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Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Back pack (for radio gear)
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Back pack used ...Back pack used to carry portable two-way radios and spare batteries to remote bushfiresCanvas backpackFCV Radio Labbushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Back pack (for personal gear)
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Canvas bag issued ...Canvas bag issued to FCV staff to take personal belonging to bushfiresCanvas Bag for personal gearRus Ritchie, Divisional Forester, Wangarattabushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Uniform - Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) tie and epaulets (to be worn on polyester shirt) as dress uniform, pre 1984
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Polyester shirts ...Polyester shirts plus a green tie and epaulets were the only form of dress unform issued to FCV staff. In later years a brown tie was available. Blue work overalls and safety boots were issued for bushfire work. These were replaced with the now familiar bright green overalls in about 1984. There were no dress pants, jumpers, jackets or shoes issued. This led to a long running dispute between the staff association and the Commission over departmental uniform policy at the time. David Parnaby was a District Forester and accomplished cartoonist who provided insightful and humorous commentary on uniforms through the Victorian State Forester’s Association Newsletter.Example of early staff uniform.Green polyester tie with yellow stripe and round FCV logo. Green FCV epaulet to be worn on polyester shirt as dress uniform. uniforms -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Safety hardhats
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country The Forests ...The Forests Commission took safety very seriously, long before it became standard practice in the bush. The Chairman of the Commission, Alan Threader, personally chaired the safety committee Sandy Dobbin was appointed as the first "safety officer" in the early 1970s There were many innovations including safety boots and safety hardhats. Safety hardhats. One new hat with "two trees" FCV logo. One with hat with older style FCV sticker belonging to District Forester Col Almond (decorated with logos from the amalgamated CFL agencies). -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Wicker basket to transport seedlings
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Seedlings were ...Seedlings were lifted from seedbeds in FCV nurseries, usually early in the morning, then packed to be transported by road or rail. The seedlings risked damage if they dried out. These baskets were used to transport and protect open-rooted pine seedlings. Thought be used at French Island in about 1920.Large wicker basket used to transport seedlings With metal locking mechanism and wicker handle Donated by FCV forester, Bert Semmensnurseries, plantations -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
ICI Explosives Sampler
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country The Forests ...The Forests Commission had a large and active engineering branch which was often called upon for major demolition or quarry work. Most overseers, as well as some foresters, were trained in the use of explosives to “blow stuff up” such as removing stumps and rocks from roads. Districts usually had a small powder magazine tucked away in the bush for storage of gelignite and detonators.Sample board showing examples of explosives and detonatorsroad construction and maintenance. -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Sirex wood wasps
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country In 1949 ...In 1949 the Commonwealth Forestry and Timber Bureau proposed a national planting program to make Australia more self-reliant in timber products after the shortages experienced during the war. The threat of introduced sirex woodwasp from Europe in the early 1950s and its eventual discovery on the Australian mainland in 1961 brought the softwood plantation program into question. However, quarantine and control measures using tree destruction and a nematode parasite was put in place.Sirex noctilio was a serious threat to softwood plantations in AustraliaSirex wood wasps encased in resinplantations -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Pulpwood billet hook
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Pulpwood ...Pulpwood was often split by hand or with black powder splitting guns into more manageable sizes and cut into 8 foot lengths (or billets). Billets were first stacked endwise to drain the sap and lighten the load before they were loaded by hand onto flat bed trucks for transport to the mills. This long length metal hook was used to pull and manoeuvre the pulpwood billets onto the truck. The advent of excavators in logging operations in the 1970s led to the loading and carting pulpwood in long tree lengths.Long steel tool with handle on one end and hook on the other. -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Driptorch - Firebug (hand held), c 1985
