Beech Forest and Otway District Produce Society: (a) Second Prize, D. Towers, for Snowflake, A.W. MacKenzie, Secretary. (b) Seventh Annual Show, 1923, Second Prize, D. Towers, for Best Collection Dressed Forest Timbers, exhibit no. 2, C.J. Brammer, Hon. Secretary. (c) Twelfth Annual Show, Second Prize, D. Towers, Class B Section 2 Ex 1, Cr. J.C. Gardner JP, Pres., W.J. Gray FABI SFAI, Hon. Sec. (d) Fourteenth Annual Show, 27 May 1931, First Prize, D. Towers, Class B Sec 1, Mr J. Perry, President, W.J. Gray FABI SFAI, Hon. Sec. (e) Fourteenth Annual Show, 27 May 1931, First Prize, D. Towers, Class B Sec 2, Mr J. Perry, President, W.J. Gray FABI SFAI, Hon. Sec. (f) Fifteenth Annual Show, 25 May 1932, First Prize, D. Towers, Cup Section 5, J.A. Perry, Pres., W.J. Gray, FCI (Eng.), Hon. Sec. (g) Fifteenth Annual Show, 25 May 1932, Second Prize, D. Towers, B 1/7, J.A. Perry, Pres., W.J. Gray FCI (Eng.), Hon. Sec.beech forest; otway; produce; prize;

Forming the headwaters of the Johanna River and noted for its majestic Myrtle Beech and Blackwood trees, in 1921 the property came into the possession of Mrs Jessie Fry, wife of Mr Thomas Fry, a well-known and respected local bushman and timber getter. Here the family lived and it was Mrs Fry who named the place 'Melba Gully'. Sometime in the late 1920s Mrs Fry was approached by Pioneer Tours, the bus company, to see if she would provide lunches and afternoon teas for their passengers travelling between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell. Mrs Fry rose to the challenge; the Melba Gully Luncheon Rooms were built adjoining the Fry home and she was in business. Mrs Fry was unfailing in her courtesy and kindness. She was also a splendid cook, known for her feather-light scones and sponges. Home-produced strawberries and cream were a special treat. Visitors were also taken on a tour of 'The Gully', often guided by one of her young sons. Melba Gully Visitors Book is testimony to her many satisfied customers. Tom and Jessie Fry sold the property on her retirement in 1947 and the tearooms ceased to operate. It again changed hands in 1958 to Otway residents Mr and Mrs Axel Madsen, and in 1975 they made the magnificent gesture of gifting the 48 hectare Melba Gully to the people of Victoria..Framed painting in oils of a weatherboard house with picket fence, before a backdrop of forest. A figure chopping wood is at the right.Signature of artist John Driver, 1981melba gully, jessie fry, thomas fry, buses, tours, weatherboard house, john driver

Born in the Otways at Tanybryn in 1929 where he spent the bulk of his life he started writing poems in 1999 and since then has had over 100 poems listed. While many poems are memories of what has gone in Paddy's past he also pens about current day events, such as "Bob and Betty", or just about life as he sees it, such as "Diamonds in the Sky".Paddy's poems. The poetry of Paddy O'Connor, the Otway poet. P.J. O'Connor; Apollo Bay (Vic); 2004. vii, 121 p.; illus. Soft cover. ISBN 0 646 44331 3Paddy & Betty O'Connor 61 Wallace Street Colac VIC 3250paddy o'connor; poems; otways;

George Bass and Matthew Flinders made a voyage along the northern coast of Van Diemen's Land in 1798 to prove the existence of Bass Strait. The first vessel to attempt such a passage was the "Lady Nelson" under Lieutenant James Grant. Men sought out Bass Strait without the benefit of a lighthouse for the first half of the 19th Century after which, after several maritime disasters, on 29 August 1848, Cape Otway lighthouse commenced operation. Cape Wickham lighthouse, on King Island, joined its companion at Cape Otway on 1 November 1861.Beacons of hope. An early history of Cape Otway and King Island lighthouses. Donald Walker. 1st ed. Neptune Press; Belmont (Vic); 1981. ii, 154 p.; illus., maps, index. Soft cover. ISBN 0 909131 67 8Signed by author: Donald Walker.cape otway; king island; cape wickham; lighthouse;

An historical series setting out Garratt engines and running stock running between Colac and Crowes (just past Lavers Hill), and then between Colac and Beech Forest in the Otways between 1958 and 1962 when the line closed.Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge "G" Class. "Garratts in the Otways" Part Two. A photographic profile - 1958-1962. Emile D. Badawy (ed.); John Sargent (ed.). 1999; Train Hobby Publications. ii, 56 p.; illus., map. Soft cover. colac; beech forest; crowes; garratt; victorian railways; narrow gauge; emile d. badawy; john sargent;

