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 handsetModel 11/53M Serial 649 Manufactured by Harding Bros Horshambushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

VG Swanson 25OT Floating Crane model in display case

Used World War Two by German ArmyGerman Mauser 1932 Model 98. Weapon rendered inoperative.

First marketed in 1910, this early version Singer No 20 was sold as both a toy and adult miniature. The design underwent several improvements and cosmetic changes in the years that followed. By the mid 1900s, many companies had cloned the machine, with most showing the same uncertainties as to the intended market.A miniature 'Singer' Sewing machine ,Model 20, with hand crankSinger Pty Ltd early settlers, craftwork, toys, sewing machines, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, cheltenham, market gardeners, dressmaking

Submarine Plastic model of USS 198 Nambor 1939-1959model

QF 75 mm Mountain Gun Model II Shellammunition, ww1, army

Women's medium brown (used on nurse model) Langworthy VF387930uniform, ww2, army

Plastic, painted. 1:48 scale model of Canberra Bomber240 - on Fusalage. RAAF insigniamodel - plane

Model of F9 Vought jet fighter painted fawn colour202; AH 150906; USS Oryskany; Navy; VF-162model, aircraft, f9 vought

Model of A6E Intruder attack aircraft light grey in colourUSS Kittyhawkmodel, aircraft, a6e intruder

Model of Huey gunship attack helicopter painted olive green674; United States Armymodel, helicopter, huey

Model of Huey gunship attack helicopter. Olive green paint.674 united states army

Model of a Bell 206 Kiowa helicopter painted olive greenArmy, Red kangaroo on white circlemodel, helicopter, kiowa

Metal,model of ore carrying cage, painted black with trolley.bendigo, gold mining, ore trolley

Detailed model of US Army landing craft on grey basemodel, landing craft, us army

Model of US Army river patrol boat on grey basemodel, river patrol boat, us army

Created to supply training and recognition of friendly/enemy aircraft.Expanded the skills of recognition for ground crew, air crew and defence activities.Small bakelite CAC Boomerang aircraft model, coloured black.

Created to supply training and recognition of friendly/enemy aircraft.Expanded the skills of recognition for air crew,ground crew and defence activities.Large bakelite Consolidated 31 aircraft model coloured black."Consolidated31" E9-2994 D^D DLtdC

Bone model of a church with 'you will not kill' and figures of two girlsyou will not killmodel, 'tribute 08', nz

Made by unknown POW for a guard Cpl. McGlade probably in Camp 13.Model of white hulled, four masted sailing ship in a bottle.italian pow, ornaments, corporal mcglade, murchison camp 13, garrison guards

Black and white photograph of 2 ladies in an early model carOn back of photo: "Mrs. Bob Young (driver) Betty (Elizabeth Taylor). Passenger was Mrs George Ballack" "1st motor car to come to Rutherglen" car, history, automobile

WW 2 Infantry Soldier model in full military outfit. Small plaque inscribed BARD 19 km.

Colour slide in a mount. Image of Sydney Opera House ModelMade in Australia / Encircled 40 (Handwritten)slide, robin boyd

SS Pioneer was a steam dredging ship which was in service with the Department of Ports & Harbours, Melbourne, Australia, from 1905 to 1950. The Pioneer (aka SS Pioneer) was a steel steam driven pump driven sand dredge. She was built in Glasgow, Scotland for the Victorian Dept of Board of Works in 1905. The Pioneer was scuttled on 9 March 1950.Half model of suction dredge Pioneer in glass display casemodel, sand dredger, ss pioneer, port of melbourne

Half model of an 1890 couta boat made to plans of 'Ariel'1890's Couta Boat Victoria Aust.couta boat, 'ariel', half model

Model 92 Japanese field telephone, with carry case (EQ462A)equipment, ww2, army