Glen road on the edge of Eltham. Before the fire brigade could arrive, it was burning on a widening front through timber and high grass north of Eltham. Two wind changes in rapid succession saw the fire leaping Diamond Creek. With a freshening wind it struck home after home in three streets. More than one of them exploded suddenly as if hit by an incendiary bomb. There is no piped gas in the Eltham area, hence many housewives use bottle gas. The flames outside caused the bottles to explode. Altogether twelve homes were completely incinerated and four more were badly damaged. Thirty prize dogs perished. About three hours after the fire started it raced suddenly down a gully hillside trapping an elderly man. Two other men apparently raced to the rescue. Flames caught the three men within yards of each other, not 200 yards off the Upper Glen Park Road where safety lay. They were burned to death. Next evening an angry and convincing secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Mr. W. M. Webber, came on television and appealed to the people of Victoria to end the ridiculous and dangerous dualism in fire-fighting control. The Eltham fire, he said, had precisely illustrated the situation. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade area touched Eltham, but where the fire had gutted and killed, was just outside its area. Mr. Webber said his union had constantly urged one authority for the State with a complete reorganisation of fire protection. On Wednesday the union had repeated its call for an inquiry into fire protection in Victoria to the Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. "No matter how close the liaison between the two organisations, there are always divided sections of thinking," Mr. Webber told viewers. "I don't know how much tragedy the com-munity can take before it demands that it is properly protected." Rumours that differences in gauge between taps and hose nozzles (as between the two authorities) accentuated the damage were denied by fire chiefs who said that all appliances were now carrying adaptors so that hoses could be linked to mains everywhere. But there is grave concern in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's higher councils at the action of several Federal authorities with projects in and around Melbourne. They are installing non-standard equipment without reference to the State authorities or any dovetailing of appliances and equipment. Public alarm was not diminished by the publication on Friday and Saturday of a heart tearing letter from the young widow of John Lawrence Coleman, 31 year old father of two, who had died in the flames apparently trying to rescue the old man trapped in the gully. By that time, a Vast area of Gippsland was in flames and the troops had been sent in to back up the overworked and often helpless fire-fighters. By Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Stoneham, who has previously demanded a Royal Commission into fire-fighting arrangements, repeated his demand. To add to the Chief Secretary's worries he was publicly rebuked for allegedly implying on television that lives had been lost at Eltham because people went to the wrong place at the wrong time. In a letter to the Press, Professor MacMahon Ball pointed out that two of the men involved were experienced bushmen who had gone "to help an old man in great danger fully aware of the danger to themselves". As Victoria faced its sixth day of total State-wide fire ban, it looked likely that even official resistance was not going to silence the demand for one central authority to control the fire fiend. At the moment, the 400 square miles where two million Victorians live in Greater Melbourne are divorced from the rest of the State in planning, communications, equipment and control of personnel. No one doubts the whole-hearted co-operation and willingness to back each other up of the M.F.B. and the C.F.A., both at top-level and among the firemen themselves. However, when a city straggles so deeply into the country side, the absence of a single authority, to oversee and analyse the fire threat as a whole, suggests suicidal policy of divide and fuel. Emphasis of the tragic loss of a member of a pioneering family who died whilst helping others in his communitybushfire, cfa, country fire authority, fire brigrade, glen park road, heroes, john lawrence coleman, north eltham, victorian bushfires - 1965, volunteers, william john elwers, fire fighter, frank martin, george john crowe, ken gaston, orchard avenue, doug mummery, helen oliver, mrs henry marsden, mrs moureen ellis