Showing 91 items
matching victorian railways signs
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Ballarat Tramway Museum
Ephemera - Tour Notes, Victorian Railways, Victorian Railways "S" circular, 30/01/1975 12:00:00 AM
Victorian Railways "S" circular, number S.162/75, for the additional stop of the 8.30am train from Spencer St to Horsham to set down at Wendouree Station and for the 2.45pm ex Horsham to pick up at Wendouree Station at 5.38pm, on the day of the Opening by of the Tourist Tramway at Lake Wendouree for the BTPS. Signed by M. Ronald as Chief Traffic Manager. Printed on half a quarto sheet. Images of document added 27-08-12.btps, opening, wendouree station, railways -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Sign, Victorian Railways, VR Tramways, 1920's
... Passengers VR Victorian Railways Fares Conductors Sign - enamelled ...Sign - enamelled on a metal plate with screw holes in each corner - white letters on black background - fitted to a Victorian Railways Tramcar - regarding having exact fare ready, not standing in gangway, alighting and do not leave or join on the wrong side. Advised by Tony Smith of MTPS 5/8/2016 a sign from a VR tramcar. Has a number of them. String through top two corners was fitted to the donated item.trams, tramways, signs, passengers, vr, victorian railways, fares, conductors -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Slide - 35mm slide/s - set of 6, Dave Simpson, late 1960's early 1970's
Yields information about Railway Level crossing in Lydiard St North and some of the trains that used it.Set of six 35mm slides - Hanimex light grey white plastic mounts or AGFA dark blue / white plastic mounts of trams and trains crossing the level crossing at Lydiard St North Ballarat. .1 - tram 33 with destination of Lydiard St North, just after crossing the rail tracks - has a Twin Lakes sign with Victoria House in the background. .2 - tram 40 with destination of Lydiard St North, waiting at the level crossing with S303 entering the station. .3 - ditto, but with S304 in the photograph under the signal gantry. .4 - tram 17 crossing the crossing with the signal box and Victoria House in the background. .5 - ditto - tram has a Twin Lakes signs and a "Make Bliss No Love" roof advert for Bliss Bombs. .6 - ditto - with the S. F. Motors Pty Ltd Mercedes Benz dealership in the background.tramways, trams, railway station, lydiard st north, level crossings, victorian railways, tram 33, tram 40, tram 17 -
Vision Australia
Photograph (item) - Image, Help required for Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight required the assistance of the general public around Melbourne to sell programs and other items, assist ticket sales and other activities. Various avenues were used to call for this assistance, including the circulation of Help Wanted signs at newsagent kiosks at metropolitan railway stations. In this image, a woman buys something from a newsagent kiosk, whilst another person waits behind her. The newsagent smiles from behind his stack of papers, beside a Life Savers rack and in front of cigarette towers behind him. Above him is an advertisement for Goldstream tobacco. The sign attached slightly over the tobacco advertisement reads: Help Required for Carols by Candlelight commencing 27th Nov. 5 1/4 hours daily. 6 day week inc. Saturday. For 4 weeks. 80 cents per hour. If interested phone Mr Burke 511381.carols by candlelight, royal victorian institute for the blind -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Clock
Appears to be an original piece from Mt Buffalo Chalet. Purpose made for the Chalet as inscribe d with Mount Buffalo Chalet to Clock face most likely in Victorian Railways era, post 1924.. "Interestingly, the photograph indicates that a big round clock was mounted on the fenestration just behind and above the cabinet (fig 36). Reminiscent of railway clocks, it was perhaps introduced by the Victorian Railways after 1924. it resembles the clock that was subsequently mounted on the wall above the Chalet reception desk, and more recently stored away for safety with other movable items in the Chalet. Closer comparison however seems to indicate that the two clocks have different wooden frames and probably differ in diameter." "A number of specific items, which have been useful in the day to day operations of the chalet, remain in the building, with each complementing the other to provide context, meaning and character to their setting. items such as the hall porter bell, the many signs providing information to guests, the wall clock, barometer and dinner bell point to the Chalet being a well-run social institution with a pleasant environment for rest, recreation and congenial company." (Pg 81, Historica, MBCC)Large circular clock with "Mount Buffalo Chalet" printed in black on face. Clock has Roman numerals in black with two black hands against a white face. Wooden , circular frame. "Mount Buffalo Chalet" -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Driver George Judge, 1974
