The Chick family went fishing and lived on Rockpool Road beside the East Kiewa river from c1934-43. This was before the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The Chick family camped in the Upper Kiewa Valley prior to the KHES being constructed.The memories and photographs are important for their contribution to this time.Black folder bound with plastic spiral ring. Page 1. includes a letter from Jan Hunter (nee Chick) to KVHS. Pages 2 -4 Written history. Page 5 An index to the 7 photosOn letter: 'Barbara - had this ready before I spoke to you. Jan'chick family, rockpool road, early camping

The SECV continually updated their mapsDuring the development of the KHES the SECV had to continually update their mapsBoth Foolscap 1. Titled: High Plains Access Tracks & Roads 2. Mt Beauty Street Plan by SECV with Section Nos. and house numbersBoth have sticky tape marks on their back.khes maps

The obituary is of Harry Vyner, who came to work for the SECV on the KHES in 1938This is an example of one man's life and how he came to live in the Kiewa Valley and his contribution to the development of Mount Beauty as a thriving community.A4 Sheet with family tree details of Harry Vyner / McKendrick families Newspaper cutting re Obituary of Harry Vyner dated December 1979harry vyner, country roads board, high plains road

Damms Road river crossing after the c1993 floods of the Kiewa River. The old bridge was inundated, later to be washed away.The Kiewa River flooded in 1993 at Damms Road when the old bridge was washed away.2 coloured photos of the Kiewa River in flood at Damms Roadkiewa river flooding, bridge at damms road

Orchids, birds on the Bogong High Plains and surrounds and the SECV construction on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme were topics of interest for the workers living there. Taping them would have been an interesting hobby for Jack Farrell.Jack Farrell (1920s - 1990s) worked for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the KHES. He worked in the workshop and lived on the river side of Simmonds Creek Road. x10 tapes of orchids, birds and Lake Guy etc. and 1 Panasonic Battery Pack VW-VBC4E for movie camera.The battery has a sticker on it "$99.00"orchids, birds, kiewa hydro electric scheme, movies of native flora, movies of birds

The SECV constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric SchemePhotos showing the development and history of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme8 small b & w photos. All with titles including "Kiewa Hydro Electric Project". They are in an envelope titled "Valentine's / Snapshots / Eight Real Photographs / Kiewa Valley / Published by /The Valentine Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd / Melbourne and Sydney 1. Kiewa Valley Panorama 2.The East Kiewa River 3. Road to Bogong High Plains 4. Mt Beauty Village 5. Snowfall Bogong Village 6. Bogong Village 7. Junction Dam Spillway, Lake Guy Bogong 8. No 3 Power Station mt beauty, bogong village, bogong high plains, junction dam, power station

x7 B & W photos of Rocky Valley and x1 of a Bogged bulldozer with titles in white on bottom left hand cornerIn white 'Road to Rocky'; Old Rocky Mess; Rocky Valley Hostel; x2 Snow at Rocky; Rocky; Train at Rocky;

Mt Beauty was constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to house employees of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Mt Beauty township looking south east from Hollond's property c1948. Only one transmission line has been built.In the foreground are houses in Simmond's Creek Road. Some houses in North Beauty. The town is still under construction - not all roads have been made and houses haven't any garden around them.This is an early photo of Mt Beauty during construction of the town.d It shows a few houses in Simmonds Creek Road. Large black and white photo of Mt Beauty township with snow on the mountains in the background.mt beauty township 1948, mt beauty construction, simmonds creek road

Mt Beauty township, at the head of the Kiewa Valley, is situated at the foot of Mt Bogong. The town was established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme on the High Plains.Mt Beauty is a popular tourist resort. The main highway from Mt Beauty to the Bogong High Plains is most picturesque throughout the year. During the winter months, Falls Creek provides access to Falls Creek Ski Village for snow sports. Tawonga, 6.5 km north of Mt Beauty, is famed for its trout fishing and camping on the Kiewa River. Deciduous trees make a show of colour during Autumn. The postcards are of historical value showing photos taken at an earlier time.The postcards can be compared to the attractions of the time as they do not include cycling (mountain bikes and road bikes), snow boarding, gliding and paragliding. Advertising for tourism has also changed as attractions are now available on-line. 1. 9 Coloured Photos of Bogong (5) and Visitors Information Centre display (4) 2. Two fold out coloured sets of postcards "Mt Beauty and the Kiewa Scheme", "Mt. Beauty Victoria" 3. x10 Coloured postcards Mt Beauty, Kiewa Valley, Bogong 4. x6 Coloured postcards High Country and Bogong Villagepostcards kiewa valley

