A black and white postcard of the Crossways historic inn in Marysville in Victoria. The Rose Series P. 4826. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its c-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters. This postcard was produced by the Rose Stereograph Company as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white postcard of the Crossways historic inn in Marysville in Victoria.THE ROSE SERIES P. 4826/ COPYRIGHT "CROSSWAYS," MARYSVILLE, VIC. POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe A Real Photograph/ Produced in Australia Published by the Rose Stereograph Co./ Armadale, Victoria.marysville, victoria, australia, crossways historic inn, accommodation, 2009 black saturday bushfires, rose stereograph company, rose series, p. 4826, postcard, souvenir

A black and white postcard of the Crossways Cabaret in Marysville in Victoria. A Valentine's postcard V36. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its c-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters. This postcard was produced by Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white postcard of the Crossways Cabaret in Marysville in Victoria. A Valentine's postcard V36.VALENTINE'S/ POST CARD/ A GENUINE PHOTOGRAPHmarysville, victoria, australia, crossways cabaret, crossways historic inn, accommodation, postcard, souvenir, valentine publishing co pty ltd, v. 36, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A black and white postcard of the Crossways Cabaret in Marysville in Victoria published by Murray Views. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its c-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters. This postcard was produced by Murray Views in Gympie in Queensland as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white postcard of the Crossways Cabaret in Marysville in Victoria published by Murray Views.marysville, victoria, australia, postcard, souvenir, crossways cabaret, crossways historic inn, crossways country inn, murray views no. 27, accommodation, 2009 black saturday bushfires

A black and white postcard of the Crossways historic inn in Marysville in Victoria. A Rose Series postcard P. 10058. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its c-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters. This postcard was produced by the Rose Stereograph Company as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white postcard of the Crossways historic inn in Marysville in Victoria. A Rose Series postcard P. 10058.POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe A Real Photograph/ Produced in Australia Published by the Rose Stereograph Co./ Armadale, Victoria. marysville, victoria, australia, crossways historic inn, accommodation, 2009 black saturday bushfires, rose stereograph company, rose series, p. 10058, postcard, souvenir

This is a complete uniform of the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade in the mid 20th century. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade, located today in Mortlake Road, Warrnambool, was established in 1863. The formation was prompted by a fire at the Flying Buck Hotel in Liebig Street. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade has a long proud history of service to the people of Warrnambool and district for over 150 years. The uniform belonged to John (Jack) Sizeland, a firefighter for over 37 years. He retired in 1977. This uniform is of some significance as it shows the type of uniform worn by Warrnambool firefighters in the mid 20th century. It is also of importance because it belonged to a local firefighter, Jack Sizeland. This is a Warrnambool Fire Brigade uniform consisting of:- .1 A black cloth single-breasted jacket lined with black and white material. It has four silver metal buttons down the front and two on the top pocket lapels. The buttons have the inscription ‘Country Fire Authority Victoria’. There are two red and black cloth tabs stitched on the top of the sleeves (‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’). The belt is stitched at the back and loose at the front. .2 Black cloth trousers with a red braid stripe down each leg. .3 Black leather belt with a silver-coloured buckle. .4 Black officer-type hat with red plastic lining, a plastic peaked front with a green backing, a red and black braid around the rim with two metal buttons and a silver-coloured metal badge of the Country Fire Authority. .5 Black cloth (polyester) tie with orange lining. Trousers: ‘C.F.A., I. L. Wise’ Tie: ‘Mark Andrew Made in Australia’ Hat: ‘Emerco, Melbourne, Registered Trademark, This is Your Guarantee for Quality, Made in Australia’ warrnambool fire brigade, jack sizeland, history of warrnambool

