David Armfield studied at the National Gallery School in the 1940s and turned to full time painting in 1965. RMIT printamking. He has won several art awards, including the Ramsay Prize - NGV School, the Redcliffe and in 1980 the Eltham Prize. Armfield is represented in the National Gallery collection, Art Gallery of NSW, Tasmanian Art Gallery, several regional art galleries across Australia as well as private collections. David Armfield first came to Eltham in the late 1903s on painting trips and used to camp on the banks of the Diamond Creed. He returned to Eltham in 1957 with his wife Joan who has subsequently become one of the district's potters, and built a mud brick house and studio in John Street on land adjoining Peter Glass. He has painted many landscapes in the district including intimate studies of the bush floor and the aftermath of bush fires.'Untitled' by David Armfield an oil on canvas painting depicts sand, sea, distant mountains and various figures scattered about in a typical Armfield landscape. The figures tend to be annonymous, sometimes included more to establish the scale than for a narrative purpose. The figures are well clothed and it could be assumed that it is not a hot summer's day. Depth is established by changing of colours and diminishing the size of the figures.david armfield, beach, eltham, nillumbik shire council

David Armfield studied at the National Gallery School in the 1940s and turned to full time painting in 1965. RMIT printamking. He has won several art awards, including the Ramsay Prize - NGV School, the Redcliffe and in 1980 the Eltham Prize. Armfield is represented in the National Gallery collection, Art Gallery of NSW, Tasmanian Art Gallery, several regional art galleries across Australia as well as private collections. David Armfield first came to Eltham in the late 1903s on painting trips and used to camp on the banks of the Diamond Creed. He returned to Eltham in 1957 with his wife Joan who has subsequently become one of the district's potters, and built a mud brick house and studio in John Street on land adjoining Peter Glass. He has painted many landscapes in the district including intimate studies of the bush floor and the aftermath of bush fires. Painting: oil on canvas. Depicting the desolate aftermath of a bushfire in Eltham. Trees are bare and burnt, foreground is sparse, whilst background is fiery red.david armfield, eltham, bushfire

David Armfield: David Armfield studied at the National Gallery School in the 1940s and turned to full time painting in 1965. RMIT printamking. He won several art awards, including the Ramsay Prize - NGV School, the Redcliffe and in 1980 the Eltham Prize. Armfield is represented in the National Gallery collection, Art Gallery of NSW, Tasmanian Art Gallery, several regional art galleries across Australia as well as private collections. David Armfield first came to Eltham in the late 1930s on painting trips and used to camp on the banks of Diamond Creed. He returned to Eltham in 1957 with his wife Joan who has subsequently become one of the district's potters, and built a mud brick house and studio in John Street on land adjoining Peter Glass. He has painted many landscapes in the district including intimate studies of the bush floor and the aftermath of bush fires.Ceramic stoneware. Reduction fired, dolomite glaze, wax resist decoration over iron. Decorated/painted by David Armfield. Cast by Joan Armfield.

Bogong Village, which was known as “The Junction”, is well recorded. The first tent camp was at the junction of Pretty Valley and Rocky Valley streams in the early 40’s. Further downstream were the sawmill, stables and blacksmith’s forge. Horses were the main mode of transport in the early days. The road to Bogong had reached the lookout spur just beyond Roper’s Spur track just before the 1939 fires. The early forties saw rapid growth of the village, with single and married men’s quarters, workshops, mess huts and administrative offices. The facilities necessary for communal living were quickly in place- a post office, police station, co-op store, medical centre, community hall/theatre, tennis courts and school. Much of the temporary accommodation that housed groups such as the Albion Quarrying Company were in the area now under water.Pictorial history of the early years of Bogong Village including one photo taken following the devastating fires of 1939. Photos show the terrain in which Bogong Village was built, the early construction used for the temporary buildings and the housing and the amount of infrastructure required to accommodate the needs of the residents of the area including workers, their families and other support staff. Set of 9 black and white photographs and photocopies of photographs depicting early buildings at Bogong Village . Photos show very early construction buildings as well as the village in various weather conditions, including snowing and after bush fires. (some official SECV photographs) 1. Bogong Village in heavy snow 2. Bogong Township during heavy snow (SECV Official Photo) 3. VIP Lodge at Bogong in the snow 4. Bogong Village - circa 1940’s 5. Bogong Village under street lights 6. Lewis Construction Camp (SECV Official Photo) 7. Albion Quarrying Co. Camp (SECV Official Photo) 8. Tent camp and early buildings following 1939 fires 9. Typical house – Bogong Village 1. Handwritten under photo – August 1948 2. Printed under photo: STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 25.8.48 Time: 9am No:K 4680 Kiewa Hydro-Electric Works. Bogong Township 3. Handwritten on back of photo- V.I.P. Lodge, Bogong 4 – 5. No markings 6. Printed under photo: STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 28.11.40 Time: 1.40pm No:K284 Kiewa Hydro-Electric Works. Lewis Construction Camp 7. Printed under photo: STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 11.1.41 Time: 10.40am No:K294 Kiewa Hydro-Electric Works. Albion Quarrying Co. Camp – Bogong. Handwritten on back of photo: On the floor of the present dam 8. No markings 9. Printed under photo: STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 11.1.46 Time: 1.23pm No:K2181 Kiewa Hydro-Electric Works. Bogong – Typical House bogong village; 1939 fires; kiewa hydro electric scheme;

