Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of CO Lt Col Mike Naughton, at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, having been flown back to 'Vampire' pad on an American Dustoff helicopter after attending a Sunday afternoon barbeque at the Australian Task Force Headquarters, Nui Dat.photograph, lt col naughton, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, dustoff, helicopter, vampire helicopter pad, australian task force, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, nui dat

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Private Dave Henderson, a wounded forward scout from 8 RAR, as he contemplates the rolling surf at the Back Beach, near the 1st Australian Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Red Cross conducted daily trips to the beach. Pte Henderson suffered a severe leg wound, when shot by a NVA/VietCont, using an AK47 assult rifle.photograph, pte dave henderson, 8 rar, back beach, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, forward scout, nva/vietcont, ak 47

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of 1st Australian Field Hospital Medics Richard Sneigowski, Ron Gillespie and Ray Yates load medivac patients for the short journey Vung Tau Military Airfield to be loaded onto an RAAF C130 medical transport aircraft for the flight back to Australia.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau airfield, vung tau, richard sneigowski, ron gillespie (medic), ray yates (medic), gibbons collection catalogue, raaf, c130 medivac flight, medics

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph at 1st Australian Field Hospital Medics Rob Swincer and Mick O'Halloran steady a stretcher as Capt Ann Hall adjusts the drip bottle for a wounded Digger being transported ambulance to be medivaced by RAAF transport back to Australiaphotograph, 1st australian field hospital, rob swincer (medic), mick o'halloran, digger, capt ann hall, raaf, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, medics, vung tau, wounded serviceman, nurses

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A coloured photograph of a combined "letter tape" back home to Australia for the 8 Field Ambulance Hospital Red Cross girls, Jean Debelle, Winsome Ayliffe and Janice Webb. These short tapes give the girls a feeling of being home to be able to talk to their family and friendsphotograph, 8 field ambulance hospital, red cross, jean debelle (red cross), winsome ayliffe (red cross), janice webb (red cross), gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Private Dave Henderson, wounded forward scout from 8 RAR, enjoys a paddle with a patient mate from the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, while another patient looks on. Two other patients enjoy the open air and sun.photograph, pte dave henderson, 8 rar, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, back beach, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, wounded servicemen

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Nursing Sister, Capt Ann Hall. She is in deep conversation with a patient at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, as he waits his turn to be loaded onto a stretcher to be medivaced back to Australia by an RAAF C130 Medivac flight.photograph, capt ann hall, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, raaf, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, nurses, australian army nurses

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph tt a Fire Support Base, a digger sorting shell 105mm artillery shell casings for transport back to the 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, Phuoc tuy Province. These casings once stacked on pallets were collected by RAAF Huey "slick" helicopters.photograph, 105mm artillery, digger, 1st atf base, raaf, huey helicopter, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, fire support base, australian task force

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of two patients from the 1st Australian Field Hospital, taken to the beach by the hospital Red Cross staff to soak up the sun as a part of their rehabilitation.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, red cross, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, wounded serviceman, rehabilitation, back beach

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Diggers returning to the Red Cross Combi Van for the drive back to the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. The recuperative benefit of these trips to the beach was a major part of the treatment of the diggers.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, red cross, combi van, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers, wounded serviceman, vung tau, rehabilitation

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Carmel O'Shea, from the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. She is a Red Cross staff person and is assisting Private Dave Henderson, a wounded forward scout from 8 RAR, return to the Red Cross vehicle for the trip back from the beach.photograph, carmel o'shea, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, pte dave henderson, 8 rar, combi van, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, wounded servicemen, back beach

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Diggers from the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Thanks to the Red Cross transport, they get regular visits to the beach to soak up the sun.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers, wounded servicemen, back beach

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of three Diggers enjoy a few hours off duty at Back Beach, for some the surf was inviting for the odd one there was the thrill of riding the waves on a surfboard. The Diggers on the beach were watched over by the ALSG Surf Clubphotograph, back beach, alsg surf club, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection..A black and white photograph of a young Vietnamese girl prepares a pineapple for a serviceman on the sand at Back Beach, Vung Tau. The young girls carried two large baskets, on a pile of pineapples, which were very heavy for such a small slip of a girl.photograph, back beach, vung tau, vietnamese children, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of an Indonesian Naval training ship, cutting across the bow of the Vung Tau Ferry HMAS Sydney as she moves through the Sunda Strait on the way to taking 9th Battalion to Vietnam. The sailing vessel repeatedly cut back and forth across the Sydney's bow.photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9th battalion, royal australian regiment, sundra strait, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, indonesian naval training ship