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country The origins ...The origins of the humble handheld driptorch have been lost in time. They are widely used for ignition in controlled burning operations in forest and grasslands. The “Pacific Forester“ with its short central wand and somewhat leaky ball-valve was made by the American Wajax company in the 1940s. The Pacific Forester is slightly different in design from the more robust and common “Panama” driptorch first manufactured in 1933 and used extensively by Queensland cane farmers. The Panama is closely related to the current “Firebug” used in Victoria which is manufactured by Rodney Industries in Brisbane and has an offset wand design which gives it good balance. The fuel is a mixture of petrol and diesel and every FCV District had their own closely-guarded secret formula ... 2:1, 3:1, 1:1, 4:1 or 3:2 ratio. There was also the choice of 91, 95 or 98 octane petrol mixed with summer or winter diesel. Occasionally some of the old Avgas or Jet-A1 lying around the depot was added with a splash of engine oil to make the mixture stick to the fuel to be ignited. The fuel mixed also varied between autumn or spring, heathland, mixed forest, or high-intensity slash burnsCommon driptorch used throughout AustraliaDrip torch with handle Wand has loop and valve. The loop is designed to assist with even flow of fuel which flows out onto the burning head of the wand. Pressure equalising value in top of aluminum fuel container which holds 4 litres of burner mix. Gravitational feed of the driptorch allows the unit to drip fire, making it simple and quick to operate. Instructions for use. CF+L written with texta pen.bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Driptorch - hand held - unknown date, design or manufacturer, c 1950s
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country The origins ...The origins of the humble handheld driptorch have been lost in time. They are widely used for ignition in controlled burning operations in forest and grasslands. The date, origins and manufacturer of this particular model are unknown. The “Pacific Forester“ with its short central wand and somewhat leaky ball-valve was made by the American Wajax company in the 1940s. The Pacific Forester is slightly different in design from the more robust and common “Panama” driptorch first manufactured in 1933 and used extensively by Queensland cane farmers. The Panama is closely related to the current “Firebug” used in Victoria which is manufactured by Rodney Industries in Brisbane. The fuel is a mixture of petrol and diesel and every FCV District had their own closely-guarded secret formula ... 2:1, 3:1, 1:1, 4:1 or 3:2 ratio. There was also the choice of 91, 95 or 98 octane petrol mixed with summer or winter diesel. Occasionally some of the old Avgas or Jet-A1 lying around the depot was added with a splash of engine oil to make the mixture stick to the fuel to be ignited. The fuel mixed also varied between autumn or spring, heathland, mixed forest, or high-intensity slash burnsEarly driptorch designDrip torch with handle Wand has loop and valve. The loop is designed to assist with even flow of fuel which flows out onto the burning head of the wand. Soldered tin fuel container which holds burner mix. Gravitational feed of the driptorch allows the unit to drip fire, making it simple and quick to operate. bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Burning wand - kerosene, c 1950
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country The origins ...The origins of the humble handheld driptorch have been lost in time. They are widely used for ignition in controlled burning operations in forest and grasslands. This "home made" burner wand uses kerosene and dates from the 1950s. It has an unusual long handle with a bend and wick one one end.Unusual "home made" design Long handle burning wand with a wick at one end. Brass flow valve in the middle. Base attached to a container of kerosene and has a screw cap. bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Canvas fire hose and roll carrier
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Method ...Method of carrying rolled up canvas fire hose. Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled. Canvas fire hose and roll carrier. The wire handle separates in the middle to release the hose rollbushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Fire hose nozzle(s) with Y joint and brass attachments
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Hose nozzle size ...Hose nozzle size can affect the stream of water. A smaller hole puts out a longer stream but with less volume. A longer water stream is useful when trying to extinguish fire or sparks high in the tree tops. They were often used with high pressure pumps like the Pacific Marine.Aluminum fire hose nozzle(s) with Y joint and interchangeable brass attachments For 1.5 inch hose with screw attachments rather than modern twist-camm locks. The main nozzle is aluminum alloy and the interchangeable nozzles are made of brass.bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Y Valve