Son of Jessie and Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton Married Marion Ferris at Christ Church Melton on 11th May 1939. They lived on the family farm at Ferris Road Melton. They had one son, Ian who has continued in farming in Melton. He served the community in the following – Shire of Melton Councillor Member for 32 years 1941 – 1970 Elected as Councillor for Melton South 1970 – 1973 Councillor for Rockbank 1943 – 1944 Shire President for three terms 1958 – 1959 ditto 1964 – 1965 ditto Council Representative: Bacchus Marsh High School and Western Suburbs Municipalities. Representative on delegation to prevent Melton post primary students being sent to Deer Park prior to the establishment of Melton High School. Melton Bush Fire Brigade 1941 Member Melton Bush Fire Brigade Registered No. 425 1942 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963 20 Years Long Service Badge Scots Presbyterian Church Melton Member of the Board of Management 1947 – 1969 information from Annual Reports Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racers. Darlingsford Drafts and Ponies. Order of Stalls Clydesdales – Dick, Dolly, Flower, Nugget, Blossom, Lofty, Prince. Roger, Rose, Violet, Don, Beauty, Baldy, Diamond. Cart and Mounts Creamy, Digger, Popsy Black and white photographs of Tom Barrielocal identities

Summary of Thomas Lindsay Barrie (1914 – 1990) A life long resident of Melton Son of Jessie and Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton Married Marion Ferris at Christ Church Melton on 11th May 1939. They lived on the family farm at Ferris Road Melton. They had one son, Ian who has continued in farming in Melton. He served the community in the following – Shire of Melton Councillor Member for 32 years 1941 – 1970 Elected as Councillor for Melton South 1970 – 1973 Councillor for Rockbank 1943 – 1944 Shire President for three terms 1958 – 1959 ditto 1964 – 1965 ditto Council Representative: Bacchus Marsh High School and Western Suburbs Municipalities. Representative on delegation to prevent Melton post primary students being sent to Deer Park prior to the establishment of Melton High School. Melton Bush Fire Brigade 1941 Member Melton Bush Fire Brigade Registered No. 425 1942 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963 20 Years Long Service Badge Scots Presbyterian Church Melton Member of the Board of Management 1947 – 1969 information from Annual Reports note more research needed at Uniting Church Archives to determine the earliest and last date. Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racers. Darlingsford Drafts and Ponies. Order of Stalls Clydesdales – Dick, Dolly, Flower, Nugget, Blossom, Lofty, Prince. Roger, Rose, Violet, Don, Beauty, Baldy, Diamond. Cart and Mounts Creamy, Digger, Popsy Compiled by Wendy Barrie 2013 Councillor Tom Barrie, Shire President and a group of children at the opening of the building.council, local identities

