Method of carrying rolled up canvas fire hose. Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled. Canvas fire hose and roll carrier. The wire handle separates in the middle to release the hose rollbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump

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. This is the Mark 5 from 1992Alan McAthur's scientific legacy with the FFDI meter is unquestionably huge and has served forest firefighters very well over the decades.Control burning meter Series of circular slide rules to calculate Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI)bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

In 1949 the Commonwealth Forestry and Timber Bureau proposed a national planting program to make Australia more self-reliant in timber products after the shortages experienced during the war. The threat of introduced sirex woodwasp from Europe in the early 1950s and its eventual discovery on the Australian mainland in 1961 brought the softwood plantation program into question. However, quarantine and control measures using tree destruction and a nematode parasite was put in place.Sirex noctilio was a serious threat to softwood plantations in AustraliaSirex wood wasps encased in resinplantations, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. This canvas hose beater was based on a century-old design which used lengths of canvas fire hose rivetted together and lashed with wire to a broom handle. The hose was be soaked in water to improve its effectiveness. If the flames were more than a metre or so the user was generally not able to get close enough to extinguish the fire It's recommend that users lift no more than above knee height to conserve energy and let the beater to the work. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts and later RakehoesEarly firefighting toolBushfire beater - Canvas with wooden handleR P PWD (Public Works Department) The handle has painted markings which indicate which FCV District it belonged to.bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. This leather beater was based on a century-old stockman's design which used green cow hide leather lashed to a broom handle. It's recommend that users lift no more than above knee height to conserve energy and let the beater to the work. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts and later RakehoesEarly firefighting toolBushfire beater - Leather with wooden handlebushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

The successful dropping of supplies to remote fire crews involved a great deal of experimentation. The result was a large heavy-duty cardboard container being developed in 1964 by Athol Hodgson from the FCV Fire Research Branch which employed fold-out wings and was called the “helibox”. It was suitable for supplies weighing less than 9 kg and best dropped from about 300 feet and became a standard technique. It was adopted Australia wide, but the wider availability of helicopters made the helibox eventually redundant. Unique to Victoria but adopted across Australia.Large cardboard box with "wings" to cause it to rotate when dropped from the air. Wings held in place by means of string office "Ty-Tite" fasteners.bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Seedlings were lifted from seedbeds in FCV nurseries, usually early in the morning, then packed to be transported by road or rail. The seedlings risked damage if they dried out. These baskets were used to transport and protect open-rooted pine seedlings. Thought be used at French Island in about 1920.Large wicker basket used to transport seedlings With metal locking mechanism and wicker handle Donated by FCV forester, Bert Semmensnurseries, plantations, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Hose nozzle size can affect the stream of water. A smaller hole puts out a longer stream but with less volume. A longer water stream is useful when trying to extinguish fire or sparks high in the tree tops. They were often used with high pressure pumps like the Pacific Marine.Aluminum fire hose nozzle(s) with Y joint and interchangeable brass attachments For 1.5 inch hose with screw attachments rather than modern twist-camm locks. The main nozzle is aluminum alloy and the interchangeable nozzles are made of brass.bushfire, fire pump, forests commission victoria (fcv)

The origins of the humble handheld driptorch have been lost in time. They are widely used for ignition in controlled burning operations in forest and grasslands. The date, origins and manufacturer of this particular model are unknown. The “Pacific Forester“ with its short central wand and somewhat leaky ball-valve was made by the American Wajax company in the 1940s. The Pacific Forester is slightly different in design from the more robust and common “Panama” driptorch first manufactured in 1933 and used extensively by Queensland cane farmers. The Panama is closely related to the current “Firebug” used in Victoria which is manufactured by Rodney Industries in Brisbane. The fuel is a mixture of petrol and diesel and every FCV District had their own closely-guarded secret formula ... 2:1, 3:1, 1:1, 4:1 or 3:2 ratio. There was also the choice of 91, 95 or 98 octane petrol mixed with summer or winter diesel. Occasionally some of the old Avgas or Jet-A1 lying around the depot was added with a splash of engine oil to make the mixture stick to the fuel to be ignited. The fuel mixed also varied between autumn or spring, heathland, mixed forest, or high-intensity slash burnsEarly driptorch designDrip torch with handle Wand has loop and valve. The loop is designed to assist with even flow of fuel which flows out onto the burning head of the wand. Soldered tin fuel container which holds burner mix. Gravitational feed of the driptorch allows the unit to drip fire, making it simple and quick to operate. bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Honour boards and rolls were erected in many local schools, halls, churches and offices as a means of acknowledging the commitment made by the community to the military forces. The criteria used for inclusion of names on an honour board were determined by those creating the board and can vary. This board lists the names of 20 people from the State Forests Department who enlisted in WW1. The most significant name is Albert Jacka VC who was perhaps Australia’s finest fighting soldier, and has the honour of being the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross during WW1, the highest decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Most of the other names have been researched.Roll of HonourMembers of the Forest Service of Victoria who enlisted & went to The Great War 1914 - 1919forests commission victoria (fcv)