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Y valves were ...Y valves were used to split water supplies so it could be directed to a number of locations on a fire. In this case four outlets with two controlling valves. Canvas 1.5 inch hose was normally attached Screw connections rather than twist-camm locksY ValveYarrawonga Forests Commissionbushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Photo - Royal Australian Engineers - Forestry Company
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Soon after ...Soon after the outbreak of World War Two, the British Government requested experienced forestry soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada to be deployed in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. The first Forestry Company (2/1) was based in Sydney with men from NSW, Queensland and South Australia, led by Captain Cyril Richard Cole, a professional forester from the Australian Capital Territory. The second Forestry Company (2/2) included many Forests Commission staff, local sawmillers and experienced bushmen from Victoria, WA and Tasmania including veterans of the First World War. They were led by Captain Andrew Leonard (Ben) Benallack, a graduate from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1922. Both Forestry Companies sailed from Fremantle on the Stratheden in late May 1940 and landed in England not long after the evacuation of Dunkirk. The foresters were recalled to Australia at the insistence of Prime Minister John Curtin in late 1943 because of the War in the Pacific. After reequipping and some refresher training in jungle warfare at Kapooka the 2/2 Forestry Company was deployed to Lae in Papua New Guinea in May 1944. This photograph was probably taken in Australia before deployment to PNG.Photo in wooden frame of Royal Australian Engineers Forestry Company -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Presentation plaque from the "Woodpeckers"
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country In the post-war ...In the post-war era from 1947 to the mid-1980s, the Forests Commission sponsored Australia's only military sawmilling unit, the 91 Forestry Squadron. It was a special reserve unit of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). Established and commanded by Commission forester and WW2 veteran, Major Ben Benallack, the "Woodpeckers" as they were known comprised a small pool of specialised soldiers capable of rapid mobilisation in the event of need. Several other Victorian departments such as the State Electricity Commission (SEC) did the same thing who supported a construction squadron based at Newborough in the Latrobe Valley. The scheme created a very active and capable part-time military group that completed many worthy projects across the State. In addition to their military training, the Woodpeckers operated bush sawmills, built timber bridges along the Murray River, the Snake Island Jetty, forest roads and performed various demolition tasks.Presentation plaque from the "Woodpeckers" Mounted on polished wooden burl -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Roll of Honour, State Forest Department
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Honour boards ...Honour boards and rolls were erected in many local schools, halls, churches and offices as a means of acknowledging the commitment made by the community to the military forces. The criteria used for inclusion of names on an honour board were determined by those creating the board and can vary. This board lists the names of 20 people from the State Forests Department who enlisted in WW1. The most significant name is Albert Jacka VC who was perhaps Australia’s finest fighting soldier, and has the honour of being the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross during WW1, the highest decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Most of the other names have been researched.Roll of HonourMembers of the Forest Service of Victoria who enlisted & went to The Great War 1914 - 1919 -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Portable UHF Radio - Sawtron / Kyodo, c 1980s
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country After the 1939 ...After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. Rapid improvements in technology led to various models of bulky handheld portables with heavy batteries that always seemed to go flat. In fact, batteries were a constant impediment at bushfires. 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 4G 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.Portable UHF Radio with leather carrying case and strap. Charging station. Kyodo Model KC-1109 MOYHU Whitfieldbushfire, radios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Base station radio with handset, Mid 1980s
