Close up photograph of the plaque on the Kyeema cairn at Mt Dandenong. The text reads: FIFTY METRES BELOW THIS POINT ON 25 OCT. 1938, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AIRWAYS' DC-2 'KYEEMA' PLUNGED TO DESTRUCTION WHILE THE MOUNTAIN WAS ENVELOPED IN CLOUD. ALL 18 PERSONS ON BOARD PERISHED. FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUBSEQUENT ENQUIRY HAVE EVOLVED THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS IN USE THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA TODAY. THIS PLAQUE, PLACED BY THE MOUNT DANDENONG HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM G. GRAMP & SONS, THOS. HARDY & SONS, S. SMITH & SON, AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF AIR PILOTS AND FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA, WAS UNVEILED ON 25TH OCT. 1978 TO MARK THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISASTER.kyeema, cairn, plaque, mt dandenong, air crash

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne.Radio setSTC Star Radio Telephone Type FR5.1.25-STradios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne.Radio setManufactured by McLeod Electric - Derrinallumradios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

This sign proudly hung outside the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) Beechworth office which is now site of the Forestry Heritage Museum. The granite building in the Beechworth's historic precinct was once the Gold Warden's Office and is one of the town's original buildings. The FCV was the main government authority responsible for management and protection of State forests in Victoria between 1918 and 1983. The Commission was responsible for ″forest policy, prevention and suppression of bushfires, issuing leases and licences, planting and thinning of forests, the development of plantations, reforestation, nurseries, forestry education, the development of commercial timber harvesting and marketing of produce, building and maintaining forest roads, provision of recreation facilities, protection of water, soils and wildlife, forest research and making recommendations on the acquisition or alienation of land for forest purposes″. The Forests Commission had a long and proud history of innovation and of managing Victoria's State forests but in September 1983 lost its discrete identity when it was merged into the newly formed Victorian Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (CFL) along with the Crown Lands and Survey Department, National Park Service, Soil Conservation Authority and Fisheries and Wildlife Service. After the amalgamation the management of State forests and the forestry profession continued but the tempo of change accelerated, with many more departmental restructures occurring over the subsequent four decades. Responsibilities are currently split between the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Forests Fire Management Victoria (FFMV), Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Alpine Resorts Commission, the State Government-owned commercial entity VicForests and the privately owned Hancock Victorian Plantations (HVP).Large office sign. Hand painted in traditional FCV mission brown and gold colour scheme.forests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs

PETER ELLIS COLLECTION: Submission by The Bendigo Field Naturalist Club for the Preservation of the Whipstick Bendigo 1971 The submission was sent to the Minister for Forests. 'On behalf of the Bendigo Field Naturalist's Club, we, the President and Honorary Secretary, make application to the Forests Commission to have two areas, as approximately shown in green on the maps submitted (under separate cover), and being in the parishes of Huntly Nerring and Whirakee, Edgerton declared as Forest Parks under the Appropriate Act.' The Submission has the following contents: Bendigo's Claim for a Forest Park or National Park The Proposed Foiorest Parks Near Bendigo The Flora of The Proposed Whipstick Forest Park Species of Native Plants Bendigo Whipstick Area 1971 Species of Birds Bendigo Whipstick Area 1971 Mammals of the Whipstick Historical Bendigo Whipstick Statisticsperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Cairn commemorating the crash of the aircraft Kyeema on the western slope of Mt Dandenong on October 25th, 1938. Photograph taken in 1988. Text on plaque reads: FIFTY METRES BELOW THIS POINT ON 25 OCT. 1938, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AIRWAYS' DC-2 'KYEEMA' PLUNGED TO DESTRUCTION WHILE THE MOUNTAIN WAS ENVELOPED IN CLOUD. ALL 18 PERSONS ON BOARD PERISHED. FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUBSEQUENT ENQUIRY HAVE EVOLVED THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS IN USE THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA TODAY. THIS PLAQUE, PLACED BY THE MOUNT DANDENONG HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM G. GRAMP & SONS, THOS. HARDY & SONS, S. SMITH & SON, AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF AIR PILOTS AND FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA, WAS UNVEILED ON 25TH OCT. 1978 TO MARK THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISASTER.kyeema, cairn, mt dandenong, air crash

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne. Little is known about this particular radio handsetField radio telephone with handset.radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