An empty small blue, and gold cardboard Capstan Medium Strength Cigarette packet with white lettering, which contained 10 Fine Virginia Leaf Medium Cork cigarettes. There is a white nautical capstan symbol in an oval shape at the bottom right on the front with Fine Virginia Leaf written below in gold lettering. One side of the packet has written, Virginia Cigarettes and the other has Trade mark (with an eight pointed star) Mark W.D. & H.O. Wills (Aust.) Ltd. Sydney and a 3/4 number in a circle on the right. It opens at the top with a cardboard flap. Inside is a brown cardboard flapped tray with the inscription Every Genuine 'Capstan" Navy Cut Cigarette bears the name W.D. & H.O Wills printed on the two smaller flaps. On the back of the tray is written - Prevent Bush fires! Extinguish your butt. Details are listed above.cigarette packets, cigarettes, smoking equipment

In the mid to late 1930’s survey outposts were established to plot the early stages of the Kiewa Hydro Electric System for the SECV in the Bogong High Plains. Before any roads were built, the old cattleman’s tracks were used with packhorses to deliver supplies, wages and mail and collect timesheets and correspondence from the workmen and dam builders living in canvas tents and at the outlying survey posts. The trip up the mountain was long and hard and dangerous for both horse and man Most of the men of the survey teams were not bush-men and were often ill equipped for the harsh weather and living conditions of bush camping, often arriving in their city clothes ready for work. The tent city at Bogong was destroyed by bush fires in 1939 after which an access road was built from Mt Beauty to transport building materials for more permanent dwellings for workmen. Pack horses continued to be used for transporting goods etc. to workers further up the mountain.Without the work of horsemen and their pack horses providing supplies and communications for outlying outposts, surveying and early planning for the Kiewa Valley Hydro Electric scheme could not have gone ahead and the dams and power stations which support the system could not have been constructed. The Hydro-electric scheme, and the workers who planned and built it play a major part in the early history of the Kiewa Valley and many original families still remain living, or have ties with the local area.: Set of 21 black and white photographs and copies of photographs depicting the pack horses and the men who handled them, transporting supplies and correspondence to the outlying camps and survey posts in the Bogong High Plains, via the rough cattlemen’s tracks. Photographs also show the early tent camps of the workers. Some photos mounted on A4 white paper. Some photos enlarged to A3 poster size for display1. Handwritten on back – Max Lawrence 2. -8 No inscriptions 9. Handwritten on back- Packing in supplies for early workers of the Kiewa Hydro scheme. There were no roads in the early days of the scheme 10. Printed on bottom of photo- Roper’s cattle on road below Howman’s Gap 11. Handwritten on back – Roper’s et al about to leave for the high plains 12. Printed under photo- Syd Ryder at the Pretty Valley Cut-Out (JBR) 13-16. No markings 17. Printed under photo- Gwen Talbot visits the Camp area. 1937 18. Handwritten on back- 14/1 Barbara Talbot 19. No markings 20-21. No markings 22. Printed under photo- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA. Date: 15-3-45 Time: 8.0pm No: K 1838 Kiewa Hydro-Electric Works, Investigations 1944-1945 – Survey Camp at Young’s Hut pack horses; bogong high plains; survey posts; supplies delivery

Ferris Road–Ferris Lane family farm of John and Elizabeth Ferris until 1939, until daughter Marion married Thomas Linsday Barrie. Marion Elizabeth nee Ferris born 29th of August 1914 -died 5th of June 1990 SUMMARY - Thomas Lindsay Barrie 1914 – 1990 A life long resident of Melton Son of Jessie and Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton Married Marion Ferris at Christ Church Melton on 11th May 1939. They lived on the family farm at Ferris Road Melton. They had one son, Ian who has continued in farming in Melton. He served the community in the following – Shire of Melton Councillor Member for 32 years 1941 – 1970 Elected as Councillor for Melton South 1970 – 1973 Councillor for Rockbank 1943 – 1944 Shire President for three terms 1958 – 1959 ditto 1964 – 1965 ditto Council Representative: Bacchus Marsh High School and Western Suburbs Municipalities. Representative on delegation to prevent Melton post primary students being sent to Deer Park prior to the establishment of Melton High School. Melton Bush Fire Brigade 1941 Member Melton Bush Fire Brigade Registered No. 425 1942 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963 20 Years Long Service Badge Scots Presbyterian Church Melton Member of the Board of Management 1947 – 1969 information from Annual Reports note more research needed at Uniting Church Archives Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racers. Darlingsford Drafts and Ponies. Order of Stalls Clydesdales – Dick, Dolly, Flower, Nugget, Blossom, Lofty, Prince. Roger, Rose, Violet, Don, Beauty, Baldy, Diamond. Cart and Mounts Creamy, Digger, Popsy Couple at Francis McGregor Barrie and Linda Willaton's wedding at Sunshine Methodist Church 20th April 1935?local identities