An early map of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme Works Area prepared by the SECV for use when requesting access to the area. The regulations are printed regarding permits.During construction of the KHES there were restrictions on access to the area. This map identifies the land marks and states the regulations for entry to the area.Black and white map folded into three showing a legend with the townships, camps, gates and dams marked.Also indicating the roads, rivers, mountains and infrastructure of the KHES. khes works area, map of khes

On the 2nd April 1948 the SECV noted the Eucalypts in the area of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The Forestry Officer was an employee of the SECV and would have given advice in his area of expertise. This chart may have been used with regard to logging and enabling those involved in the identification of the trees.The last row has the heading "Localities and Remarks" and includes those found around the KHES eg. "Tawonga Gap. West Kiewa. Bogong Creek & up to 5 mile peg on Kiewa Valley Road. 7-12 Mile on Mt Buffalo Rd." Also significant to compare these eucalypts with current locations and numbersLarge chart with black print and pictures on yellowing thick paper. The chart has 18 headings across the top and 24 eucalypts listed under the headings.Printed in the bottom right hand corner "Compiled by W.G. Chandler / Forestry Officer / State Electricity Commission of Victoria / 2-4-48"forestry, w.g.chandler, eucalypts in bogong area

Published by the SECV in 1950. They controlled the roads from Mt Beauty to the Bogong High Plains and all other roads within the Kiewa works area. The roads are not open to general tourist traffic. Conducted tours of the Kiewa area are operated by Eastern Road Lines Pty. Ltd., AlburyThe SECV constructed the KHES and controlled all roads within the Kiewa works area.Large colored map folded in half and then in 3. Front third is mostly blue and white with titles.. When opened the cover has black and white photos beside it with print and 'Please Note'. Also in the other half, a 'Road Map to Kiewa' showing the south eastern side of Australia, mostly yellow (the land) and blue (the sea). Inside the map is a close up map of "Ground Plan of Kiewa Hydro Electric Project' with a 'Key Map Showing Distances'.map of kiewa 1950, khes map

Government authorities updated maps regularly.Historically of interest eg. 1. Pre dates the Alpine National Park. 2. 'Mt Beauty Estates' now known as Tawonga South. 3. Mt Niggerhead is named - It is now known as Mt Jaithmathang having been renamed in 2009.Colored map dated 1986 titled Road Construction Authority with an update of roads in the local Shires. It names places in the area and has a legion describing the rating of the roads and tracks. It also shows the main towns in the area and their roads.road construction authority, map of tallangatta area

The Department of Lands regularly updated the occupiers with leases or licences of the land.The names of the early settlers of the Kiewa Valley occupying land by lease or licence are shown. Many of these familie's descendants still live in the Kiewa Valley.Government (Lands Department?) cloth map showing the leases or licenses of occupiers of the land in the valley. The Kiewa River is shown in blue and roads in yellow. There is no date on the map.parish of mullindolingong map, settlers of the kiewa valley

Planimetric maps are two-dimensional representations of the Earth's surface, showing the location and spatial arrangement of features such as roads, buildings, and bodies of water.A very clear map showing the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in two dimensions to include the construction done by the SECV.Black and white Map of the Kiewa Area from Mt Beauty to the High Plains covering the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and surrounds. Drawn on 11th May 1966kiewa hydro electric scheme 1966

The map features Beechworth and its history.This map features the north-east and in particular, Beechworth where residents of the Kiewa Valley may have shopped or visited for appointments.Black and white map with references to roads and gold. The centre of the map is Beechworth and in the bottom left side of the map is the heading Beechworth with 12 lines of print of information regarding Beechworth. The Kiewa Valley is not identified.beechworth

Planimetric maps are 2 dimensional representations of the Earth's surface, showing the location and spatial arrangement of features such as roads, buildings, and bodies of water. The parish maps show the occupiers with leases or licences of the land. These are updated by the Department of Lands regularly. The names of early settlers of the Kiewa Valley occupying land by lease or licence are shown. Many of these familie's descendants still live in the Kiewa Valley.1. Kiewa Area Planimetric Map (photo) 2. Wermatong, County of Bogong Parish Map 3. Mulllindolingong, County of Bogong Parish Map 4. Mullagong, County of Bogong Parish Map All black and white kiewa valley. parish maps. land owners

