After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Introduced to the FCV in the mid 1960sRadio Transceiver Forest Phone FP-1 with handsetbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Introduced to the FCV in the mid 1960sRadio Transceiver Forest Phone FP-1 with handsetbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Construction of the Colac-Beech Forest railway line began in 1900 with about 100 men engaged in laying and ballasting the track, as well as others forming the earthworks and building culverts and bridges. The result of this labour saw the railway advance from Colac until it climbed a spur hugging the side of a forty degree slope emerging on top of the ridge at Beech Forest. This photograph was taken 28 miles (45 kilometres) from Colac between Devitt Bros. Siding and Ditchley, just out of Beech Forest. Two 2-6-2 Tank engines of the narrow-gauge A class built by Victorian Railway's Newport workshop, were commonly dubbed 'Coffee Pots'. As well as pulling a load of NQR wagons a NBB saloon car ended the train. The devastation to the standing timber was deliberate: the Engineer-in-Chief of VR ruled that all trees within a certain distance of the railway line were to be cut down. This certainly saved the line from destruction several times in the future.B/W. An NA class locomotive, NQR wagons and an NBB saloon car, all with workmen, going around a bend between Devitt Brother's Siding and Ditchley on the Beech Forest line in 1901.beech forest; ditchley; devitt bros siding, railways;

Built 1942 - 43 to ensure as adequate water supply for fire fighting purposes, after the devastation of the 1939 forest fires. Used by locals as a swimming pool until flooding in the 1980's filled the weir with silt.Colour photograph of Costicks Weir, Old Colquhoun Road, Colquhoun Forest. Shows manmade dam in bush setting. Constructed by building a weir wall across a small natural gorge. Nowa Nowa Victoriavegetation, weir's, local history

Colour slide of a semi trailer loaded with wood and a car in a forest near Euroa. It was during Operation Firewood. Legatees would organise collection of wood from the country and distribute it to widows in metropolitan Melbourne. Other slides show the cutting and loading of wood and delivery to widows in metropolitan Melbourne. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image the best available.A record of Legacy helping widows by sourcing, supplying and delivering firewood. When open fires were the main source of heating, a load of firewood and help moving it, would have been very important to the widows.Colour slide of a semi trailer and a car in a forest near Euroa during Operation Firewood in brown Anscochrome cardboard mount.Printed on front in red ink 'Anscochrome / View from this side / Made in Australia'. Hand written on front 'Euroa group / Loaded up' in blue pen. Printed on reverse in red ink 'Processed by Verycolor photo labs. Melbourne, Victoria'.operation firewood, semi trailers, wood, forests

Forest Hill Police Station Springvale Road Forest Hillforest hill, police station, springvale road

Bushfire behaviour is influenced by many factors including temperature, relative humidity (RH), forest type, fuel quantity and fuel dryness, topography and even slope. Wind has a dominant effect on the Rate of Spread (ROS), as well as fire size, shape and direction. Temperature and relative humidity have major impacts on fuel dryness and therefore upon the availability of fuel for combustion. A thermo-hygrograph measures and records both temperature and humidity. It produces a continuous record by drawing ink traces on a paper chart held in revolving cylinder. Humidity is measured by shortening or lengthening of a bundle of specially treated human hair. Temperature is measured by means of a laminated bi-metal strip of temperature-sensitive metals which bend differentially with temperature change. The recording drum is driven by clockwork which may be geared for rotation intervals of daily, weekly or monthly periods. This particular instrument is a seven-day recorder. Serial number 10186 which probably dates from about 1960. The chart indicates it was last used in March 1979.Used for bushfire research.Clockwork Thermo-hygrographCasella London 10186 Made in England Research Branch. Forests Commission Orbostbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), forest measurement

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;

Colour slide of two semi trailers loaded with wood and several cars in a forest near Euroa. It was during Operation Firewood. Legatees would organise collection of wood from the country and distribute it to widows in metropolitan Melbourne. Other slides show the cutting and loading of wood and delivery to widows in metropolitan Melbourne. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image the best available.A record of Legacy helping widows by sourcing, supplying and delivering firewood. When open fires were the main source of heating, a load of firewood and help moving it, would have been very important to the widows.Colour slide of two semi trailers and cars in a forest near Euroa during Operation Firewood in brown Anscochrome cardboard mount.Printed on front in red ink 'Anscochrome / View from this side / Made in Australia'. Hand written on front 'Transport off. Euroa - Firewood' in blue pen. Printed on reverse in red ink 'Processed by Verycolor photo labs. Melbourne, Victoria'.operation firewood, semi trailers, wood, forests

In order to accommodate its key Otways staff of train crews, station masters and gangers the VR provided departmental housing. Laurie McCabe, a former porter at Wyelangta, a player in the local football team, and married to one of the potato-growing families, was the Station Master becoming the travelling station master and guard in 1930. He was based in Beech Forest and housed departmentally with his wife, Victoria Elizabeth (nee Tann) and their two children.Laurie McCabe, Travelling Station Master and goods Guard, his wife, Victoria, and their two children outside their railway house at Beech Forest. B/W.beech forest; railway; departmental housing;