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of ambulatory patients at the back beach near the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. They are being loaded into the Red Cross combi van for the trip back to the hospital after spending time as part of the recuperation program.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, combi van, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, wounded servicemen, rehabilitation

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of - At 8th Field Ambulace Hospital, Vung Tau two Medics chat to Mrs Pearl Copeland as she waits for he son Pte Russel Copeland to be loaded onto a medivac stretcher for the RAAF C 130 flight back to Australia8th field ambulance, vung tau, pte russel copeland, c130 medivac flight, raaf, gibbons collection catalogue, mrs pearl copeland, medivac, medics, wounded serviceman, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of staff and patients at the 1st Australian Field Hospita,l watch patients being medivaced loaded into ambulances for the journey to Vung Tau Military Airfield, to be loaded onto an Australian C130medical transport aircraft for the flight back Australia.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, raaf, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, medivac, vung tau airfield, diggers, medical staff, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a tired and dirty Pte Jack Higgins about to enjoy a peeled orange while his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Company, 7 RAR (1967-1968) watches his company file back into lines upon return to the 1 ATF Base at Nui Dat following the completion of Operation Carolinephotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, nui dat, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the batman, tired and dirty Pte Jack Higgins enjoys a peeled orange, while his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Company 7 RAR (1967-1968) watches his company file back into lines, upon return to the 1 ATF Base, following the completion of Operation Carolinephotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui dat, operation caroline, nui nghe mountains, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the batman Pte Jack Higgins, Chelsea, Victoria, A Company, 7 RAR(1967-1968) files back into lines upon return to the 1 ATF Base, Nui Dat following the completion of Operation Caroline, a search and destroy mission, in the foothills of the Nui Nghe Mountains.photograph, pte jack higgins, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui dat, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, search and destroy mission, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a tired and dirty Pte Jack Higgins about to enjoy a peeled orange while his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell A Coy HQ 7 RAR watches his company file back into lines upon return to the 1 ATF base at Nui Dat on completion of Operation Caroline a search and destroy mission. (1967-1968)photograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui dat, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, search and destroy mission, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, Contact, Contact, late afternoon, Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR. A M60 Machine Gunner looks back as schrapnel from an RPG tears into his side, his Number two is also hitphotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, rpg, m60 machine gun, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, digger, gunner, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph Contact, contact, Contact, late afternoon, Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR. under fire from heavy machingun fire, AK47 and RPG fire. A digger reels back after being hit by enemy firephotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, ak47, machine gun, digger, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Cape St Jacques 'Back Beach'. Medics from 1st Australian Field Hospital enjoying a few hours off duty sailing and surfing. The baech was fenced into areas for Australians, Americans and Vietnamese. The diggers were safeguarded by the 1ALSG Surf Clubphotograph, 1st australian field hospital, cape st jaques back beach, 1 alsg, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, 1st australian field hospital medics, medics, denis gibbons, 1 alsg surf club

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection A black and white photograph of Children at the Catholic Orphanage, Vung Tau which was supported by the Medical Staff of the 1st Australian Field Hospital (1AFH), vung Tau. The Diggers and the nurses, in particular, did an outstanding job of maintaining the health and well being of the orphans. The hospital staff conducted regular medcaps and provided food and clothing sent from relatives and friends back home in Australia. From time to time the orphaned children were taken for a day at Back Beach behind the 1AFH area. The children ranged in age from new born babes to teenagers. Quite a number, who were fathered by "round eyed" servicemen, were abandoned at birth, by Vietnames Bar girsl, particularly those with "dark" skin.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, orphanage, gibbons collection catalogue, catholic orphanage, back beach, vietnamese children, vietnames bar girls, diggers, nurses, denis gibbons

