Yields information about Sturt Street east end in the late 1920's or early 1930's with motor cars and people.Black and White photograph mounted on heavy cardboard backing. Image titled "Sturt Street Ballarat", with a view from the median strip looking east with an ESCo tram at the bottom of the street. Has a number of motor vehicles in the photo, probably late 1920's early 1930's. Prominent in the photo is the store, Suttons store along with and "Indian Store", Alf Dawson - ironmonger, The Courier , and Seidel Bros shoes and boots. Has 7 Velcro dots on rear and marks where mounting devices have been removed on the rear. Note image scanned in two runs through a scanner, resulting in the shading in the image file. trams, tramways, sturt st, suttons, esco

Demonstrates the use of horse trams as trailers after the start of the electric trams in Ballarat and the street scape and tramway loading at the same time.B&W print of an ESCo tram just past the intersection of Doveton St. and Sturt St. travelling east along the north side of Sturt. Steet towing a heavily laden horse tram as a trailer. Photo appears to be taken soon after opening of the electric trams, as the tram does not have any destination box above the driver. Possibly summer 1905/1906. Numerous people in the street, some horse drawn vehicles in the photograph. Shows buildings along the south side of Sturt St. and part of the verandah of the building at the NE corner of Doveton St. On textured photographic paper. For a list and description of the same base image see Archives file - "Notes on ESCo Tram towing a heavily loaded trailer" 2nd copy added 6-8-2016 from a donation of Mike Ryan via Hawthorn Tram Depot.On reverse side - black ink stamp "E.G.Butland" Copy 2 has "TMSV 332 Flinders St, Melbourne 3000" stamped on the rear.tramways, trams, sturt st, trailers, horse tram, town hall, esco

Demonstrates aspects of Ballarat tramway operation with horse tram trailers, Sturt St buildings, yields information about the appearance of Ballarat in colour.Colour postcard, presented within a wooden framed image of an ESCo tram just past the intersection of Doveton St. and Sturt St. travelling east along the north side of Sturt. Street towing a heavily laden horse tram as a trailer. Photo appears to be taken soon after opening of the electric trams, as the tram does not have any destination box above the driver. Possibly summer 1905/1906. Numerous people in the street, some horse drawn vehicles in the photograph. Shows buildings along the south side of Sturt St. and part of the verandah of the building at the NE corner of Doveton St. For a list and description of the same base image see Archives file - "Notes on ESCo Tram towing a heavily loaded trailer" On rear is "Made in Germany", areas for correspond, a Victoria one penny postage stamp, an din the bottom right hand corner, "09 3851" The card has been addressed to a Miss Seymour "Larramea", Mulwala NSW. Has a handwritten note to her sister (signed Flo?) about a trip arrangements to Melbourne and other details. Date 13 April, but year not apparent. Has been postmark, Melbourne (appears)In pencil along top edge "9269 V and $5"trams, tramways, sturt st, trailers, horse tram, town hall, esco

Demonstrates aspects of Ballarat tramway operation with horse tram trailers, - copy of a postcard photograph.B&W print of an ESCo tram just past the intersection of travelling east along the north side of Sturt. Steet towing a heavily laden horse tram as a trailer. Photo appears to be taken soon after opening of the electric trams, as the tram does not have any destination box above the driver. Possibly summer 1905/1906. Numerous people in the street, some horse drawn vehicles in the photograph. Shows buildings along the south side of Sturt St. and part of the verandah of the building at the NE corner of Doveton St. Horse Trailer No. 4 In top of image are the words "Town Hall and Sturt Street, Ballarat" Two copies Larger version than normal, obtained by Bill Scott for publication. For a list and description of the same base image see Archives file - "Notes on ESCo Tram towing a heavily loaded trailer" See Reg Item 4370i1 for a colour postcard.On rear of copy 1, "WFS Collection" in ink and on rear of Copy2 - "William F Scott" address label and "WF Scott collection" in ink.trams, tramways, esco, horse trams, postcards, doveton st, sturt st, tram 8, tram 2