One of 16 photographs and postcards donated by Mary KarneyColoured postcard of Forrest Caves with people standing on top right side."Happy New Year" "Phillip Island Forest Caves" (Forest as spelt on the card - should be Forrest)forrest caves, forrest caves phillip island, phillip island coastline

used to transfer field measurement data to Melbourne for processingMoore Reed Acoustic couplerForests Commission Victoria Assessmentforests commission victoria (fcv), communications, surveying, mapping, assessment

Commercial realities and bushfires caused the Beech Forest community to re-establish itself around the railway station, away from Gardner Hill. This caused John W. Gardner to subdivide his land on the north side of the railway station. One subdivision was created near the Ditchley railway station on the old racecourse site, and another of 25 allotments forming what became Southorn Street. There were very few takers for these lots nor any buyers for the Ditchley subdivision.Photocopy. 260mm x 159mm. An advertisement for the sale of the Ditchley Park Estate, Beech Forest. Under instructions from Mr. J.W. Gardner Dalgety & Co. Ltd. will sell the subdivision of the Ditchley Park Estate on Tuesday, March 30, 1909, at 2 o'clock. A map of Beech Forest township and the Ditchley Park Estate is attached, as are the terms of sale and a description of the area.. beech forest; ditchley park; land sale; advertisment;

List of members who have received Medical Attendance from Dr. H. L. Atkinson during the past fortnight. Dated May 4. The readable names are: Trevarton, Kellynack, G Colledge, C Mueller, Connell, Ketterer, Davis, Bosson, G Hall, Milne, and Martin.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, trevarton, kellynack, g colledge, c mueller, connell, ketterer, davis, bosson, g hall, milne, martin, court king of the forest

Letter written on blue paper with printed letterhead and emblem, dated January 7th 1877. The letter is from Hy Rowe asking William Rowe to place the name of ? ?elman on their Medical list. Acceptance by Dr. Atkinson enclosed.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court victoria, court king of the forest, william rowe, ?elman, hy rowe

Letter from Ricd Coath of Happy Valley, dated 14 May 1864 claiming sick allowance of the Court as he was unable to attend his usual employment.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, ricd coath

Printed declaration for freedom of any infirmity like to shorten the natural duration of life for Richard Ivey and his wife. Dated January 27th 1864. Also signed at the end by the Court Surgeon (illegible signature.)societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, richard ivey

Printed declaration for freedom of any infirmity like to shorten the natural duration of life for John Ward and his wife. Dated January 27th 1864. Also signed at the end by the Court Surgeon (illegible signature.)societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, john ward

Letter written on paper with printed letterhead. The paper has a business logo in the top left corner: Gunsmiths, Oil & Colourmen. G. & J. Holmes. Wholesale and Retail. Ironmongers & Importers, All printed in a belt in an elliptical shape. Letter is from Jno Holmes, he wishes to resign as trustee because he feels he is not doing justice to the Court because of business commitments. He has enclosed a cheque for £2-17-0 to place to his credit.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, g & j holmes, c smith, court king of the forest, jno holmes

Letter written on blue paper with printed letterhead and dated Aug 15 1875. Letter was written by W. B. Evans and discusses administrative regarding Bro Warren.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, bro warren, w b evans, court he?? of oak

Receipt written on a piece of paper with a green one penny duty stamp attached. 19/12/88 and an initial written over the green one penny duty stamp. Receipt is for fees for Medical services.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest

Letter written on blue paper with printed letterhead and emblem and dated 15 Aug 1866. Letter mentions sending a copy of the Widows & Orphans Fund Laws of the Foresters in the Melbourne District and also one of the Odd Fellows in the Bendigo District. He asks that they take care of the copy of the Odd Fellows Laws as he has to return it as soon as done with. Also some new are being printed & there will be some alterations. Signed by Jas Thos Holl. Impression of seal at the top of the page.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, bendigo united district, widows & orphans fund laws of the foresters, odd fellows, court king of the forest

Receipt for Sick pay written on a piece of paper and dated from 28 September to 15 Nov 1863. Signed William Salter.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, court foresters home, william salter

Letter from Edward Goehler declaring himself off the Sick fund of the Court being able to follow his usual employment.. Signed by Edward Goehler and dated Aug?13 1864. Also signed by H L Atkinson. MD.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, edward goehler, h l atkinson

Letter from Chas Kelynack declaring himself on the Sick fund of the Court being unable to work. Signed by Chas Kelynack and dated Aug?10 1865. Also signed by H L Atkinson. MD.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, chas kelynack, h l atkinson

Letter written on white paper and dated 21 Oct 1865. Letter refers to administration regarding Bro Salter who was in the hospital with fracture of bones in the leg. Signed by Jas Thos Holl, Sec.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, commercial hotel, court foresters home, jas thos holl

Letter written on blue paper with A.O.F. B.U.D. emblem and impression of Court Victoria AOF 3782 Sandhurst and dated 16/7/75. Letter mention 1/2 yearly Medical Fees on a/c of Bro Wilcox, Wes Wilcox, C W Bvegal and Caleb Lewis. Signed by John ?opley, Treasurer.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, court victoria, bro wilcox, wes wilcox, c w bvegal, caleb lewis, john ?opley

Letter written on blue paper and dated April 18th 1867. Letter informing the Court the Medical Officer has granted him leave to go by train to Melbourne for a few days. Signed by William gardner, Happy Valley.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, william gardner