Used by the employees of National Parks. The maps show the topography and contours in 3D when used with the stereoscope KVHS 0743. This enables the photographed area to be compared to previous photos and enables the planning of construction of eg. new roads etc. Digital information is now available.These photographs give the topography and contours of vast local areas eg. Mt Feathertop and Tawonga township.when used with a stereoscope. Black and white large aerial photos of the Bogong High Plains area. 14 to 20 of them all on thick paper and the same size as the brown wooden box which holds them. The box hasn't got a lid at the top.Identified and catalogued by National Parksmaps showing topography, national parks, stereoscope

This "homemade rake" is constructed from a branch of a tea tree. This item demonstrates that in the mid to late 1800's the isolation of the Kiewa Valley was more pronounced than during the early 1900's. The availability of gardening implements to the residences within the Kiewa Valley was scarce to non existence. with the upgrading of roads into the valley and the boost to the Valley's population (S.E.C. Kiewa Valley Hydro Electricity Scheme) transport into the valley, firstly via commercial Hawkers in their mobile caravans and later by commercial trucks. This "home made" rake is very significant because it highlights the ingenuity of local farmers and graziers in overcoming the semi isolation of the Kiewa Valley and its regions from the commercial availability of gardening implements enjoyed by gardeners in the towns and cities of the 1800's and the early 1900's. This "home made" garden rake highlights the ingenuity of the "Australian" character per se. A slice of this ingenuity can be seen by the amount of inventions, per capita, produced within Australia throughout its history.Handle is a long, stripped branch of tea tree. The head of the rake is a 2.3 cm. wide piece of wood, compressed between two 0.5 cm. pieces of metal joined with bolts, nuts and rivets. The holes drilled into the wood hold metal tines 10.5 cms. high. There should be 16 tines but 4 are missing. This type of rake is/ was used in dairiestimber, dairy, farm, rural, implement

Historically this item would have been used by gold miners, rabbit shooters, mobile "Rag and Bone" traders and other mobile(in caravans and/or horse drawn cart) traders of various small goods and haberdashery. Although marked as not to be used as trade, the isolation and sometimes difficult terrain rules out using larger and more delicate scales. In the early 1900s rough roads and severe weather conditions forced traders to be more flexible in trading with weights and measures. The "close enough is good enough" doctrine was the Australian outback rule of thumb. The significance of this item in the Kiewa Valley during this period demonstrates the slower acceptance of accurate trading measure using the country side principle "my hand shake is my bond". In the Kiewa Valley small quantity commercial undertakings e.g. gold mining, fur pelts and rabbit meat trade did not require bulk weight type scales. Commerce in rural production e.g. fruit and vegetables involved more farmers and their staff in a barter and/or "in kind" payments. This was more so in the depression years 1929 to late 1930s. Self sufficiency was to a large extent more attainable in this region than in the city/ large country town environment. The Australian "fair go" ethical approach to life and commerce was very much ingrained in those living in country regions, like Kiewa Valley as is demonstrated by the not so accurate hand balance, spring loaded scales. Portable Pocket Balance with front plate made from brass. Spring mechanism enclosed by black painted medium gauge steel cover( three quarters cylindrical). Front scale face and rear spring casing fastened by three rivets. Spring loaded marker blade is located in the centre of the front plate. See item KVHS 0224 for a similar scales.Front plate marked: at top "Not legal for use in trade", below this in larger print "Pocket Balance", under and to the right in smaller print "lbs" under this graded marks, first marked with a Zero, then every second mark in ascending order up to 25. At the bottom of the front plate is marked "Made in Germany"antique pocket balance, scales, mobile weights, vintage appliances

In 1943 a camp for workmen was erected and a commencement made with the erection of plant storage and workshop buildings in the new township of Mt. Beauty. The photograph was probably taken after the completion of these buildings. There is no sign of construction of the town itself. In the latter part of 1945 work was commenced on the Mt. Beauty township area with a medical centre, general trading store and some houses under construction. The No. 5 Road, from where the photograph was taken, is the road to West Kiewa Power Station and Big Hill Scenic Lookout.Is an excellent view of the Kiewa Valley before there was little work undertaken to establish the town of Mt. Beauty. Farming was well established with the evidence of huge areas of cleared land. The junction of the East and West Kiewa Rivers can be clearly seen. The first Workmen's camp is near the river and some workshop buildings can also be seen. Black and white photograph of the Kiewa Valley, looking North.Handwritten on the back of photograph "Kiewa Valley from No. 5 Road".kiewa valley, camp, buildings, mt. beauty