The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Driver George Judge standing on front of Locomotive X38 special train "Spirit of 96" The X class are a class of mainline diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering Victorian Railways between 1966 and 1976. X 38 was part of the second order. It entered service on Friday, 8th May 1970. X 37 and X 38 were built as replacements for the two S Class locomotives lost in the fatal Southern Aurora crash at Violet Town in 1969. It was later sold to Pacific National and rebuilt as XR550. "Spirit of 96" was a passenger train specially designed for cast and crew of the Australian 0-10 Network series “Number 96”. It was used to travel from Sydney to Melbourne for the annual TV Week Logie Awards. It was a silver, multi-carriage train with the Commissioner's carriage hooked up at the rear for VIPs. The 16 and a half-hour overnight journey, left from the centre of Sydney at 4.30 pm with a farewell party, complete with red carpet and jazz band in attendance. It featured whistle stop visits at country sidings and stations. Thousands of people turned out to see their favourite stars, before it arrived at Spencer Street station. The rail service of the time was keen to promote its overnight tourism packages, and for the journey the train was christened as the "Spirit of 96”. On front of locomotive "X38" On red black and white sign attached to the front rail of the locomotive "O/The Spirit of 96/Sydney-Melbourne/1974"railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, x class diesel locomotive, george judge, spirit of 96 -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Dr. W. H. Embling - Public Vaccinator
William Henry Embling was born in London on September 25, 1840, and came to Victoria with his parents when he was about 9 years old. When still in his teens, William was sent to Germany, and afterwards to England, to study for the medical profession. Whilst in London he became involved with the British Legion which sailed for Italy and fought in the Garibaldian campaign. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant. After moving to Glasgow to study for the Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons, William returned to Australia in 1863 and set up practice in St. Kilda, Victoria. Embling was appointed resident surgeon at Melbourne Hospital, practiced in Ballarat from 1866-1873 and was an honorary physician at the Alfred Hospital in 1877 In 1878 he was appointed to the Central Board of Health, and in this role travelled to many rural areas including Wodonga as the Public Vaccinator. For some time, he was regularly in Wodonga on Fridays. He was also Chairman of the Police Medical Board and President of the Working Men's College in Melbourne. In 1892 William Embling was elected as a member of the Legislative Council. One of the many roles he filled as a politician was as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways. In this role he also visited Wodonga when consultations were in progress for development of the new railways throughout Victoria. Dr. Embling died from pneumonia in St. Kilda, Victoria on 24 May 1912.This item is significant because it depicts a doctor who provided an important service to Wodonga and to the wider Victorian community.A black and white photograph of Dr. Embling standing in front of his consulting room in a house in Wodonga.Signs to left of door: Below Crown and Letters C. R. Dr Embling Public Vaccinator Vaccinations Every Friday Free Service To Right of Door: Dr Embling Surgeon dr. w. h. embling, wodonga medical services, public vaccinator wodonga -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Sign - Wodonga Railway Station Sign
The Wodonga rail line and railway station opened in November 1873 when the section of the line from Wangaratta was completed. The expansion of the railways to the northeast of Victoria occurred after the Victorian Government took over the railways in 1867 and the trains serviced large towns such as Seymour, Wangaratta and Wodonga, as well as smaller towns along the way. The original Wodonga Station, located in the middle of the city, was closed on 9 November 2008 as part of the Wodonga rail bypass project. The station platform was largely removed and the area has been redeveloped as part of the Junction precinct.This sign has local and state historical significance as the railways played a critical part in opening up the interior of Australia for commerce, transportation and settlement. It enabled Wodonga to develop as an important centre for social and commercial purposes.A metal railway station platform sign, Wodonga is painted in black in the centre circle against an oblong cross piece"WODONGA"railways, wodonga railway station, victoria railways, wodonga -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Rule Book, Victorian Railways, "Victorian Railways Instructions re Working of the St Kilda and Brighton Electric Street Railway", 1926/27
Issued to employees of the VR St Kilda to Brighton electric street railway, superseding previous copies. The line closed in 1956. Note the spelling of the word "employe" with an accent over the e - an acceptable practice in Victoria at the time - a US based spelling. Book scanned into multiple parts. See Reg Item 3508 for a "Supplement to the Book of Instructions re the working of the St Kilda and Brighton Electric Street Railway, dated 1/1/1915", item 7518 for a June 1907 version, and 7580 for instructions issued in 1911.Demonstrates a Victorian Railway Rule book for electric tramways or Street Railways.Rule Book - 156 pages, five sewn sections within a green coloured Rexene heavy card with glued endpapers with the title "Victorian Railways Instructions re Working of the St Kilda and Brighton Electric Street Railway" and "1927" in gold block. Dated 1 June 1926. Has a table of contents and index - gives definitions - "trams" vs "street railways", general instructions, hand signs, working of cars, working of traffic over single and double line, staff and ticket systems, air brakes, permanent way, overhead, fares, appeals of employees against penalty and electric shock.Copy 3 has stamp of the "Westinghouse Brake Inspector" and "Lloyd Rogers" in ink on the inside front cover. On page 94 and 95 has notes in pencil about the air braking system - may have been for a following issue.trams, tramways, victorian railways, vr, st kilda brighton, rules, employees, safeworking -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "WARNING TO NOT LEAN AGAINST DOOR", 1940's??