Yields information about trams used, services and buildings in Sturt St near Grenville St in the ESCo era c1914.Black and White photograph mounted on heavy cardboard backing. Photo of Ballarat ESCo trams near the Grenville City terminus - two trams, left hand one has a advertisement for Viceroy tea on the front dash panel. Companies in image are: Mechanics Institute Library, C. Marks, A. E. White, Indian Depot, Peakes and Gas Co. Has the Mechanics Institute building, Town Hall building on both sides of Sturt St. Some early motor vehicles - c1914? From a Railway Photograph? Has marks from old support tape on rear. Note image scanned in two runs through a scanner, resulting in the shading in the image file.trams, tramways, sturt st, town hall, grenville st, esco

Yields information about trams used, services and buildings in Sturt St near Lyon St in the ESCo era c1914.Black and White photograph mounted on heavy cardboard backing. Photo of Ballarat ESCo trams east bound in Sturt St. Photo taken from the Ballarat City Fire Station tower, looking East to Mount Warrenheip. Has St Andrews Kirk and St Patricks church and Harry Davies & Co. Drapers buildings. Some early motor vehicles - c1914? From a Railway Photograph? Has marks from old support tape on rear. Note image scanned in two runs through a scanner, resulting in the shading in the image file.trams, tramways, sturt st, town hall, grenville st, esco

Yields information about the city tram terminus, Sturt and Lydiard c1971 and the motor vehicles in use.Black and White photograph mounted on heavy cardboard backing. Photo of Ballarat No. 26 with the destination of Victoria St at the city tram terminus in Sturt St. Has many motor vehicles in the photograph along with some pedestrians. Town Hall in the background. Has parts of old support tape on rear. Note image scanned in two runs through a scanner, resulting in the shading in the image file.trams, tramways, sturt st, town hall, city, tram 26

In 1960 seventy-four commandos from 2 Commando Company left Point Lonsdale at 6pm on February 17 to cross The Rip in an exercise raid on the Portsea officer school. Shortly after departing, a strong tide caught the raiding party and pushed them out to sea through The Rip, where 10-metre waves capsized many of the kayaks and amphibious vehicles. Many of the men were picked up by larger rescue boats, only to be overturned once again in the heavy seas. Warrant Officer George Drakopolous and the driver of his amphibious DUKW, Private Eddie Meyer, both drowned as their vehicle sank. Eight of the commandos were rescued in Bass Strait after being picked up by an Italian ship, the Toscana. Commando Roger Wood helped others board the Toscana safely but was washed off a rope ladder by a monster wave and into the sea. His body was never found. It remains one of Australia's least-known peacetime military tragedies.One of the later disasters around the Rip between Points Nepean and Lonsdale. The 'Queenscliffe' lifeboat turned out to search for survivors without success Paddles from a Mk3 foldaboat used in ill fated commando training exercise in 1960the rip disaster, kayaks, oars

Black and white postcard of an electric tram towing a heavily loaded former horse tram trailer in Sturt St Ballarat. Photo appears to be taken soon after opening of the electric trams, as the tram does not have any destination box above the driver. Possibly summer 1905/1906. Numerous people in the street, some horse drawn vehicles in the photograph. Shows buildings along the south side of Sturt St. and part of the verandah of the building at the NE corner of Doveton St. See pdf file for holdings of the same photograph in different formats and reproductions, titled "Notes on ESCo Tram towing a heavily loaded trailer – Sturt St Ballarat"Demonstrates the use of horse trams as trailers after the start of the electric trams in Ballarat and the street scape and tramway loading at the same time.Black and white postcard made by Valentine & Sonsballarat, sturt st, trailers, horse tram, town hall, esco

Booklet 16pp, with paper cover, printed, with description of Society's vehicles, and photographs. Included is a brief history of Ballarat Vintage Tramway, Ballarat Tramway's. Revised by William F. Scott from the original editions by Campbell Duncan, when published as "Ballarat's Tramway Preservation Project" 1973 and 1976. 155.1 - printed by Baxter and Stubs 155.2 - printed by J. A Hoskins & Son 155.2 is printed on heavier paper both cover and inside sheets. Record updated and images added 19/8/2013.trams, tramways, btps, ballarat, museum