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

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 signbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs

The Forests Commission developed the use of helicopters for aerial ignition from the mid 1960s. Bryant and May at Richmond worked with the Commission to develop a Delayed Action Incendiary Device. DAIDs as the were known, had an overall length of 180 mm, striker end length - 10 mm. Ignition end length - 80 mm, then a layer of high melting point wax (to prevent accidental ignition when rubbing together in transit). Both ends coated with a modified match head compound with safety fuse exposed length between coated match ends. There was a 17-second delay from when the small end was struck to an intense flaming of the large end, which lasted for 40 seconds. DAIDs were dangerous so were stored in a metal box outside the helicopter along with a disposable striker patch attached with a quick release pin to a special half-door. The first test was with a Bell 47G on 4 October 1967 and the first use, anywhere in the world, of DAIDs to backburn a large bushfire was undertaken in north eastern Victoria in February 1968. There was a crash of an FCV helicopter conducting aerial ignition near Wandiligong on 19 April 1978 with the tragic death of two forest officers and their pilot. The crash led to the immediate end of the use of DAIDs and the adoption of the safer Premo ping-pong ball incendiary machine which originally came from Canada but was modified at the Altona workshops. Overall, the development of aerial ignition techniques by the Forests Commission from the mid-1960s resulted in a steady climb in the area burnt each year…. peaking at 477,000 ha in 1980-81 and with an impressive 10-year rolling average of 220,000 ha around the time of 1983 Ash Wednesday Bushfires.Developed in Victoria for aerial ignitionLarge double ended match used for aerial ignition and back burning by dropping from a helicopterbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

This is a photograph of Alf R. Barling who was the bandmaster of the Orbost Municipal Band from 1961 - 1978. He played bass and cornet. This photographer, Peter Fagg, worked as a scientist with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (now DELWP) to study dieback in eucalypts. He specialised in the silviculture of the eucalypt forest types of South-East Australia for most of his 40-year career, which started with the Forests Commission Victoria. He was in Orbost from 1968 - 1973. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A coloured photograph of a man in a band uniform holding a brass instrument ( a cornet?). The photograph has been taken outdoors. The photograph is in a frame with gold esges.on back - Alf R. Barling 1977barling-alf orbost-municipal-band

Melton Urban Fire Brigade started in 1935. 1942, it had been registered with the BUSH FIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE and a Certificate of Registration No 425 was issued. The Officers were as follows:- 1st Lieutenant E.W. Barrie 2nd Lieutenant T.L. Barrie 3rd Lieutenant Tom Knox In 1945 the C.F.A. became the controlling authority. Prior to this date D24 was the Nerve Centre of the Fire Fighting System with representatives of Country Fire Brigades, Forests Commission and D24. This information was in a typed document prepared by Edna Barrie 1975 Captains (approx dates) Constable ROY CORBETT BON BARRIE EDGAR BARRIE URBAN EDGAR BARRIE STEVE HIRT Captains who followed Roy Corbett List of known Captains 1935 – 1975 Jack Wallace Roy Corbett Bon Barrie Edgar Barrie Steve Hirt Members of Melton Urban Fire Brigadeemergency services, local identities

Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin.Uncommon usageTelescope used in fire towers Ex military Kern Company NY Argus made in USA Adjustment lens, dials and focus ring Small spirit levelbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin.Uncommon usageAlidade Sight TubeFCV and bearing markers on the alloy base. Very simple design. bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. Pye-Electronic Pty Ltd (which had taken over Radio Corporation after the war) decided to design a transceiver to replace the RC16B. Designated the TRP-1, it was considerably lighter and used less power than the earlier RC16B while offering similar or better performance. This radio was used in the Mt Wombat fire tower which overlooks the Strathbogie Ranges and surrounding farmland.Portable Radio PYE TRP-1. radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Among the many pressing priorities for Alf Lawrence, the Forests Commission's new Chief Fire Officer, in rebuilding the firefighting capacity after the catastrophic 1939 bushfires was to invest heavily in modern vehicles and equipment. Powered pumps like the trailer-mounted Coventry Climax (Godiva) gave firefighters a much greater capacity than ever before to put the “wet stuff on the red stuff”. Its four-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled, petrol motor produced 38Hp and was connected with either 1½ inch or 2½ inch canvas hose for direct attack, or as a filler pump it could deliver 300 gallons per minute at 120 psi. Some of the first acquisitions included this war surplus veteran shipped over from the London after the blitz bombings of WW2. Fire pump mounted on trailer Two lengths of suction hose, nozzles and some tools.Coventry Climax Serial 3844 FCV No 24fire pump, forests commission victoria (fcv)