This baker’s wagon or cart transported and delivered bread and other baked goods in the Warrnambool area. It currently has advertising for H.H. Smith & Co. Henry Huntington Smith (1857-1941) owned and operated his Warrnambool bakery in the late 19th and early 20th century. However, the design of the wagon is similar to those used by local bakers in the 1930s and 1940s and probably originated from Stephenson’s Bakery in Warrnambool, which operated around that time. The wagon’s original internal shelves were removed in the early days of Flagstaff Hill so that children could have rides around the village in a horse-driven cart. BAKERS’ HISTORY There were many bakeries in Warrnambool in the 19th to mid-20th century. Each bread bakery made horse and cart deliveries in its allocated zone. SMITH’S BAKERY; – as shown on the wagon’s signage. Henry Huntington Smith (1857-1941) was born and educated in Warrnambool. He worked at Davis’ steam biscuit factory in Timor Street before he began his own bakery business in 1885 near the corner of Fairy and Koroit Streets. A few years later Smith built a new bakery on the corner of Fairy and Lava Street where it still stands today (2025) as Monaghan’s Pharmacy. The building was designed by James McLeod in 1892 as a bakehouse, shop and residence for Smith The address was known locally as Smith’s Corner. Next door to the bakery, at 136 Fairy Street, were stables built by Jobbins and McLeod in 1886 for William Cust. A photograph in the archives of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society shows the 1892 building with four fancy horse-drawn wagons on the street with white-clad drivers and a promotional stand erected with 5 bakers in uniform and the signage “H H Smith & Co, Pastry Cooks and Confectioners”. One of the wagons appears to have “H H Smith” painted on the side. H.H. Smith & Co. placed an Advertisement in the Weekly Times in December 1896 promoting its business as bakers, confectioners and pastry cooks, praising their shop as an ‘ornament to the town’ with ‘neat appointments’ and ‘dainty decorations’. It also boasted of supplying a large number of customers within a twelve-mile radius of Warrnambool. In November 1919 The Warrnambool Standard announced the marriage of Henry H Smith, Mayor of Warrnambool, to Jeannie Samson-Goodman in East Adelaide. In the same newspaper was a notice that Frank Crossley was to open as baker and pastry cook in H.H. Smith’s premises. As well as being the proprietor of the H.H. Smith Bakery, Henry Huntington Smith was a Councillor for the Warrnambool Municipality from 1913 to 1937 and Mayer for two terms. In December 1919 during his first term as Mayor, he was honoured for the work he had done with returning soldiers after World War I, receiving a document in recognition of this work, presented by the Mothers, Wives and Sisters of returned soldiers. Smith was very interested and involved in the community in many roles, including being the Vice President of the first Warrnambool and District Historical Society. STEPHENSON’S BAKERY: – believed to be the past owner of the wagon. The last owner of the bakery was Harold Stephenson. Stephenson was enlisted in the A.I.F. and was invalided home in 1943 before the end of the Second World War. He also served as a Councillor from 1958 to 1976, during which time he served six terms as Mayor for the City of Warrnambool (1966-1973) while he had the bakery. He was very involved in many local organisations including the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club and the Road Race Committee. He died in 1985, lauded as being one of Warrnambool’s “most distinguished civic leaders”. It has been said that the baker injured in World War II invented a special contraption to enable him to get up into the wagon and that he alerted his customers that he was in their vicinity by blowing a whistle. The customers would come out and choose their bread from the back of his wagon then pay him for it. However, another account is given by a man who once earned pocket money by helping the baker on his rounds. He says that it was Stephenson, the owner and manager of the bakery, and not the delivery baker who received a significant injury during the war, making him unable to climb the stairs of his upstairs accommodation at the bakery, therefore causing him to sleep downstairs. At this time in the early to late 1940 Stephenson’s bakery had three wagons, one for each of the delivery rounds. The wagons were painted black and yellow. Two of the drivers were Stan Lake and Ali (Alec) Dean who both had wagons with the covered cabin design. The third driver was Bill Lake who had a flat wagon. Stan Lake delivered in the area around Lava and Koroit Streets, Ali Dean had another round and Bill Lake had the Dennington area. Bread continued to be delivered into the 1960s but by this time the delivery vehicles were motorised. The goods produced at Stephenson’s bakery included bread baked in different shaped tins such as High Tin, Sandwich and Vienna. Some shapes were easily divided into half by breaking them apart, therefore the baker could make two-quarter loaves