Relates to Chevrolet Armoured made in USA during WW11.Technical manuals and User Handbooks were essential equipment for Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) tradesmen permanently attached to Armoured Corps regiments as Light Aid Detachments (LAD) or Tech Support Troop (TST) and were responsible for repairs and maintenance of a nature beyond the expertise of AFV crewmen and just short of major rebuilds undertaken by Base Workshop detachments.Research vehicleBuff coloured soft cover manual being Technical Manual Ordnance Maintenance Transmission, Transfer Case, and Steering Systems for Medium Armoured Car T17E1. Published by War Department ( USA ) 7 October 1943.Heavy ink stamp on cover " Archive Copy Location " then follows in pen " 3/A/1". In red ink top right corner " T10 { or} T16"

1930 AA Ford 1.5 tonne (30cwt) truck. Originally owned by Blakiston & Company, Geelong. Built in 1930, this truck carried wool and general goods in Geelong and the Western District until the early 1940s. It was restored in 1989-1990 by David Malkit Automotive, Belmont, Geelong East Technical School. Specifications: 4 cyclinder side valve engine 201 cu.in. capacity 24 hp (R.A.C.) rating 40 bhp @2200rpm Optional 4 speed non-synchronised gearbox Heavy duty rear axle with torque rod Transverse front springs Cantilever back springs Coach built cab and tray bodyDark green truck with painted lettering on door and tray. The cabin has a black bench seat, and body has a wooden tray.printed: NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM / GEELONG / BLAKISTON & Co. / Pty. Ltd. / CARRIERS / GEELONG / No 1 Licence plate: WOOL - 30ford, truck, transport, 1930s, vehicles

The article describes a fire incident which took place in January 1965 at Swan Lake, a water reserve at the entrance to Summerland Peninsula, Phillip Island. Due to an extremely heavy infestation of gorse (noxious weed) and natural tea tree scrub, along with poor vehicle access, the volunteer fire fighters could apparently not gauge the extent of the fire. A light plane operator visiting Cr Arthur Hamilton nearby was able to fly Phillip Island Shire Engineer, Jock McKechnie, over the lake to better direct the fire fighters. Swan Lake has many Bunurong Aboriginal middens and short-tailed shearwater rookeries, and, being not far from the Penguin Parade, a fire there posed a direct threat to the birds. The article is significant because it indicates the vulnerability of the Summerland Peninsula reserves to fire, the way the Shire Engineer, local bulldozer contractor and volunteer fire fighters tackled the fire outbreak. photocopy of newspaper cutting. Dark copying at top. Double column heading. Single column black text on white paper28-1-65 EXswan lake phillip island, summerland peninsula, bunurong aboriginal middens, short-tailed shearwaters, mutton birds, little pengiuns, penguin parade, jock mckechnie, cr arthur hamilton, fire fighters, , max stewart, jim jeffery

This is Reub Eagle's North Harcourt orchard. The two workers are Walter Ellis and Dolph Eagle. The spraying equipment is a spray pump mounted on a wooden vat /horse-drawn vehicle and was an improvement on carrying a back pack spray as hoses from the equipment permitted greater ease and mobility. The pear trees are planted in rows spaced twenty feet apart and heavily pruned so that the fruit buds were to grow on the main branches.Photograph is a historical record of orchard/horticultural techniques of the 1920s to the nineteen fifties in Harcourt.B & W photograph shows a view of two men using hand sprays in a pear orchard. The equipment is a spray pump which is being drawn by a horse

Poster - A3 full colour printed on heavy paper, titled "Light Rail towards 2020", advertising an exhibition show casing the finalists in a tertiary design competition for a futuristic transport vehicle for the year 2020. To be held at the State Library of Victoria October 2006. See: http://www.butterpaper.com/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=633&page=1 accessed 29-6-2017 and printed and stored with item. Sponsored by lab.3000, Alstom, Yarra Trams, United Group and the State Library of Victoria - has their logos.trams, tramways, tramcars, competition, alstom, yarra trams, united group