... Trams tramways Signs Tramcars Victorian Railways Passengers ...Enamel sign - steel back, black enamel with white letters, slightly impressed = "WARNING TO NOT LEAN AGAINST DOOR". Has the marks from the sign being supported during the enamelling process on the rear. May have been fitted to a Victorian Railway's tram.trams, tramways, signs, tramcars, victorian railways, passengers, behaviour -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign, Victorian Railways, destinations of a VR tramcar, 1940's??
... Trams tramways Signs Tramcars Victorian Railways Destination ...Sign - steel sheet, with four screw holes in each corner, marked with the destinations of a VR tramcar for the St Kilda Brighton Beach line, to enable the crews to set the relevant destination.trams, tramways, signs, tramcars, victorian railways, destination roll, st kilda brighton -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Ephemera, "Victorian Tramways Guide - October 1917", Oct. 1917
Timetable - 36 pages, printed on off-white paper, cover printed on pink paper, centre stapled titled "Victorian Tramways Guide" for October 1917. Details the timetables for the Tramway Board, Northcote Council, PMTT, NMETL, HTT, MBCTT and the VR Brighton line. Gives details of fares, routes, signs, first and last cars. Middle page - has a map and details of a Round trip and shows other lines and change points. Foldout map included on the inside rear cover, showing tramways, railways and rivers. Has many advertisements for the re-election of Sir Frank Madden (he was not re-elected - see http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/re-member/details/569-madden-frank - accessed 30-12-2016). Polling day 15/11/1917. Has adverts for: Commercial Union Steel Castings Proprietary Limited Myer's Country of Bourke Permanent Building and Investment Society Prohibition - Canada, USA Royal Insurance Company Australian Ladies Commercial College Incley Frederick Collis Tramways Advertising Co. Stott's Business College Chambers and Seymour W. M Richards Huttons Ham Sterling Preparationstrams, tramways, timetables, melbourne, nmetl, vr, cable trams, htt, pmtt, map, advertising -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Charles Craig, "Destination Measurements", 1970's
Report - on two A4 sheets hand written in pencil, stapled in the top left hand corner, giving destination sign measurements and layouts on Melbourne and Sydney trams and buses and Adelaide buses and Victorian Railways suburban trains. Prepared by Charles Craig, c1970's. Gives the width, the depth or show and the size of the letters. Titled "Desto Measurements"trams, tramways, trams, buses, destination indicators, destination roll -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Notice, Victorian Railways, "Australian Electric Traction Association Member's Excursion by Railway Electric Tram - Elwood Depot - St Kilda - Vaulter St - Elwood Tram Depot", 24/11/1958 12:00:00 AM
Quarto Sheet Gestener printed notice titled "Australian Electric Traction Association Member's Excursion by Railway Electric Tram - Elwood Depot - St Kilda - Vaulter St - Elwood Tram Depot", advising of the tour on 29 Nov. 1958. Gives times, tram No. 52, and ticket details. Signed by T. R. Collier, Chief Traffic Manager, 24 November 1958.trams, tramways, aeta, vr, tours, special trams, st kilda, elwood depot, tram 51 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Notice, Victorian Railways, "Overhead Electrical Equipment - 600V Traction System - St Kilda - Brighton Electric Street Railway", 23/12/1958 12:00:00 AM
Half foolscap Sheet Gestener printed notice titled "Overhead Electrical Equipment - 600V Traction System - St Kilda - Brighton Electric Street Railway" advising that the overhead and feeder between Hardwood St and Park St was taken out of service and abolished. Signed by T. R. Collier, Chief Traffic Manager, 23 Dec. 1957.trams, tramways, aeta, vr, overhead, closure, st kilda -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Memorandum, Victorian Railways, Victorian Railways Memorandum, dated 30-11-1906 re St Kilda tramway, 30/11/1906 12:00:00 AM
Victorian Railways Memorandum, dated 30-11-1906 on VR printed form Z 183a, advising Porter (?) G. H. Biquell (?) that he had been transferred to the position of Conductor on the St Kilda Brighton Electric Tramway from 1/12. He was to report to Mr. Bradford at the Power Station, Elsternwick. Signed by J. Keane Acting Station Master West Richmond station. Has been completed using a form with a perforated edge on the left hand side.trams, tramways, victorian railways, st kilda brighton, conductors, personnel, elwood -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Memorandum, Victorian Railways, Victorian Railways Memorandum re C Craig, 23/04/1962 12:00:00 AM