Official Opening of the Bendigo Urban Fire Station and Northern Zone Complex by Mr R M Greenwood, M.Eng.Sc., B.E.E., Dip.E.E., Dip.M.E., F.I.E.Aust., Chairman of Country Fire Authority. Saturday, March 23rd, 1985. Northern Zone Complex Staff: Assistance Chief Officer: A Graham. Regional Officers: W Walker, R Morrall. Deputy Regional Officers: D Barber, J Ray. Typist Clerks: H Harrison, A Connelly. Bendigo Urban Fore Brigade: Station Officer in Charge: M Gray. Station Officers: J Chapman, J Clark, R Ellis, S Knight, R Langridge, K Pinner, D Vecht, E Walder. Volunteer Officers: Chairman: Geoff Flack. Foreman: J Turner. Apparatus Officer: P Sheers. Secretary: L Rodda. Senior Firefighters: J Absalom, R Allott, L Anglin, P Brereton, P Brown, B Cole, A Dennis, G Ellis, J Griffiths, A Harrington, R Lindsay, A Hartland, J Meagher, G Monro, T Nolan, W Watters, J Wellard. Firefighters: R Barry, A Boromeo, A Crosthwaite, A Hand. Volunteer Firefighters: P Bouwmeester, M Bracey, E Carruthers, D Dunlop, G Ellis, M Ellis, I Ellis, George Flack, I Johnson, C Lapsley, P Mundy, G Nadort, M Nabbs, J Phillips, T Rosewall, R Schintler, B Sandlant, G Watson, R Watt, R Wee Hee. Reserve Firefighters: D Anderson, P Barker, P Chapman, C Clayton, S Guest, D McCarroll, A Maes, S Pearson, M Ruff, N Wastell, G Wilkinson, D Dean, A Rogers. Life Members: Perc Terrill, Max Ellis, George Ellis, Ron Wee Hee, Stan Price, S/O Vin Lapsley (retired). Ladies Auxiliary: President: Mary Dillon, Secretary: Ruth Turner, Treasurer: Karen Watt. J Clark, T Graham, M Gray, M Gray, Y Yore, M Letts, J Nadort, J Vecht, M Lapsley, D Dunlop, A Flack, L Graham. Junior Brigade Members: M Graham, G Hore, T Hore, D Spiers, A Hore, P Holloway, S Turner. Short History on the Bendigo Fire Brigade which was established on 1st May 1899, taking the form of an amalgamation of the 3 Fire Brigades in existence in Bendigo. . . Back cover 2 photographs original Bendigo Station and new Bendigo Station.event, official, country fire authority, official opening of the bendigo urban fire station and northern zone complex by mr r m greenwood, m.eng.sc., b.e.e., dip.e.e., dip.m.e., f.i.e.aust., chairman of country fire authority. march 23rd, 1985. staff: assistance chief officer: a graham. regional officers: w walker, r morall. deputy regional officers: d barber, j ray. typist clerks: h harrison, a connelly. bendgio urban fore brigade: station officer in charge: m gray. station officers: j chapman, j clark, r ellis, s knight, r langridge, k pinner, d vecht, e walder. volunteer officers: chairman: geoff flack. foreman: j turner. apparatus officer: p sheers. secretary: l rodda. senior firefighters: j absalom, r allott, l anglin, p brereton, p brown, b cole, a dennis, g ellis, j griffiths, a harrington, r lindsay, a hartland, j meagher, g monro, t nolan, w watters, j wellard. firefighters: r barry, a boromeo, a crosthwaite, a hand. volunteer firefighters: p bouwmeester, m bracey, e carruthers, d dunlop, g ellis, m ellis, i ellis, george flack, i johnson, c lapsley, p mundy, g nadort, m nabbs, j phillips, t roasewall, r schintler, b sandlant, g watson, r watt, r wee hee. reserve firefighters: d anderson, p barker, p chapman, c clayton, s guest, d mccarroll, a maes, s pearson, m ruff, n wastell, g wilkinson, d dean, a rogers. life members: perc terrill, max ellis, george ellis, ron wee hee, stan price, s/o vin lapsley (retired). ladies auxiliary: president: mary dillon, secretary: ruth turner, treasurer: karen watt. j clark, t graham, m gray, m gray, y yore, m letts, j nadort, j vecht, m lapsley, d dunlop, a flack, l graham. junior brigade members: m graham, g hore, t hore, d spiers, a hore, p holloway, s turner. short history bendigo fire brigade established 1st may 1899, amalgamation of the 3 fire brigades in existence in bendigo. . .2 photographs original bendigo station new bendigo station.

This fire helmet may have been one used in England or one used in the late 19th century and early 20th century in Australia. It was made by Firmin & Sons of England, a firm which was founded in 1655. It supplies military ceremonial buttons, badges and uniforms and brass and pith helmets of various kinds. It is regarded as the oldest manufacturing business operating in England today. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade was established in the early 1860s and today has both paid and volunteer firefighters.This helmet has no known local provenance but is retained for display purposes.This is a brass helmet with an oval crown with an ornate scrolled curved piece coming over the crown. There is a decoration of a winged dragon breathing fire and on the front side a torch, an axe and a hose with decorative surrounds. There is a breathing hole at the top of the crown in a petal shape. On the sides are metal medallions holding a chin strap which is adjustable. The edge of the crown has a scrolled band. The front peak is angled with a folded metal edge and the rear peak is a concave shape with a brass screw in the middle. Inside the helmet are 8 screws holding the upper decorative arching piece and a black leather band with eyelets tied together to fir the individual head. There is an oval plaque with wording contained within a decorative belt.Firmin & Sons Ltd 108 & 109 St Martins Lane W.C. Late of 153 & 154 Strandwarrnambool fire brigade, history of warrnambool