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie, 1909 – 1985 Melton Fire Brigade (and predecessor Bush Fire Brigade) Apparatus Officer, 1945 - 1953 Captain, 1951 - 1965 Mt Cotterill Fire Brigades’ Group Elected Group Officer, on the formation of the Group, 1967. As Group Communications Officer he operated the VL3 LY base radio station from home on a 24 hour basis for fire brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale, Truganina and Werribee. With his brother Edgar, he built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton township. Recipient of the Queens Medal, 1979 Recognised for 44 years of service on the Melton Fire Brigade Memorial Wall Plaque, dedicated May 2013 Mt Cotterell Fire Brigades G H Q and aerial was erected at No 17 - 19 First Avenue in 1974 at the home of Edna and Bon Barrie. Previously the Mt Cotterell Group VL3LY communication headquarters occupied their h ome in Ferris road at its inception in 1967. The First Avenue headquarters and map room, with radio equipment was also housed at the residence. It was operated with an additional cable connection to Fireman Wayne Sullivan (Deputy C/O) who resided at the rear in Kurrajong Cr.Section of the Melton Fire Brigade Memorial wall with brigade members who have passed away while as members. emergency services, local identities

This flip top pocket steel ash tray was at the beginning of the social "cleaning up" of cigarette ash and related products. This cigarette waste container was for those occasions when it was polite not to throw the cigarette ash and used up cigarettes "buts" on the ground, or if working in any rural area during a dry fire prone season, when discarding burning cigarette waste could set up a severe "bush" fire. It was also at the beginning of an intensive look at the affects of smoking upon the health of users. Later in the 1900s was a time when medical evidence supported a ground swell of the anti smoking movement which resulted in further restrictions of the use cigarette smoking in public places. Before the anti cigarette smoking revolution, it was both fashionable and manly to either roll your own cigarette or open up a packet of "tailor made's". In the rural and man's man environment the roll your own provided a visual acknowledgement that the user was "true blue" Aussie male and not a city boy. The cycle of use of cigarettes has drastically changed from when this item was first used. Today's society (post 2000) has produced a ground swell of government and non government organisations whose aim is provide a cigarette "ash" free environment and society. This is highlighted in the beginning of the 2000 millennium by a cigarette "Free" Australia campaign, and the pocket flip top personal ash tray as a practical solution for butt litter disposal.This pocket ash tray not only was used when social graces required it to, but also provided a container for any unfinished cigarettes or stogies (cheap half used cigars). In rural areas (open fresh air countryside), where time was always made available for the "smoko" (Australian rest period), at any time, especially after some hard physical work, the ability to have a self contained ashing apparatus, not to offend the gentler folk, was a pre-requisite . The rural environment, in the days of these cigarette ash containers,was one which could range from harsh and unforgiving to mild and relaxing. Smoking could be enjoyed anywhere and at any time without too much "fussing" around. This ash tray was mobile, convenient, unobtrusive and regarded by the user as being considerate to those around. It also eliminated the tell tale evidence that the "no smoking" signs had been ignored. The Kiewa Valley was like many rural ares that found it hard for smokers to come to grips with a governmental "non smoking policy" to indoor recreational and other "confined space" environments. Tin plated mild steel round container with a lid. The opening lid is spring loaded, hinged top, circular and fixed by a clasp, pop- riveted (4) onto the main housing. Opposite the hinge the lid is held closed by a small metal ball fitting tightly to the top wall of the container. The lid is opened by the use of a fingernail positioned at junction of lid to body. This edge is bevelled to allow access. personal effects, tobacco waste products, smoking accessories