This photo is of the very newly constructed State Electricity Commission town of Mt. Beauty. The houses up to Nelse street were erected from 1946 onward and then the township was extended beyond Nelse Street in 1950 which places this photograph about 1950/51. There is no evidence of work being commenced on the regulating pondage but the tail race canal can be seen on the centre right of photo. The workmen's camp was enlarged in 1950 to the extent of providing accommodation for a total of 1,200. There are a number of dwellings on Simmonds Creek and the road to Falls Creek can clearly be seen. Snow capped Mt. Bogong is in the upper left of the photo with Mt. Beauty behind the township rising to Big Hill beyond that.Shows the newly constructed town of Mt. Beauty surrounded by farmland and before the regulating pondage was built to discharge water from the power stations via the West Kiewa tail race tunnel into the Kiewa River. Black and white photographHand written on back of photograph "Mt. Beauty from Transmission Line"mt. beauty, construction, pondage, state electricity commission

This photograph was probably taken at the site of McKay Creek Power Station. Excavation of this site did not commence until 1951 but road access(a narrow track) was provided in 1948 and widened in 1954. The logs would have been milled for timber at the State Electricity Commission's mill at Howman's Gap and thus provided a much needed source of timber for construction of camps and houses as there was a general of shortage of this commodity. Because of trouble with landslides in this area, a decision was made to place the machine hall of the power station underground instead of on the surface. Restricted financial resources and the repositioning of the power station retarded construction activities and it was not completed until early 1961.. An excellent pictorial record of the general working conditions, type of machinery and vehicles in use in the 1950/s.Black and white photograph showing logging equipment, fallen logs.Handwritten on the back of the photograph "Logging at McKay Creek)logging, mckay creek, timber, machinery

This photo was most likely taken at the site of the proposed McKay Creek Power Station. Excavation of this site was commenced in 1951 but an access road (a rough, narrow track) was put it in 1948 and widened in 1954. The State Electricity Commission would have milled logs from this area at their mill at Howman's Gap. The timber was used for building of housing and camps and provided a much needed resource as there was a general shortage of this commodity. The power station was relocated underground owing to repeated problems with landslides in the area. Restricted financial resources and the repositioning of the power station retarded construction activities and it was not completed until early 1961. An historical pictorial record of the type of machinery used in the 1950's - logging truck with bogie attached, the bull dozer and winch for hauling logs to the truck and note the lack of protective clothing!Black and white photograph showing a logging truck, bogie and bull dozer with winch for hauling the logs to the truck. Two men are on the truck, a driver on the bull dozer and a large log on the bogie. Hand written on the back of photo "Logging at McKay Creek".logging, mckay creek, timber, machinery

One of a collection of books by local writer Alan Marshall held at EDHS. This one is of "anecdotes and yarns" as described by Marshall before its publication in July 1981 in the Canberra Times. Alan Marshall's Australia, the Australia of "I Can Jump Puddles" has vanished. No longer do we have time to sit on the sliprail and exchange yarns, to drive buggies down long, quiet dusty roads, or to watch the king-hit merchant operating in some small hotel. Even the Cu-nims hold no terrors for a Boeing 427! And yet - Alan Marshall's Australia lives for all those who read this book. Meet Lance Skuthorpe who tethered an old bull in Bourke Street and offered £5 to anyone who could ride it for half a minute and Binjarrpooma, the Arnhem Land terror. Accompany Alan in his horse-drawn caravan or buggy to country sales, pubs and stations and listen with him to great bush eccentrics, lairs and yarn spinners. Go further back and remember Conversation Lollies, the cigarette cards you collected and the school yard games. Can you recall how to test an axe blade, choose a pocket knife, or the penetrating power of Goanna Oil? But this book is more than a nostalgic journey into the past ; it is history for the young and a timely reminder for us all - it is our roots. - Front end papers viii, 165 p. : ill. ; Two copiesISBN 0908090390alan marshall, prose, short stories, ancedotes, australia, tales, yarms