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country After the 1939 ...After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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 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 4G 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.Base station radio with handsetRC-4B Amalgamated Wireless Australiabushfire, radios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Phone handset with winder
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country Dedicated phone ...Dedicated phone lines were often connected between FCV District Offices and firetowers or local depots. These lines were activated by winding the metal handle to ring the bell at the other end of the line.Bakelite phone with handset and winder. Made of Bakelite.radios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Radio set
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country After the 1939 ...After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne.Radio setManufactured by McLeod Electric - Derrinallumradios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Radio set, STC Star Radio Telephone
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country After the 1939 ...After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne.Radio setSTC Star Radio Telephone Type FR5.1.25-STradios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Forest Phone, Amalgamated Wireless Australasia (AWA), AWA FP-1
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country In the mid 1960s ...In the mid 1960s, Amalgamated Wireless Australasia (AWA) was asked to design a solid-state replacement for the PYE TRP-1 in collaboration with the FCV. The new transceiver was to be more powerful than the TRP-1, with an output power of about 10-12W (compared to 1.5-2W). The set also had to be capable of being used as a walkie-talkie, as well as being suitable for use in a vehicle The FP-1 is a single channel radio that has a crystal for each channel, and an IF frequency of 45 5khz. The receive crystal is 455khz higher than the transmit crystal. It is completely transistorised, and uses AWA and RCA brand transistors. A later version was called the FP5 and had five channels. Introduced to the FCV in the mid 1960sRadio Receiver Forest Phone FP-1 radios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Lafayette Radio Receiver, Lafayette Radio & TV Corp; New York (NY), Model HE-30, C 1961
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country This Lafayette ...This Lafayette radio receiver (model HE-30) is a basic single conversion tube semi-professional short wave communications receiver. It covers 0.55 to 30 MHz in four bands. The multi-frequency bands was used on an experimental basis in FCV Divisional Offices to monitor district radio transmissionsUsed on an experimental basis to monitor fire radio trafficLafayette Radio Receiver HE-30 With operating manualradios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Radio Telephone with handset
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country After the 1939 ...After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne. Little is known about this particular radio handsetField radio telephone with handset.radios -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
FCV testing meter
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country After the 1939 ...After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne. The purpose and operation of this particular instrument is unknown.FCV testing meterMade in the radio laboratory of the Forests Commission Victoriaradio -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Pye TRP-1, Transmitter-Receiver-Portable Radio, Pye Industries in Melbourne, circa 1950
... Ford Street Beechworth, Victoria high-country After the 1939 ...After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. Pye-Electronic Pty Ltd (which had taken over Radio Corporation after the war) decided to design a transceiver to replace the RC16B. Designated the TRP-1, it was considerably lighter and used less power than the earlier RC16B while offering similar or better performance. This radio was used in the Mt Wombat fire tower which overlooks the Strathbogie Ranges and surrounding farmland.Portable Radio PYE TRP-1. radios -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Painting - Oil painting on gumleaf by Alfred William Eustace, circa 1851 to 1907