This booklet was compiled for the anniversary celebrations of the Orbost Municipal Band on November 8, 1975. It was compiled by Peter Fagg who worked as a scientist with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (now DELWP) to study dieback in eucalypts. He specialised in the silviculture of the eucalypt forest types of South-East Australia for most of his 40-year career, which started with the Forests Commission Victoria. He was in Orbost from 1968 - 1973. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah HallThe various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A 12 pp stapled booklet compiled for the anniversary celebration of the Orbost Municipal Band. It has been typed in black ink on foolscap sized white paper.orbost-municipal-band music-orbost fagg-peter

Mr E. Knight was the president of the Orbost Municipal Band from 1972 - 1978. The photographer, Peter Fagg, worked as a scientist with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (now DELWP) to study dieback in eucalypts. He specialised in the silviculture of the eucalypt forest types of South-East Australia for most of his 40-year career, which started with the Forests Commission Victoria. He was in Orbost from 1968 - 1973. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A coloured photograph of a man in a band uniform holding a brass instrument ( a french horn?). It is under glass framed in a white and gold wooden frame.on back - ".....E. Knight.......Dec 1978"music recreation orbost-municipal-band knight-g.

The goldfields resulted in the almost complete denuding of trees for access to the gold bearing land, for firewood and for the tanning industry. The need for wood further increased with the advent of deep quartz mining that required timbers for shoring up the shafts and tunnels. At some point in time it became necessary for timber to be carted long distances to fulfil the need. Between 1878 and 1884, the government set up 5 nurseries to try and rectify the shortage of native softwoods and encouraged the growth of State plantations and the thinning of trees to encourage growth of those remaining. 1907 - Creswick School of Forestry and Forest Management was started 1919 Establishment of the Forests Commission and the planting of many pine plantations 1924 Establishment of the first fire spotting towers Forest management tasks became a main project for "Susso" recipients during the Great Depression and again for internees during WWII.An 8 page document by David Bannear about the various industries of the Bendigo Goldfields and their effects on terraforming the local environment david bannear, central goldfields

The Forests Commission and its successors continuously encouraged bushfire research and innovation. In 1946 a large parcel of industrial land was purchased at North Altona as a fire cache and workshop. The Altona workshop became a hotbed of new technological innovation… an exhilarating place where lots of things were invented and tested. In fact, a lot of Australia’s pioneering equipment development was led by staff from Altona, often in collaboration with other State forestry and fire authorities. The CSIRO also contributed significantly. The US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management and US State agencies such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire (CalFire) as well as the Canadian Forest Service faced similar challenges and proved strong and willing partners in sharing knowledge, ideas, equipment and expertise over many decades. This collection of badges is testament to the relationships that were forged across the globe with the Altona workshop. Large display panel featuring many fire service badgesbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

In the post-war era from 1947 to the mid-1980s, the Forests Commission sponsored Australia's only military sawmilling unit, the 91 Forestry Squadron. It was a special reserve unit of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). Established and commanded by Commission forester and WW2 veteran, Major Ben Benallack, the "Woodpeckers" as they were known comprised a small pool of specialised soldiers capable of rapid mobilisation in the event of need. Several other Victorian departments such as the State Electricity Commission (SEC) did the same thing who supported a construction squadron based at Newborough in the Latrobe Valley. The scheme created a very active and capable part-time military group that completed many worthy projects across the State. In addition to their military training, the Woodpeckers operated bush sawmills, built timber bridges along the Murray River, the Snake Island Jetty, forest roads and performed various demolition tasks.Presentation plaque from the "Woodpeckers" Mounted on polished wooden burl forests commission victoria (fcv)