THE WEEK REVIEWED (Article; Bush Fires: A pictorial survey of Victoria's most tragic week, January 8-15, 1939. Published in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents, pp2-3) THE fiercest bush fires Australia has known since its discovery are quiescent at the moment, and Victoria, in the comparative coolness of the change which came with rain on Sunday night, has begun·to count its losses. In the fiery eight days, from Sunday to Sunday, at least sixty-six men, women and children have lost their lives in forest fires, or have succumbed to burns and shock; many others have died from heat; and several serious cases of burns are being treated in hospitals. Two babies in Narrandera district have died, and ten others are in hospital, because of milk soured by the record temperatures of those eight days. Forest damage totals at least a million pounds, and incalculable damage has been done to the seedlings which were to have been the forests of the future. Water conservation will be seriously affected by the silting-up of reservoirs and streams from which protective timber has been taken by the all-engulfing flames. More than a thousand houses have been destroyed, and these, with 40 mills, and schools, post-offices, churches, and other buildings, represent a loss of at least half a million. At least 1500 are homeless. For their aid, money raised in appeals has now passed the £50,000 mark, and the biggest relief organisation ever set up in peace time has swung into operation. The First Hint Victoria's first hint of what was to come appeared on Sunday, January 8, when most parts of the State awoke to find a blistering day awaiting. At 12.20 p.m., when the thermometer reached its highest for the day, 109.6 degrees, the first fire victims were at that moment going to their death on a bush track five feet wide off the main road to Narbethong. They were the forestry officers Charles Isaac Demby and John Hartley Barling, who went to warn Demby of his danger when he parted from his companions, and was himself surrounded by the treacherous fire. It was not until 8 o'clock next morning that the tragic news was flashed throughout the State. Searchers found the two charred bodies close together, one seeking protection in the nook of two logs. Barling's watch had stopped at 1.20. In the meantime, tragedy was spreading its cloak. By Monday, big fires were raging at Toolangi, Erica, Yallourn, Monbulk, Frankston, Dromana, Drouin South, Glenburn, and Blackwood, with smaller outbreaks at many other centres. In the ensuing week, while women and children were evacuated as fast as the flames would permit, Erica-scene of the 1926 fire disaster-thrice escaped doom by a change of wind. Indeed, those who have been in the fire country these past days say that the numbers of times a change of wind has saved towns from destruction is amazing. In the towns they speak of miracles. Monday's Miracles The escapes from Monett's Mill at Erica and from the Hardwood Company's Mill at Murrindindi, near where Demby and Barling went to their death, were Monday's miracles. Twenty came out alive from each mill. At the first a 60ft. dugout provided an oven-like refuge; at the second, 12 women and children survived in the smoke-filled gloom of a three-roomed cottage while their eight men, their clothes sometimes afire, poured water on the wooden walls. Three houses out of ten remained when the fire had passed. Record Temperatures Sunday had been the hottest Melbourne day for 33 years; Monday dropped to a 76.1 degree maximum; but Tuesday dawned hotter than ever, the mercury reaching 112.5. By now rumor was racing ahead of fact; whole towns were being reported lost; the alarm was raised for scores of missing persons. But fact soon overtook rumor, and within a few days the staggering toll began to mount to a figure beyond the wildest imaginings of the panic-stricken. Six died from heat on this torrid Tuesday, and the fires spread in a wide swathe from south-west to north-east across the State. Fish died in shallow streams. A curtain of smoke hid the sky from all Victoria, and hung far out to sea. It alarmed passengers on ships. On the Ormonde, on the voyage to Sydney from Burnie, women ran on deck, believing fire had broken out in the hold. Days later the smoke reached New Zealand. In Melbourne thousands of fire-volunteers were leaving in cars: vans, motor-buses-anything reliable on wheels-to aid the country in its grim fight. In the fires at Rubicon and. Narbethong, seventeen were facing death this day. But not till Wednesday, when Melbourne breathed again in a cool change, while the country still sweltered in temperatures up to 117 degrees, did the news come through the tree blocked roads. A woman and her little daughter, trapped on the road, were among those who died. Their bodies, and those of menfolk with them, were found strewn out at intervals along the road, where the furnace of the surrounding fire had dropped them in their tracks as they ran. Twelve died at a Rubicon mill, five on the road at Narbethong. At Alexandra, not far distant, a baby was born while the fires raged, and stretcher-bearers brought in the injured. On Thursday the State Government voted £5000 for the relief of fire victims. The Governor (Lord Huntingfield) and the Lord Mayor (Cr. Coles) visited some of the stricken areas, and dipped into their pockets personally. Later, the City Council, too, voted £5000. Friday, The 13th Friday, the Thirteenth, justified its evil name. A blistering northerly came early in the morning, presaging destruction, and forcing the mercury to a new record of 114 degrees. Racing fires killed at least ten in those terrible 12 hours. Four children were engulfed in the furnace at Colac. Panic drove them, uncontrollable, into the smoke-filled road when the fire raced down behind their home. They choked to death. In other parts fires were joining to make fronts of scores of miles. Kinglake was being menaced on two fronts, £60,000 worth of timber was going up in smoke in Ballarat district. Warburton was surrounded. Residents at Lorne, favoured resort, were being driven to the sea-front by a fire which destroyed at least 20 homes. Healewille. with flames visible from the town at one stage, was in a trough between two fires which burned four guest-houses, seven homes and left its surrounding beauty-spots wastes of bowed-over, blackened tree-fern fronds; with its famous Sanctuary, however, intact. Most of Omeo was destroyed this black day: Noojee. while 200 residents crouched in the river, was being reduced to a waste of buckled iron and smoking timber; Erica was once again saved by a change of wind. Beneath a pall of smoke, the Rubicon victims were buried at Alexandra. Friday night and the early hours of Saturday saw the streets of beleagured towns strewn with exhausted fire-fighters. Their flails beside them, ready for the next call, they lay where exhaustion overtook them-on footpaths, beside lamp-posts, in gutters, in cars, under trucks. Saturday's dawn brought clear skies and lower temperatures in many parts, and from the burnt-out areas came a great rush of tragic reports. The death-roll rushed past the fifty mark with incredible speed. Some had been trapped on roads, others at mills; some, after burying their treasures, had clung too long to the places they had made their homes for many years. Four men lost their lives because one went back for his dog. By Sunday, when the first of the saving rain came, nearly another score of names had been added to the list.Newspaper magazine, 48 pages (incl. covers). Fully digitised and searchable PDFPublished in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents.bushfires, 1939 bushfires, black friday, warrandyte