Location unknown.The photo shows a sandy track through bushland.'Forests Commission, Victoria' inscribed on bottom, right of border. 'Publicity & Public relations Branch, When reproducing please Acknowledge Forests Commission, Victoria, Negative No. 322-14' stamped on back.access routes, roads, scenery, grampians ranges

The location in the photo is unknown.The photo shows a road, seen on a slope, in the distance, crossing through bushland'Forests Commission, Victoria' inscribed on bottom, right of border. 'Publicity & Public relations Branch, When reproducing please Acknowledge Forests Commission, Victoria, Negative No. 322-1' stamped on back.access routes, roads, scenery, grampians ranges

The photo is taken from Reed's Lookout.The photo shows the view across a valley from a (Reed's Lookout). The foreground is two large rock platforms. A reservoir (Moora Moora) and ranges can be seen in the background. Roads can be seen in the valley in the foreground.'Forests Commission, Victoria' inscribed on bottom, right of border. 'Publicity & Public relations Branch, When reproducing please Acknowledge Forests Commission, Victoria, Negative No. 322-23' stamped on back.scenery, lookouts

This photo is a view from the road at Reed's Lookout.The photo shows the view from beside a road (the road at Reed's Lookout), across bushland to a large reservoir (Lake Wartook). There is a range of peaks in the background. The road forms the foreground.'Forests Commission, Victoria' inscribed on bottom, right of border. 'Publicity & Public relations Branch, When reproducing please Acknowledge Forests Commission, Victoria, Negative No. 322-34' stamped on back.scenery, lookouts

White booklet on victorian timbers.Forest Commission of Victoria.|Victorian Timbers.|Exhibited at the Australian Natives Association Exhibition.books, reference

A leaflet about the history and location of the William Ricketts Sanctuary at Mt. Dandenong. Is administered by The Forests Commission Victoria. C 1964 mapplace, public gardens, willilam ricketts sanctuary, mt. da, lydia chancellor, collection, tourism, geography, travel, map, the william ricketts sanctuary, dandenong, recreation, victoria, exploration, history, place

Typical of promotional photos taken by Forestry Commission VictoriaMan facing away from camera, on walking track, looking at large fallen tree trunk. He is surrounded by very tall tree ferns.Forests Commission, Victoria and picture logo printed in R/H white border LC.32 written on backscenery, walkers

Plan of Tawonga showing roads etc, rivers, use of land in 1968 and of Feathertop in 1969.Historical use of land in Tawonga and Feathertop.1. Topographical Map - Tawonga 803 Forests Commission of Victoria 1968. Cream paper with black print. Legend: Roads, tracks etc, rivers, Parishes and use of land. 2. Feathertop 813. 1969tawonga map 1968, tawonga parishes, feathertop map 1969

Series of black and white photos showing workers bagging potatoes and loading onto trucks. These were taken on the Hermon farm on Black Hill Road, Menzies Creek. The Hermon family leased this land from the State Forest Commission.

A Forestry Commission photo of MacKenzie Falls.Photo shows a large waterfall (MacKenzie Falls), taken from a fairly high vantage point. The river comes into the falls in two separate streams and there is a large volume of water flowing. The falls are surrounded by thick bush."Publicity & Public Relations branch. When reproducing please Acknowledge FORESTS COMMISSION, VICTORIA. Negative No. 322-2" stamped on rear (except negative number, which is hand written in pen)scenery, mackenzie falls

Forest Commission Office Opening 1972. Series of ten photographs.stawell

Parish Plan of Creswick showing Slaty Creek, Old Gold Workings, Police Reserve, Railway Station, Public Gardens, Sawpit Gully, Hospital Reserve, Nigh Soil Depot, Eureka Terracotta Tile COmpany, Creswick Creek, Forest COmmission, Roycroft's Racecreswick, eureka terracotta tile co, parish plan

Kith Kiln was the site of a short lived charcoal kiln designed to provide an alternative to petrol during World War 11 when there was a fuel shortage. Local history has been told by Genseric (Bill) Parker and the reflections collected by Friends of Kirth Kiln (under the auspices of Parks Victoria).The booklet is significant because it tells the story of the development of the Kirth Kiln Park in Gembrook, from the Friends perspective.The park is not only historical but is also of great environmental significance and it forms part of community life in the district. Green soft cover booklet of 128 pages. The front cover has 2 photos; the top one of the caretakers compound with Forest Commission huts and the bottom photo is of the Lake, taken from the dam on Tomahawk Creek. The back cover has a diagram of the Kiln logo.Fireside Stories with Genseric (Bill) Parker and Lorna Parker. Reflections collected by Friends of Kirth Kiln.kirth kiln, genseric parker, parks victoria, gembrook, charcoal burner