This gum leaf painting is one of a pair displayed on foil in the same frame. It is typical of many paintings by the self-taught Australian artist Alfred William Eustace (1820-1907). A.W. Eustace, a well-known Australian artist, was born in Berkshire, England, where he was an assistant gamekeeper to the Earl of Craven at Ashdown Park. He migrated to Australia with his wife and children in 1851 and camped on the Ullina and Eldorado Runs on the Black Dog Creek at Chiltern, which was in excess of 50,000 acres of grazing land. A.W. Eustace was employed as a shepherd by Jason Withers and while tending his flocks in the solitude of the bush, Eustace turned his attention to painting and music to while away the long and weary hours. He endeavoured to capture the spirit of the bush painting on board, canvas or tin plate, but as these materials were not always readily available he then started painting on large round eucalyptus leaves from the White and Red Box trees that grew around about him. About 1856 he painted a small picture of the famous Woolshed goldrush and during the next few years became well known in North-East Victoria. John Sadlier, a police officer stationed at Beechworth said that Eustace painted 'some really exquisite scenes. He was of an easy-going dreamy temperament, a student of nature only, despising the works of men. Unfortunately his drawings were on eucalyptus leaves, the largest and roundest he could find and not on canvas, and no doubt have all perished long ago.' In 1876 the Melbourne Age newspaper reported, 'Eustace’s celebrated paintings on gum leaves are again attracting attention,…Mr Eustace is an elegant artist…he seems without effort to catch the colour and spirit of Australian scenery…' In 1864 A.W. Eustace held an Art Union in Albury, and again in 1884 in Ballarat. He exhibited at the Victorian Academy of Arts in 1877 and also held an exhibition of gum leaf paintings at Stevens Gallery, Melbourne in 1893. By 1896 he was receiving orders from heads of states in Europe, with his works acknowledged by Queen Victoria, Emperor Frederick of Germany and the Czar of Russia, as well as the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria. His paintings reflected his ability to paint the sky in his realistic style which is still noted by art critics of the day. A.W. Eustace was also a skillful taxidermist. The collection of birds and animals that can be seen at the Beechworth Museum are examples of his taxidermy skill. When not doing his work, painting or taxidermy, he regularly contributed letters and verse to the Chiltern newspaper, The Federal Standard. A book of verse in his hand writing was presented to The Athenaeum Trust by the Boadle family. In the 1870’s he became interested in spiritualism often being involved in lively debate at lectures and séances. Alfred William Eustace died in 1907 and is buried in the Chiltern New Cemetery with his wife Sarah and one of his daughters, Elizabeth.An oil painting on gum leaf by the well-known Australian artist Alfred William Eustace. He was a self-taught artist during the 19th and early 20th century and a prominent resident of Chiltern. Oil painting on gum leaf by Alfred William Eustace. A scene of a log cabin on Black Dog Creek Road, Chiltern, with Skeleton Hill in the background. The canvas is a juvenile Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) leaf. It is one of a pair of Eustace gum leaf paintings mounted on gold foil, under glass in a brown frame. Inscription on back. Labels on back: Rehoused by The Centre for Cultural Materials/ Conservation, University of Melbourne "Oil on Gum Leaf"/ by Alfred William Eustace/ Donor:- Cam & Connie Boadle/ Wales U.K. Crescent/ MUSEUM/ GRADE/ 24 OCT 1998/ CONSERVATION BOARD ALBURY/ PICTURE FRAMERS/ Shop 15 & 16/ AMP Lane,/ Albury, 2640/ Ph: 02 6021 7088black dog creek, chiltern, alfred eustace, skeleton hill, gum leaf, painting, eustace -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Booklet - Booklet of Selected Verse by A.W. Eustace published 1992, Selected Verse/ A.W. Eustace of Chiltern/1820-1907
Alfred William Eustace was a well-known self-taught Australian artist who spent his spare time painting the local landscapes in the Chiltern area. When not doing his work or painting, Eustace regularly contributed letters and verse to the Chiltern newspaper "The Federal Standard". A collection of A. W Eustace's verse and other writings, written between 1845 and 1899, was presented to The Chiltern Athenaeum Trust by Cam Boadle, a grandson of A.W. Eustace, and his wife Connie. The Chiltern Athenaeum Trust created a booklet of some of his poetry which was published in 1992. Copyright for the booklet is held by Chiltern Athenaeum Museum 1992. In the 1870’s he became interested in spiritualism often being involved in lively debate at lectures and séances. A.W.Eustace was born in Berkshire, England, where he was an assistant gamekeeper to the Earl of Craven at Ashdown Park. He migrated to Australia with his wife and children in 1851 and worked on the Ullina and Eldorado Runs on the Black Dog Creek at Chiltern, which was in excess of 50,000 acres of grazing land. A.W. Eustace was employed as a shepherd by Jason Withers and while tending his flocks in the solitude of the bush, Eustace turned his attention to painting and music to while away the long and weary hours. He endeavoured to capture the spirit of the bush painting on board, canvas or tin plate, but as these materials were not always readily available he then started painting on large round eucalyptus leaves from the White and Red Box trees that grew around about him. About 1856 he painted a small picture of the famous Woolshed goldrush and during the next few years became well known in North-East Victoria. John Sadlier, a police officer stationed at