Block mounted photograph of a scene c1934 at St Kilda Junction, featuring re-surfacing of the junction tram track - used on page 3 of the December issue of Bellcord. "St Kilda Junction looking northward as tramway roadworks near completion. Workmen are dispersing gravel to cover recently applied bitumen, perhaps from the tanker (centre). Ballast Motor 11 pushes a ballast trailer ahead of W2 571 to St Kilda Beach and a second car to East Malvern. A horse drawn tower wagon (left), heavy roller (foreground) and private motor vehicles stand by. On the Punt Road corner is a petrol station advertising a then popular brand, Atlantic Ethyl, advertising Ford cars. Segments of the intricate junction overhead and trackwork are visible." 2nd copy added from the Donation by David Webb of the Keith Kings collection - in box 89.trams, tramways, st kilda junction, tower wagon, trackwork, freight tram, ballast motor, trailers, tram 11, tram 571

.1 - Set of 9 Tramway Union badges and other badges pinned to a piece of heavy blue cloth with sewn edges comprising 5 Public Transport Union (PTU) badges, three Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees Association (ATMOEA) badges, three The Met number lapel badges (Nos. 1121, 2416 and 3817), one RSL tie clip and one tie clip with a wheel inside a black background, with a "LEGA" .2 - AMTOEA badge in a plastic bag as would have been received by the member - brass back with pin clip on rear with blue surround and red around the state name. .3 - PTU badge in a plastic bag, brass, with clip missing, black surround, with red vehicles, green map of Australia and yellow around the map. Has a staple in the plastic bag. http://www.rtbu.org.au/a_short_history accessed 2/12/2019, notes that the PTU formed in 1993 and renamed RTBU in 1998 to reflect the impact of privatisation.trams, tramways, badges, unions, ptu, atmoea, rtbu

These horse-drawn wagons were early transport vehicles used for hay or heavy loads of timber or related farming goods. Designed in the early 18th and 19th centuries, these items found within the Churchill Island heritage collection were used throughout the private ownership periods of the Island.Blue wooden wagon with red metal wheels suitable for one horse - a bag lifter is operated from side of wagon.farm machinery, wheat, horse drawn vehicles, wagon

Report - 18 pages plus yellow card covers with brown comb binding titled "Public Transport Study - Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and St Kilda - Executive Report", prepared by the Ministry of Transport, January, 1983. Report looks at the patronage decline on the two heavy rail lines, transport in the area, patronage, comparison of possible services, operating costs, vehicles, bus services, traffic priority and possible light rail services. Has diagrams and maps.trams, tramways, st kilda, port melbourne, light rail, conversion, transport

Set of three public transport vehicles photograph sheets in the style of those supplied by Los Angeles (See Reg Item 370). .1 - Class E1 Motor Omnibus - Nos. 600 - 624 - provides a front three quarter view, two interior views and front and rear steps. .2 - ditto - copy of above on heavy paper. .3 - Class W7 - tramcar - three quarter view, interior - saloon and smoker and entrance steps - copy of an original document. Not known when made - 1960c?On rear in pencil: .1 - (8) .2 - (12) .3 - (11)trams, tramways, mmtb, w7 class, buses

Aerial photograph of Elmore Field Days 1969. Photo is attached to heavy card backing. Image shows Field Days site with exhibitor stands. Lines of parked vehicles along roadside. Adjacent to the site is an anabranch of the Campaspe River. A sticker on top of photo states ' Oblique Aerial photograph of Elmore Field Days - 1969'event, agriculture, elmore field days, 1969

Bridal couple, Madeleine and Richard Greco, and their bridal party, caught a tram to their wedding ceremony at the Old Treasury Building, after their vehicle was held up in heavy traffic.Has a photo inside tram number 6045Newspaper clipping from the Age titled: "Carriage, of sorts, gets pair to wedding on time"route 48, weddings, tram 6045, e-class tram, tramways, trams

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

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Mobile vehicle radio with handsetAmalgamated Wireless VFH FM Model 25Mbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

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

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Mobile Radio with handset in case Similar to item A/012Tait 1163FM on metal box plus serial number Tait T499 miniphone on radio unit plus serial number bushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Mobile vehicle radio with handsetKG107bushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Radio with handsetFPI Series 2bushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

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

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