A black and white postcard of the Crossways Cabaret in Marysville in Victoria published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd. The Crossways was built in the early 1920s and is the oldest building in Marysville. The Crossways historic inn survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires thanks to the efforts of its c-owner Greg Cherry and, in the days after the fires, provided a much-needed refuge to the Marysville community and firefighters. This postcard was produced by Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white postcard of the Crossways Cabaret in Marysville in Victoria published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd.VALENTINE'S POST CARD A GENUINE PHOTOGRAPHmarysville, victoria, australia, crossways cabaret, crossways historic inn, accommodation, postcard, souvenir, valentine publishing co pty ltd, v. 36, 2009 black saturday bushfires

Isabel Wells was born in Beechworth in 1914. Her father, Mr. Newey, was a butcher; his shop was in Ford street and he took over from his grandfather. The family business, along with the local residents, was supplying the main government institutions in the region, like Mayday Hills Hospital and The Ovens and Murray Home, making a large percentage of his profit. Mr. Newey was also a captain of the fire brigade and Isabel mentioned that there were more fires happening in those days. The menace of a huge fire was impending in Beechworth for many years, due to the lack of adequate water supply and the absence of trained firefighters. The first fire brigade in the town was voluntary and was formed in 1858 under Superintendent Luke Reilly. A few other schemes deployed the following years, with all failing to sufficiently control the fires that occurred, until the creation of the first reliable fire brigade in the 1870s. The worst fire in the town's history happened on 23rd March 1867; it swept through many shops and the post office, leaving behind a damage cost estimated at £12,000. Isabel's mother was in a wheelchair, suffering from osteoarthritis; thus, Isabel had taken over the responsibility for looking after her mother and assisting her with daily living needs and personal care activities. She used to play golf and tennis and she was a member of the town tennis club. In terms of social life, Boxing Day was a big occasion for the town, with horse-races and games taking place. According to her narration, the use of cars was a turning point in the town's social activities, since people were able to visit nearby places and take day trips, such as having a picnic at Lake Kerferd or Buffalo. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke. Isabel's account of her life in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant as it offers valuable information about the business activity in the region and provides a deeper insight into the operation of butcher shops and meat supply during the first half of the previous century. Additionally, it offers invaluable information about the everyday life of people living in Beechworth, and highlights aspects of the overall social life and activities.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mrs Isabel Wells/ isabel wells, beechworth, mr. newey, ford street, butcher, mayday hills hospital, the ovens and murray home, fire brigade, 23rd march 1867, fire, osteoarthritis, boxing day, horseraces, lake kerferd, buffalo, picnic, cars, firefighters, luke reilly, wheelchair

The Sunbury Fire Station participated in competitions with other fire stations in......A black and white photograph of ten men from Sunbury Fire Brigade at the Fire Brigade members competition held in Warnambool in 1933.written on back: No 3 / WARNAMBOOL 1933country fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, wileman, herb, barr, clyde, george evans collection

The Sunbury Fire Station participated in competitions with other fire stations in......A black and white photograph of six men from Sunbury Fire Brigade at the Fire Brigade members competition held in Warnambool in 1933.written on back: WARNAMBOOL 1933 / 4country fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, wileman, herb, barr, clyde, george evans collection

This photograph, in late 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires. The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be kept under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for eating with the side benefit to those plants requiring the fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy. alpine fire prevention, sec fire prevention

This photograph, from the 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires.The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for eating with the side benefit to those plants requiring that fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy produced by the SEC Vic. See also KVHS 0413 and KVHS 0414 for other similar photos.kiewa valley tourism, victorian alps, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth

This photograph, in late 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires. The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be kept under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for food, with a side benefit to those plants requiring the fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy. See also KVHS 0413 and KVHS 0415 for other similar photos.kiewa valley tourism, victorian alps, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth

The Sunbury Fire Station participated in competitions with other fire stations in......A black and white photograph five men from Sunbury Fire Brigade in their uniforms at the Fire Brigade members competition held in Warnambool in 1933.written on back WARNAMBOOL 1933country fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, lupson, winston, barr, clyde, uniforms, george evans collection