This school book which was owned by George Mathieson contains maps and information on different countries around the world. It is handwritten and is probably of secondary school level. The maps appear to have been traced and hand-drawn and coloured. There is a loose newspaper map of the Dardenelles loose in the book. This book as an example of school work and geography in the early 20th century, has social and historical significance.Pale green light card cover with dark green pattern and text. Back cover is plain. It contains alternate pages of tracing paper in between normal pages. Bound with cotton? threadGeorge mathieson, written in ink on front cover.warrnambool, federal drawing book, george mathieson, school drawing book 1920's,

This jacket was part of the working uniform of the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade in the mid 20th century. It belonged to John (Jack) Sizeland, a member of the Fire Brigade for over 37 years. He retired in 1977. Prompted by a fire at the Flying Buck Hotel in Liebig Street the Warrnambool Fire Brigade was established in the mid 1860s. It has been successful in Victorian Fire Brigade Championships over the years, especially in the 19th century. It is currently situated in Mortlake Road. This jacket is of interest as an example of the clothing worn by firefighters in Victoria in the mid 20th century. It is also of interest because it was worn by Jack Sizeland, a local firefighter for over 37 years. This is a black double-breasted cloth jacket with six brass buttons down the front and two brass buttons on the lapels. The buttons are impressed with a shield and the words ‘Country Fire Authority Victoria’. There are two brass clips on the side to hold a belt. There are two black and red cloth attachments at the top of each sleeve (‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’). There is some black cloth lining inside the garment across the shoulders. The maker’s label, ‘David Lack Pty Ltd, Melbourne’ is on the inside collar. ‘David Lack Pty Ltd Melbourne’ ‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’ warrnambool fire brigade, jack sizeland, history of warrnambool

This blazer was worn by a Warrnambool Fire Brigade member (Jack Sizeland). It was part of the dress uniform for fire brigade members in the 1960s and 70s. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade was established in the early 1860s after a fire at the Flying Buck Hotel in Liebig Street prompted a public meeting to establish a permanent fire authority in the town. There had been a couple of attempts previously to set up a local fire brigade. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade actively participates in Country Fire Authority Championships and competitions and has been very successful, particularly in the 19th century. John (Jack) Sizeland retired when he was 65 in 1977 (37 years of service).This blazer is of interest as it shows us what fire fighters in Warrnambool were wearing in the mid 20th century (dress uniform). It is also a memento of one long-serving firefighter, Jack SizelandThis is a man’s black blazer with three large black buttons. The sleeve ends and the three pockets have a diagonal red and black patterned braid stitched on. The upper portion of the blazer and the sleeves are lined with black material. The top pocket has the badge of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade in red and yellow stitched on. The badge features a Fire Brigade helmet, a ladder and two axes set in two concentric circles. A printed label with the owner’s name (Sizeland) is stitched inside the collar areaName ‘Sizeland’ stitched inside collar areawarrnambool fire brigade, country fire authority, john sizeland, history of warrnambool