The Forests Commission developed the use of helicopters for aerial ignition from the mid 1960s. Bryant and May at Richmond worked with the Commission to develop a Delayed Action Incendiary Device. DAIDs as the were known, had an overall length of 180 mm, striker end length - 10 mm. Ignition end length - 80 mm, then a layer of high melting point wax (to prevent accidental ignition when rubbing together in transit). Both ends coated with a modified match head compound with safety fuse exposed length between coated match ends. There was a 17-second delay from when the small end was struck to an intense flaming of the large end, which lasted for 40 seconds. Other types on large matches known as fusees were also used. DAIDs and Fusees were dangerous so were transported in this wooden box lined with foam cushioning. Wooden safety box lined with foam cushion Fuseesbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

The settlement of Cabbage Tree Creek is located on the Princes Highway, 27 km east of Orbost in East Gippsland. The creek, which flows through undulating forest, takes its name from the patches of Cabbage Fan palms growing along its course. A school commenced classes in 1913, but enrolment was small and at times the school operated part time with several other small schools in the area. The school building served as a hall for the district. About 1946 two sawmills commenced operations at Cabbage Tree Creek, and the Forests Commission ranger was stationed in the area. The increased population allowed the school to have more teachers and make improvements. In 1953, a new prefabricated building was erected on a new site. However, by the 1970s employment in the timber industry was unstable and the population decreased. By 1974 the school again had only one teacher and eventually closed in 1993 to amalgamate with the Orbost primary School in Ruskin Street, Orbost. (Ref. VictorianPlaces)The school bell is a signal that tells a school's students when it is time to go to class in the morning and when it is time to change classes during the day as well as when students are dismissed from school. In most schools today it will be a tone, siren, electronic bell sound, a series of chimes, or music played over an intercom but often still called "the school bell". This item reflects the history of Cabbage Tree Creek as well as the technological changes in the school system.Brass bell with incised double lines on bottom edge and top near handle, featuring descriptive notation on front face. Bell has long wooden handle shaped and incised with four lines at base before brass housing with singular screw holding handle in place. Object is showing signs of wear, with blackened handle and patches of green oxidisation.SCHOOL BELL / SS No 3812 / CABBAGE TREE CREEK / PRIMARY SCHOOL / 1913-1993 / FORMALLY INCORPORATED / INTO / ORBOST / PRIMARY SCHOOL / 1994cabbage tree, east gippsland, cabbage tree creek, cabbage tree creek primary school, orbost primary school, school bells

Some decades ago a card sorting set for the identification and description of Australian timbers was developed for timber species which were available commercially and were in common usage, by the Commonwealth of Australia (CSIRO, Division of Forest Products) To complement and inform this national timber set each State or Territory developed reference timber sets of representative species. The Commercial Timbers of Victoria set was Victoria’s most recent (circa 1984) expression of this Victorian timber samples were sourced from logs selected by Forest Commission of Victoria (FCV) District Foresters and milled locally. Kiln drying and machining was carried out at timber producers Row, Web and Anderson, in Port Melbourne. Labeling and boxing was done by FCV Timber Inspectors, with box and booklet design and graphics handled in-house More recent timber samples were badged as Conservation Forests & Lands, reflecting historical government restructuring in the early 1980s Info: Simon MurphyProvided the public, industry (timber and associated), and educational facilities with a reference collection of notable Victorian timbers. Initially in a reduced format from 1940-50s, with boxed sets produced from 1981 until 1984A boxed set of timber samples representing the 20 tree species that were considered to be the most notable in Victoria. The set also includes an information booklet. Each timber specimen has information on species, occurrence, uses and physical properties Produced for sale by the the FCV and later by the Department of Conservation Forests and Lands. (CFL). forests commission victoria (fcv)

The Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) was originally invented by the grandfather of Australian bushfire science, Alan Grant McArthur, during the 1950s and ‘60s. Alan published his landmark paper, “Controlled burning in eucalypt forests” in 1962. Leaflet No. 80, as it was known, proved a turning point for forest and fire managers across Australia. More importantly, Alan was very practical forester and wanted his work to be useful to people in the field, so after several iterations he came up with the now familiar circular slide rule called the Forest Fire Danger Meter (FFDM).  The Mk 4 version first appeared in operational use in 1967. Two Forests Commission staff, Athol Hodgson and Rus Ritchie, built on McArthur’s pioneering work and by applying their own practical experience, developed a modified version in the late 1960s called the Control Burning Meter which was better suited to Victorian forest conditions.Introduced to the FCV in 1970Control burning meterbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