This flip top pocket aluminium ash tray was at the beginning of the social "cleaning up" of cigarette ash and related products. This cigarette waste container was for those occasions when it was polite not to throw the cigarette ash and used up cigarettes "buts" on the ground, or if working in any rural area during a dry fire prone season, when discarding burning cigarette waste could set up a severe "bush" fire. It was also at the beginning of an intensive look at the affects of smoking upon the health of users. Later in the 1900s was a time when medical evidence supported a ground swell of the anti smoking movement which resulted in further restrictions of the use cigarette smoking in public places. Before the anti cigarette smoking revolution, it was both fashionable and manly to either roll your own cigarette or open up a packet of "tailor made's". In the rural and man's man environment the roll your own provided a visual acknowledgement that the user was "true blue" Aussie male and not a city boy. The cycle of use of cigarettes has drastically changed from when this item was first used. Today's society (post 2000) has produced a ground swell of government and non government organisations whose aim is provide a cigarette "ash" free environment and society. This is highlighted in the beginning of the 2000 millennium by a cigarette "Free" Australia campaign, and the pocket flip top personal ash tray as a practical solution for butt litter disposal.This light weight aluminium pocket ash tray not only was used when social graces required it to, but also provided a container for any unfinished cigarettes or stogies (cheap half used cigars). In rural areas (open fresh air countryside), where time was always made available for the "smoko" (Australian rest period), at any time, especially after some hard physical work, the ability to have a self contained ashing apparatus, not to offend the gentler folk, was a pre-requisite . The rural environment, in the days of these cigarette ash containers,was one which could range from harsh and unforgiving to mild and relaxing. Smoking could be enjoyed anywhere and at any time without too much "fussing" around. This ash tray was mobile, convenient, unobtrusive and regarded by the user as being considerate to those around. It also eliminated the tell tale evidence that the "no smoking" signs had been ignored. The Kiewa Valley was like many rural ares that found it hard for smokers to come to grips with a governmental "non smoking policy" to indoor recreational and other "confined space" environments. The covered lid reduces odors and eliminates ashes from being blown around.Aluminium round container with a lid. The opening lid is spring loaded, hinged top, circular and fixed by a clasp, pop- riveted (4) onto the main housing. Opposite the hinge the lid is held closed by a small metal ball fitting tightly to the top wall of the container. The lid is opened by the use of a fingernail positioned at junction of lid to body. This edge is bevelled to allow access.personal effects, tobacco waste products, smoking accessories, tobacco

"From the beginnings of European settlement on the dry plains of Melton, the community became all too familiar with the destructive power of bushfires. Fires spread rapidly through the parched landscape and were difficult to stop. Small villages in the district were practically wiped out by different fires at various times, important buildings and valuable haystacks were lost, and most chaff mills were burned down more than once.110 A local bushfire brigade was established in 1935, with Constable Roy Corbett elected Captain. This formed the basis of what would later become the Melton Country Fire Authority (CFA) branch". During 1935 a Fire Brigade was organised by 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 Captains who followed Roy Corbett List of known Captains 1935 – 1975 Jack Wallace Roy Corbett Bon Barrie Edgar Barrie Steve Hirt 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 Melton Fire Brigade yearly calendar emergency services

Melton Fire Brigade history In a letter to George Minns of 24th March 1942 from the Forests Commission the brigade was registered Class ‘F’ with the certificate of Registration N. 425. In December 1935 a public meeting was held with the purpose of forming a bush fire brigade. Constable Roy Corbett was elected Captain a position he held until 1941 and 1945 –1949. 1942 EW Barrie. 1st Lieut 2nd Lieut TL Barrie 1943 EW Barrie 2nd Lieut 1944 : : MELTON RURAL FIRE BRIGADE Established under CFA act 1944 1945- 1953 EW Barrie Apparatus Officer 1951- 1965 EW Barrie Captain 1967- 1979 EW Barrie elected Group Communication Officer of the Mt Cotterill Fire Brigades. RADIO In 1954 the Fire Brigade introduced 2 HF (high frequency) radios, one was installed in the Fire truck and the other in the Captains utility. 1956- 16th March Licence granted to the County Fire Authority Melton to establish a MOBILE transmitting and receiving station. Area of operation, Melton and District on the frequency (kc/s) 3836 for the exchange of messages relating to the fighting and prevention of fires during actual fires or periods of fire hazard with the CFA Bacchus Marsh base station VL3OX. 1958- 22nd May Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General’s Department Special Licence No H 702 under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1950 is hereby transferred to Mr. E.W. Barrie, Captain, Melton Rural Fire Brigade to establish a MOBILE transmitting and receiving station. Call sign VL3 OX 6 and VL 3OX 7Group officer Bon Barrie's invitation to a Fire Brigade formal dinner emergency services