This photograph was taken when the Sunbury Fire Brigade attended the Fire Brigade Demonstration Day in Geelong in 1936. Demonstration Days were a regular event.A black and white photograph the Sunbury Fire Brigade at the Demonstration Day in 1936 in Geelong.written on back: Geelong 1936country fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, boardman, eric, reilly, jim, firefighting equipment, uniforms, george evans collection

Among the many pressing priorities for Alf Lawrence, the Forests Commission's new Chief Fire Officer, in rebuilding the firefighting capacity after the catastrophic 1939 bushfires was to invest heavily in modern vehicles and equipment. Powered pumps like the trailer-mounted Coventry Climax (Godiva) gave firefighters a much greater capacity than ever before to put the “wet stuff on the red stuff”. Its four-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled, petrol motor produced 38Hp and was connected with either 1½ inch or 2½ inch canvas hose for direct attack, or as a filler pump it could deliver 300 gallons per minute at 120 psi. Some of the first acquisitions included this war surplus veteran shipped over from the London after the blitz bombings of WW2. Fire pump mounted on trailer Two lengths of suction hose, nozzles and some tools.Coventry Climax Serial 3844 FCV No 24fire pump, forests commission victoria (fcv)

The Sunbury Fire Station began in......A black and white photograph of a Sunbury Fire truck with a driver and four young identified men standing at the back.country fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, keays, john, mitchell, malcolm, metrevic, vilnis, baird, ian, fire engines, george evans collection

This photograph was taken when the Sunbury Fire Brigade attended the Fire Brigade Demonstration Day in Geelong in 1936. Demonstration Days were a regular event.A black and white photograph of twelve men from Sunbury Fire Brigade in uniform standing in front of a corrugated iron fence.written on back: No. 2 / Geelong 1936|stamp: Lloyd / chemist / Sunburycountry fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, wileman, herb, boardman, eric, reilly, houses, corrugated iron, construction materials, brick, uniforms, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of the Sunbury Fire Brigade in their uniforms at Bendigo in 1938 with their trophy.written on back: Bendigo 1938 / E. Boardmancountry fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, boardman, eric, uniforms, wileman, herb, barr, clyde, lupson, winston, awards, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of a group of twelve men from the Sunbury Fire Brigade in their uniforms.written on back: Boardman|stamp: Lloyd Chemist Sunburycountry fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, boardman, eric, uniforms, wileman, herb, barr, clyde, reilly, james, awards, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of a group of eleven men from the Sunbury Fire Brigade in their uniforms.written on back: 5 WARNAMBOOL 1937country fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, boardman, eric, uniforms, wileman, herb, barr, clyde, reilly, james, awards, george evans collection

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.First used in 1955Rakehoebushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts.Fire tool used before the introduction of RakehoesRakut - Fire Rake and cutting toolGreen and red coloured handle and 020 marking indicated which FCV District the tool belonged tobushfire

The Sunbury Fire Station had demonstrations in......A black and white photograph seven young identified men standing with a fire hose and reel at the Fire Brigade Demonstrations.country fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, keays, john, muir, kevin, mccarthy, ron, wertich, andrea, baird, ian, fire engines, fire fighting equipment, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of ten men from Sunbury Fire Brigade in uniform.stamp: Lloyd / chemist / Sunburycountry fire authority, firefighters, sunbury fire brigade, sunbury, wileman, herb, boardman, eric, reilly, james, lupson, winston, barr, clyde, uniforms, trees, fences, george evans collection

"Edna Barrie is one of countless women who have played a crucial role in the Melton communityover its history. She was a tireless volunteer and a stalwart of the community who helped to keep many organisations running and thriving. Edna was born in 1918 into a family with deep roots in Melton. Her grandmother Ann Dowling arrived in the colony from Ireland with her two sisters in 1855. Ann purchased land in Melton and settled on the Ballarat Road (High Street) at Ryans Creek with her husband Henry Myers. The three Dowling sisters had ten children between them who attended Melton State School No. 430, as did Edna. Edna was involved with the Melton branch of the Country Women’s Association for 50 years and was an active member of the Melton Mechanics’ Institute and the Melton Uniting Church throughout her life. She was involved with the local CFA branch from 1942. As a member of the CFA’s Women’s Auxiliary, Edna helped raise funds and provide meals to the firefighters. Edna was a founding member of the Melton & District Historical Society in 1968, and was passionate about preserving and sharing local history. The formation of the society at that time, during a period of increasingly rapid growth for the municipality, was crucial, ensuring that many photos, documents and stories of early Melton were not lost".Newspaper clippings about Edna Barrie local identities