Victorian Railways Memorandum, dated 23 April 1962, on VR printed form TN - H 228, that Senior Clerk Mr. C. Craig of Ivanhoe had passed the necessary examination and was competent to perform ticket checkers duties. Signed under the stamp of the Chief Traffic Manager. Has been completed using a form with a perforated edge on the left hand side. Form No. 9954.trams, tramways, victorian railways, personnel, tickets -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign - Auxiliary Destination Board - Black Rock - Beaumaris, Victorian Railways (VR)
... . Demonstrates destination signs used by the Victorian Railways ...Used as a destination or auxiliary board on Sandringham trams and buses that operated from the Sandringham railway station tram/bus depot. Tram and bus services were operated by the Victorian Railways. Has been lettered on one side for Black Rock and the other Beaumaris.Demonstrates destination signs used by the Victorian Railways on their Sandringham services.Sign - plywood - 3 ply with a rebated timber section at the top of the sign, painted black with white letters. Two copies held.sandringham, vr trams, vr buses, signs, buses -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign - Auxiliary Destination Board - Sandringham - Royal Ave - Bluff Road, Victorian Railways (VR)
... and bus services were operated by the Victorian Railways. Has been ...Used as a destination or auxiliary board on Sandringham trams and buses that operated from the Sandringham railway station tram/bus depot. Tram and bus services were operated by the Victorian Railways. Has been lettered on one side for "Express Corner Royal Ave & Bluff Road" and the other "Sandringham"Demonstrates destination signs used by the Victorian Railways on their Sandringham services.Sign - plywood - 3 ply with a rebated timber section at the top of the sign, painted black with white letters. Two copies held.sandringham, vr trams, vr buses, signs, buses -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign, Victorian Railways, "ELWOOD DEPOT" & "VAUTIER ST", 1940's?
... not be original. "ELWOOD DEPOT" & "VAUTIER ST" Sign Victorian Railways ...Sign - Destination indicator - wooden sheet with black background with faded white paint showing "Elwood depot" on one side and "VAUTIER ST" on the other. Has fitted metal channels on either end, screwed one side with small wood screws. Has two drilled holes in the top, which may not be original.trams, tramways, destination indicators, signs, vr, elwood depot, vautier st, st kilda brighton -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Letter, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Transmission Line - Footscray Tramways", 1/03/1921 12:00:00 AM
Letter, carbon copy, quarto sheet - to the Secretary of the Victorian Railways titled "Transmission Line - Footscray Tramways" dated 1/3/1921, regarding the crossing of the electrified railway at Footscray by the Boards 6000V transmission line to approved plans. Signed by H. S. Dix Chief Manager and Acting Chief Engineer.trams, tramways, mmtb, vr, footscray, new tramway, power supply, electrical engineering -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign - VR Sandringham Destination plate, Victorian Railways
Used on VR Sandringham Black Rock trams as part of the destination setting mechanism - told the driver or conductor what the destination was set to. Shows the destinations of: Depot Black Rock Royal Ave Melb (Melbourne) SandringhamDemonstrates a plate that would have been attached to tramcar as part of the destination box mechanism.Round plate or disc, white front, lettered in black with four drilled holes. Two copies held. Has five destination names painted in black.vr trams, sandringham to black rock, destinations -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Black and White photographs and digital images, Victorian Railways, c1926
.1 - Black and White photo of W 324 passing under the rail over bridge in Racecourse Road Newmarket between July 1925 and Nov. 1929. Tram was converted to a W2 in November 1929. The Doutta Galla Hotel in the background. On the left of the bridge is Newmarket Station and on the right of the photo is the fence of the stockyards. The bridge has an advert for Wolfes Schnapps and Blue? Label Tea. On the embankment is a sign for Life Guard Life Insurance? A lady is waiting at the tram stop. The photo is part of the VR Advertising series, made to show advertisers where signs could go. image i2 - cropped image showing the tramcar by itself. .2 and .3 - Z3 class 209 in about the same position, with a large KIA motor vehicle advertisement. The yellow crash beams and truck parking bay are a result of too many large trucks hitting the bridge. Photo by Warren Doubleday 26/4/2021On rear in ink "ADV 202"trams, tramways, newmarket, racecourse road, flemington, w class, tram stops, advertisements, z3 class, tram 324, tram 203 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign - Form - Receipt docket, Victorian Railways (VR), Auxiliary Destination Board - Express - Beaumaris