The third in the historical series outlining the narrow gauge Victorian Railways line from Colac to Crowes, and then Colac to Beech Forest, in the Otways between 1954 and 1962 when the line closed. Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge "G" Class; "Garratts in the Otways" Part Three. A photographic profile - 1954-1968. Emile D. Badawy (ed.). 2001; Train Hobby Publications; Studfield (Vic). ii, 48 p.; illus. Soft cover. ISBN 1 876249 41 2colac; beech forest; crowes; victorian railways; narrow gauge; garratt; emile d. badawy;

The first in an historical series showing the Victorian Railway narrow gauge line from Colac to Crowes, and then from Colac to Beech Forest, in the Otways from 1954 until 1962 when the line closed.Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge "G" Class. "Garratts in the Otways" Part One. A photographic profile - 1954-1962. Emile D. Badawy (ed.); John Sargent (ed.). 1998; Train Hobby Publications; Studfield (Vic). ii, 48 p.; illus., maps. Soft cover.colac; beech forest; crowes; victorian railways; garratt; narrow gauge; emile d. badawy; john sargent;

Arthur V Gregory b.1867, d.1957 worked from studio at 326 Albert Road South Melbourne established by his father G F Gregory in 1852. As Argosy Lemal the ship served as one of the early United States Army communications ships from 1942–1949.Water colour painting in painted gilt frameArgosy Lemal off Cape Otway A.V. Gregorya.v. gregory, water colour, argosy lemal

A family history of the Thomas James McMinn family and the settlement on Block 33 on the Wait-a-while Road, Wyelangta, Victoria.Otway memories. J.K. Loney. Soft cover. i, 53 p.; illus, map. 1971the beechy; roads; forests; sawmills; bushfires; history; visitors' guide; reminiscences; wyelangta;

B/W. 168mm x 246mm. Colac - Beech Forest railway line. From the 27 mile 16 chains line (44.7 km) looking north, between Devitt Bros. Siding (44.1 km) and Ditchley (47 km). On an NA-class locomotive, six NQR wagons, and an open wagon there are workmen throughout. colac; beech forest; railways; devitt bros. siding; ditchley; loco na class

Locomotive 8A, rolling stock, gangers and passengers, somewhere between Gellibrand and Beech Forest.beech forest; gellibrand; railway; loco 8a;

A four-wheeled, two-horse buggy and, further along, two men standing on a railway embankment before laying the track, near McDevitt in 1901A horseshoe curve near McDevitt during the course of construction of the Beech Forest railway, 1901.beech forest; mcdevitt; embankment; railway;

On the Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway line the section from Ferguson to Crowes was closed in December 1954, but reopened as far as Weeaproinah in January 1955. The section to Crowes, left to its own devices, was rapidly covered with vegetation which had to be cleared when rail recovery trains later ran. The track to Crowes was pulled up in 1961. Crowes track being dismantled at the ashpit ready for loading into NQR wagons. colac; beech forest; crowes: railway;

Railway bridge over the Gellibrand River, 1902. Note the people on the roadway bridge in the top left corner. B/W.colac; beech forest; gellibrand; railway;

Drivers were highly skilled enginemen. Taking a train from Beech Forest to down to Gellibrand required the train to be controlled at 10 mph (16 km) without running out of air. When a brake application was made the brakes on the locomotive were applied harder than the train brakes. The brakes locked up and the engine would just slide along. Drivers used a retention valve on the loco, then released the loco brakes so as not to wear out the brake shoes. So the train pulled into Gellibrand ready to pull out again after refilling the loco with water.At Gellibrand, a Down goods train is about to depart the station on 14 December 1955. The train consists of the locomotive G42, a louvre van NO, two NQ wagons and a guard's or brake van NC. B/W.gellibrand; colac; beech forest; railway;

In early 1959 N.B.H. excursion cars were mounted on trains running from Colac to Beech Forest and Weeaproinah. Over the next three years much use was made of them bringing tourists up the line.Beech Forest Station, 21 November 1959. Passengers at the side of N.B.H. excursion cars on the right. B/W.beech forest; railway;

The Webster family disembarking from a 7 NB passenger carriage at Laver's Hill in c.1920. B/W. lavers hill; colac; beech forest; railways;

G41 engine and mixed goods carriages on the southern track nearest the Goods Shed, NQ trucks laden with timber next, an empty line, and further carriages next to the station building at Beech Forest in 1950. B/w.beech forest; colac; railways;