Beechworth said that Eustace painted 'some really exquisite scenes. He was of an easy-going dreamy temperament, a student of nature only, despising the works of men. Unfortunately his drawings were on eucalyptus leaves, the largest and roundest he could find and not on canvas, and no doubt have all perished long ago.' In 1876 the Melbourne Age newspaper reported, 'Eustace’s celebrated paintings on gum leaves are again attracting attention,…Mr Eustace is an elegant artist…he seems without effort to catch the colour and spirit of Australian scenery…' In 1864 A.W. Eustace held an Art Union in Albury, and again in 1884 in Ballarat. He exhibited at the Victorian Academy of Arts in 1877 and also held an exhibition of gum leaf paintings at Stevens Gallery, Melbourne in 1893. By 1896 he was receiving orders from heads of states in Europe, with his works acknowledged by Queen Victoria, Emperor Frederich of Germany and the Czar of Russia, as well as the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria. His paintings reflected his ability to paint the sky in his realistic style which is still noted by art critics of the day. A.W. Eustace was also a skilful taxidermist. The collection of birds and animals that can be seen at the Beechworth Museum are examples of his taxidermy skill. Alfred William Eustace died in 1907 and is buried in the Chiltern New Cemetery with his wife Sarah and one of his daughters, Elizabeth. Alfred William Eustace made a valuable contribution to the culture of 19th century Chiltern and his booklet of Selected Verse gives us an insight into life during that time.22 page booklet of Selected Verse/ A.W. Eustace of Chiltern/ 1820-1907. Printed on thick cream paper with a copy of an oval photograph of the author.a. w. eustace, selected verse, chiltern -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Painting - Oil Painting, Alfred Eustace
This is one of a set of 3 miniature oil paintings by the self-taught artist Alfred William Eustace (1820-1907). A.W. Eustace, an Australian artist, was born in Berkshire, England, where he was an assistant gamekeeper to the Earl of Craven at Ashdown Park. He migrated to Australia with his wife and children in 1851 and worked on the Ullina and Eldorado Runs on the Black Dog Creek at Chiltern, which was in excess of 50,000 acres of grazing land. A.W. Eustace was employed as a shepherd by Jason Withers and while tending his flocks in the solitude of the bush, Eustace turned his attention to painting and music to while away the long and weary hours. He endeavoured to capture the spirit of the bush and painted on board, canvas or tin plate, but as these materials were not always readily available he then started painting on large round eucalyptus leaves from the White and Red Box trees that grew around about him. He became known as the "Bush Artist." About 1856 he painted a small picture of the famous Woolshed goldrush and during the next few years became well known in North-East Victoria. John Sadlier, a police officer stationed at Beechworth said that Eustace painted 'some really exquisite scenes. He was of an easy-going dreamy temperament, a student of nature only, despising the works of men. Unfortunately his drawings were on eucalyptus leaves, the largest and roundest he could find and not on canvas, and no doubt have all perished long ago.' In 1876 the Melbourne Age newspaper reported, 'Eustace’s celebrated paintings on gum leaves are again attracting attention,…Mr Eustace is an elegant artist…he seems without effort to catch the colour and spirit of Australian scenery…' In 1864 A.W. Eustace held an Art Union in Albury, and again in 1884 in Ballarat. He exhibited at the Victorian Academy of Arts in 1877 and also held an exhibition of gum leaf paintings at Stevens Gallery, Melbourne in 1893. By 1896 he was receiving orders from heads of states in Europe, with his works acknowledged by Queen Victoria, Emperor Frederick of Germany and the Czar of Russia, as well as the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria. His paintings reflected his ability to paint the sky in his realistic style which is still noted by art critics of the day. A.W. Eustace was also a skilful taxidermist. The collection of birds and animals that can be seen at the Beechworth Museum are examples of his taxidermy skill. When not doing his work, painting or taxidermy, he regularly contributed letters and verse to the Chiltern newspaper, The Federal Standard. A book of verse in his hand writing was presented to The Athenaeum Trust by the Boadle family. In the 1870’s he became interested in spiritualism often being involved in lively debate at lectures and séances. Alfred William Eustace died in 1907 and is buried in the Chiltern New Cemetery with his wife Sarah and one of his daughters, Elizabeth. Miniature oil painting of a landscape, with creek in foreground and bush and hill behind, by A.W. Eustace, under glass, in original timber frame with beige matte and a twist wire stand. One of 3 miniatures. No signature visiblealfred eustace, chiltern, oil painting, landscape