From the early 1960s, the Forests Commission had pre-season arrangements in place with local aeroclubs and pilots across regional Victoria. Air observers from FCV districts routinely flew during the summer months in small, fixed-wing aircraft on fire spotting missions and to map fire boundaries. The information was often needed quickly by crews on the ground or in the control centre and these small chutes were used to drop messages and maps from the reconnaissance aircraft on a low pass above a cleared area like a football field. About 3-foot long when fully extended, they had a small pouch secured with a press stud for the map or package. The chutes were made from tough canvas with a small, weighted sandbag at one end and a long yellow streamer tail on the other to help direct its fall and locating it on the ground. Drop chutes were still in common use in the 1990s, but the increased availability of helicopters combined with improved digital data transfer made drop chutes redundant. Simple, but now redundant technologyAerial drop chute"Return to Forests Comm Vic" stenciled on sidebushfire

The spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products. Ltd. in 1926. They established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks. Knapsacks were quickly adapted to a range of applications and were widely used by the C.F.A (Country Fire Authority). They were also widely used for defence during World War II. REGA was later purchased by the Garrard family and still operate as part of Garrads Pty Ltd. This sprayer was one of the units used by the C.F. A. in Wodonga. The Country FIre Authority was established in 1945 following a Royal Commission into the 1939 Black Friday fires which recommended a single firefighting authority for country Victoria, bringing together the Bush Fire Brigades, Country Fire Brigades and Forest Commission. The first fire brigade, the Wodonga Urban Fire Brigade was formed in 1891 and registered in May 1893. Since that time its volunteers have provided ongoing support to the Wodonga and District communities through events such as urban fires, bushfires and other emergency situations. This item is representative of the Wodonga Country Fire Authority and its many volunteers.A knapsack sprayer designed to be used for spraying insects. The unit includes brass fittings, leather straps and a spray arm and nozzle attached. It was also adapted to be widely used by firefighters.On front: REGA / C.F.A. Around lid: REGA SPRAYERSrega sprayers, cfa region 24, cfa volunteers, cfa wodonga, wodonga urban fire brigade, fire fighting equipment

Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. There are at least three categories of firetowers… (1) tree perches, (2) four-legged towers made of either wood or steel, as well as (3) hilltop cabins and observatories. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. The wooden towers were often built by bush craftsmen like legendary FCV overseer Clem Heather from Orbost. But advances in aerial reconnaissance and radio technology led to the gradual reduction in the number of fixed towers. FFMV now operates 72 firetowers. The CFA, Melbourne Water, Hancock Victorian Plantations (HVP) also operate some, the Army has one at Puckapunyal overlooking the live-firing range. Only two remaining fire towers of this design remain in Victoria (Mt Little Dick and Big Tower in the Mullungdung State Forest). Mt Nowa Nowa and Stringers Knob burnt down in the 2019/20 bushfiresLarge model of an Reef Hills fire tower. Presumably used for instructional purposes. Traditional FCV four legged design with three landings and closed cabin.bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Beech Forest first entered the association prior to World War 1, playing in maroon and gold on a ground situated 200 metres north of the final ground. Little is known of the competition in those days. The Club reformed in 1921. Beech Forest changed its colours to Richmond colours and used a ground south of the township, now known as the Football Break Road in the Forest Commission pine plantation. In 1922 the site of the present ground had been purchased but it was 1929 before it was first used, and it was used every year, except 1953 when G. Bellchamber's paddock was used while major renovations were carried out on their home ground. It was in the same year, 1929, that they changed their colours yet again to the blue with white V colours, which they retained until the Club disbanded. Beech Forest won premierships in 1924 and 1940. In 1945 the Club reformed yet again to enter the Otway Association. They were successful in winning premierships in 1946, 1947, 1952 and 1953. Finally, in 1957, the Club disbanded to become part of the Otway Rovers Football Club.Beech Forest Football Club, (1) Annual Meeting and Ordinary Meeting Minutes, November 1948 - September 1952; (2) Annual Meeting and Ordinary Meeting Minutes March 1953 - April 1954, Statements of Receipts and Expenditure 1950 - 1952. 2x Exercise Book.Insert: Grounds used; Best and Fairest Players.beech forest; football; minutes;

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission 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 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 4G 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.Base station radio with handsetRC-4B Amalgamated Wireless Australiabushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)