A mixed goods train with G41 locomotive changing tracks just after the balloon reversing loop, with piles of timber on the right and a shed on the left. B/W.beech forest; colac; railways;

From 1945 a sawmill, the Calco Mill, was formed to cart sawn timber initially from the Zappelli's property on Denherts Track. The plant was later shifted to Pul's property and, in 1951, finally moved to a new mill in the Beech Forest railway yard. Potato output also rose, around 280 hectares and was shipped exclusively by rail until 1955. The railway was very busy, in fact so busy that potato farmers and especially saw millers started agitating for road transport.G41 locomotive, four NQR loaded wagons, and a louvred van near the Goods Shed. Next line, three loaded and three empty NQR wagons. In the foreground near the station building, a louvred van. A water tank and timber mill in the background. B/Wbeech forest; railways; loco g41;

On the 1st March, 1959, the first special train was organized by the Australian Railways Historical Society in conjunction with the Kanyana Festival Committee of Colac, Victoria. It proved so popular that additional trains were later organized. Temporarily in storage at Newport railway yards eight NBH excursion carriages were transferred to Colac which ran on the special trains until early-1962. A A.R.H.S. "Kanyana" special excursion locomotive G41, an NC guard's van and NBH excursion carriages at halts at Gellibrand while the fireman attends to the engine requirements (or 'ER' in railways' parlance). The passengers are milling outside the excursion carriages while two are talking to the driver. Houses are in the background. B/W.gellibrand; railways; kanyana special; colac; beech forest; loco g41;

Beech Forest Railway Station was constructed in 1902 and had a number off additions to it over the years. At the far end of the station in 1902/3 was constructed a 'balloon' reversing loop, rather than a turntable or a triangle, which rolling stock used in order to even the wear on the wheels. However, the trains also used it. The Garrett in particular was supposed to be turned every second trip to even out its wheel wear, although this was usually ignored for other reasons. The loop was used throughout the life of the station.Colour. Beech Forest Railway Station showing the 'balloon' reversing loop at the far end. The tennis courts and shelter are in the background.beech forest; railway; balloon loop;

Beech Forest railway station is shown in 1908, with staff and local inhabitants fooling around between snow falls. The collection of sheds and huts was added to and grouped under a common verandah in 1914, after this photo..B/W. Beech Forest Railway Station buildings in the snow. Between the buildings and No.1 Road six people with snow balls, two without.beech forest; railway; snow;

Opened with the line as Bunding its name was changed to Wimba in November 1902 and remained as this until the line closed. The line was briefly flatish at this point until climbing more than 1000 feet to Beech Forest, so a water tank was placed on the side of a hill about 100 metres south of the station. Loco 14A takes water at this tank.B/W. Locomotive 14A, NU louvred van, and others, take water at Wimba in c.1961. Water tank top right.wimba; railway; loco 14a;

On 21 November 1959 yet another special train was run, this time on a G41 engine showing the sign "Puffing Billy Preservation Society, Beech Forest, 25-11-59", with eight NBH excursion carriages and a guard's van. The train stopped at Beech Forest where people removed themselves and wandered around the station. Mixed goods wagons loaded with wood and louvred van rest in the background. Note the delta or 'scissors' crossover between lines in the centre of the picture.B/W. Beech Forest Railway Station with a G41 locomotive, showing the sign "Puffing Billy Preservation Society, Beech Forest, 25-11-59" on track number one, mixed goods trucks on track number three, passengers throughout, and the delta or scissors crossover line, at 21 November 1959.beech forest; railways;

B/W. Engine G41, showing the sign "Puffing Billy Preservation Society, Beech Forest, 21-11-59", leaves the balloon loop at Beech Forest Railway Station, with guard and child hanging from the engine. A number of people are in the area, particularly two on top of a stack of timber. beech forest; railways;

In 1960 the Crowes railway station and yards had been closed for six years, since December 1954. This section was left to the elements, the line being rapidly covered with vegetation. This had to be cleared when rail recovery trains ran again to Crowes when the track was being pulled up in 1961.Colour. Crowes station yard in 1960; two tracks diverging from one. Not two cars in the middle distance. crowes; railway;

Another excursion train travels to Beech Forest in 1960. At Gellibrand railway yards engine G42 leads the train with driver L. Moore and fireman, Les Ogden.B/W. Locomotive G42 and an excursion train to Beech Forest, on track number one, in 1960. The fireman, Les Ogden, hangs from the engine. The other tracks are empty.gellibrand; railway; loco g42;