from a half loaf, satisfying different needs. There was the option of white or brown bread, sweet buns, fruit buns and Boston buns. The baker’s assistant was known to take great delight in ‘trimming’ the broken halves of excess bread and crust, enjoying his treat. THE BAKERY PREMISES: – Southeast corner of Fairy and Lava Streets, Warrnambool. The building retains the original cast iron veranda. Above the veranda, a motif of a wheat sheaf in ornamental plaster can be seen. Inside the building, there are still some of the original fittings. The building was classified by the National Trust in August 1979. After the Second World War, an official system of zoning was introduced as a fair way for the baking industry to operate. In 1949 different pricing was introduced by the Government for either delivered or retail purchased bread. Many of the small local bakeries went out of business after the Government banned zoning. The way was made open for the larger bread manufacturers to enter the local market with cheaper prices. Some of those companies were Mc Queens, Tip Top, Twisties, and Sunicrust, (Mc Queens ‘new’ bakery building was where the current Toyworld shop now stands, is, in the Ozone carpark.) O’Grady’s Bakery, later changing hands and known as Burkes Bakery, was on Fairy Street near the Timor Street intersection, on the North West side. There was also a bakery named Almay. The baker’s wagon is significant because of its association with H.H. Smith’s Bakery in Warrnambool.. The H.H. Smith’s Bakery building on the corner of Fairy and Lava Streets, built in 1892, is classified by the National Trust, August 1979. Smith Street Warrnambool was named after Henry Huntington Smith, who was a Warrnambool Councillor 1913 – 1937 and Mayor 1919 – 1921. Baker’s wagon, often referred to as a baker’s cart. Four wheeled horse-drawn delivery wagon, front wheels smaller than rear wheels. Wagon is clad with metal sheets and lined with varnished timber panels. Wheels have metal rims, wooden spokes and rear wheels have wooden brake pads. Horse shaft is timber with metal fittings. Front has a metal lamp holder, brake lever, metal hand grips and decorative metal foot plates. The wagon has suspension leaves on back and sides and double suspension leaves on the front. Driver’s area at front has a roof, glass side windows and wooden box seat with hinged compartment accessing wagon storage area. Door above back of seat has buckled leather handgrip strap attached, door slides open for access to wagon area. Back of wagon has a wooden step and a split door; top door has ventilation louvers, both doors have metal latches. Wagon is painted cream with brown trim and signage and green step. Remnants of red and green paint are visible; underside of seat panel is painted grey. Wagon advertises H.H. Smith & Co. Baker, a Warrnambool business established in 1885, but is of a more modern design seen around 1930’s and 1940’s and most likely belonging to Stephenson's bakery. Brown signwriting on sides of wagon “H.R. SMITH & CO. / BAKER” Brown signwriting across front of wagon “BAKER” warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, baker’s wagon, h.h. smith baker, warrnambool, henry h smith, jeannie samson-goodman, frank crossley, mayor of city of warrnambool, vice president of warrnambool and district historical society, stephenson’s bakery warrnambool, harold stephenson, warrnambool surf life saving club, road race committee, national trust building, stan lake, bill lake, ali dean, 19th and 20th century bakers, davies steam biscuit factory warrnambool, james mcleod building designer, jobbins and mcleod, william cust, h h smith & co, pastry cooks and confectioners, bakery trade, bread delivery wagon

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Pte Jack Higgins batman to the Company Commander Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Coy Headquarters 7 RAR (1967 - 1968) a heavy pack on his back,with radio, anenna protruding, in the rain, gets a helping hand up a slippery bank during Operation Carolinephotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, operation caroline, nui nghe mountains, gibbons collection catalogue, military cross, the distinguished service order (dso), denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Maj Neville Smethurst MBE 2IC of the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1970-1971) at Ambassador Harry's residence in Saigon. Maj Smethurst has just refused to accept the presentation of the "Polar Medal" from the Ambassador, telling him he was going to receive it back in Australia with his wife and family present. The Ambassador conceded and the medal was put away. Maj. Smethurst then told of his experiences on Antarctia to the assembled embassy officials, while enjoying some champagne cocktails with some delicious "finger food". After spending a pleasant night in Saigon Maj Smethurst returned to Nui Dat.photograph, nui dat, saigon, ambassador harry, maj neville smethurst, gibbons collection catalogue, polar medal, mbe, member of the order of the british empire, 7th battalion, royal australian regiment, denis gibbons