... destination signs used by the Victorian Railways on their Sandringham ...Used as a destination or auxiliary board on Sandringham trams and buses that operated from the Sandringham railway station tram/bus depot. Tram and bus services were operated by the Victorian Railways. Have been letter Beaumaris Express and Beaumaris Express Black Rock which indicate more bus rather than trams.Demonstrates destination signs used by the Victorian Railways on their Sandringham services. Sign - plywood - 3 ply with a rebated timber section at the top of the sign, painted black with white letters. tramways, vr, sandringham, vr buses, buses, signs -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign - Victorian Railways - notice to passengers, Victorian Railways (VR)
... Victorian railways behaviour Sign - enamel white letters on a black ...Used by the Victorian Railways in their tramcars to advise passengers re payment of fares, standing in gangways, alighting and not leaving the tramcar on the wrong side.Demonstrates the method of advising passengers re their behaviour or duties.Sign - enamel white letters on a black background with screw holes in each corner.signs, trams, tramcars, victorian railways, behaviour -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Certificate, Victorian Tramway Football Association (VFTA), Life Members Certificate - Mr N C Boucher, March 1947
Presented by the Victorian Tramway Football Association to Mr Norman Charles Boucher, Victorian Railways, Tramway Motorman for his long service to the Association. Dated 18 March 1947. Hand made with ink and water colours, with VFTA logo. Signed by C A Peterson as President, L Montgomery as Hon. Treasurer and R Hodder as Secretary. See item 7056i3.pdf for his story prepared by Noelle Jones. See item 7057 for a football team photograph which included Mr Boucher.Demonstrates a hand made illustrated Life Membership certificate.Wooden framed illustrated certificate glazed secured with nails on rear. Hand made with ink and colour wash. Has two screws in the top corners and a section of string for hanging. The wood frame is machined carved.sports, vfta, football, certificates, vr trams, motormen, n c boucher -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign, JBC, power closing doors, 1970's?
... Trams tramways Victorian Railways Melbourne Sign regarding ...Sign regarding the operation of a Melbourne suburban train door that has been fitted with power closing doors, three colours, adhesive back with the name of the manufacturer "JBC" on the rear. Has two sheets of paper split in the middle that protected the sign until use. Possibly dates from the time of the introduction of power doors on Harris Trains.trams, tramways, victorian railways, melbourne -
Hymettus Cottage & Garden Ballarat
Work on paper - Award Certificate, Victorian Railways Institute award, 1924
Won by Michael Taffe at the Flinders St station Ballroom in October 1924. Michael Taffe had been the Australian Junior Cornet Solo Champion four years earlier.This certificate is an example of the support the Victorian Railways Institute, and other government and corporate staff organisations gave to their employees in a range of cultural fields from the nineteenth to the late twentieth century. Small certificate with Victorian Railways Institute seal.Details provided in copperplate writing - M. J. Taffe, First Prize 82 Points Instrumental Division Cornet Solo Institute Event , signed by president and secretary and dated Melbourne 18th October 24.victorian railways institute, cornet, taffe, melbourne, central station. -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Bushfire awareness sign, Protect your forests from fire, 1953
Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signProtect your forests from firebushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Bushfire awareness sign, Help Prevent Bushfires, Pre 1966
Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signHelp Prevent Bushfiresbushfire, forest signs, forests commission victoria (fcv)