Black and white photograph reproduced from post card. Scene of road looking towards Loughnan Hill, Andrew Kennedy's orchard. Horse and cart in centre of photo, orchard to left of picture. (3 enlarged copies, 2 postcards, a clipping and 1 9x18.5 reproduction) Postcards with correspondence from N Blood, 2 original of the postcards with messages. First reads: "Trust you are well my dear and hope your poor Mater is no worse but better. We arrived home safely..poor little Tim was very tired. Love from all to your sister and mother..self. Your sincere friend, N. Blood" Second Reads: "Miss Hill. Cowes P.O.. 4/3/09 Dear Olive, come at once; I am on my last legs! Very pleased to hear that you have been enjoying yourself as well. Your mother had been very ill and Elvie has lost a stone weight; and ??? looks down in the dumps. Topsy killed canary this morning so I took Topsy for a walk! Had a bush fire up at home on 22 and 23rd Feb. No time to scribble more. Yours to a cinder. Bert." This postcard writing is overstamped J.B.McAlpin, Estate and Financial Agent. District Government Valuer Ringwood. It has a 1d Victorian Stamp affixed. Typed below photograph, "Warrandyte Rd. from Maroondah Hwy. looking north. Mullum Creek bridge in dip - 1908".

“Sundial 2hp engine, open crank, 600rpm, serial number 6420.” These small 4 stroke engines were widely used on Australian farms through the 20th century to power chaffcutters, grinders, saws, lighting plants, pumps, shearing plants, milking machines and cream separators easing much of the drudgery of farm work. They were also used in garages and workshops and by bush fire brigades. The engine was made by H.V.McKay Massey Harris. At one time Hugh Victor McKay’s Sunshine Harvester Works was the largest factory in Australia but in 1930, to ensure survival during the Great Depression, elected to merge with the Australian arm of a Canadian firm, Massey Harris. The Sundial is fitted with twin flywheels, making it a compact and convenient power source as either wheel could double as a drive wheel. Its connecting rod, crankshaft and flywheel spokes are covered, a safety measure that was not standard at the time. These engines were advertised as simple, dependable, low in price and cheap to run. They had the additional advantage that a bolt-on kit was made by the manufacturer to convert them to run on kerosene. ‘The engine's output is two horsepower (1.5 kW) at 600 rpm. The compression ratio is 5:1 and the spark plug is activated by a high tension magneto. The fuel tank holds 3.3 litres and the cooling water hopper holds 6.6 litres. Cylinder bore is 101 mm and piston stroke is 115 mm.’ In a catalogue of HV McKay Massey Harris agricultural machinery published in March 1942, the engine is described as follows: 'The cylinder head is of the hot, turbulent type, giving the finest fuel atomisation and heat distribution. The carburettor, of special design, has an automatic air valve controlling the amount of air. The supersensitive, high speed, flyball-type governor provides an ample range of speed.'Typical of units used on local farms. RepresentativeSundial 2 h.p. engine, open crank 600 rpm Seral number 6420, red. Attached to yellow grain grinderSunshine McKay, 1939 Serial no. 6420farm machinery, stationary, machine operated, belt driven

Early member of the Bush Fire Brigade, Bon Barrie saw the need for improved speed of communication. With the formation of the Country Fire Authority by mid 1950 Melton introduced H F high frequency two way radio sets. A set was located in the Barrie home, which was an idea location to observe smoke sighting given its 360 degree view of the distant horizon. A large antenna was built to improve reception and sending strength. Author – Edna Barrie hand written notes. In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Group Headquarters was established at the Ferris road residence of Melton Captain E W Bon Barrie, who was elected Group and Communications Officer of Mt Cottrell. E W (Eddie) Gillespie and Keith Watt of the Toolern Vale brigade were appointed Deputy Group Officer and Group Secretary respectively. The Base Radio was installed at the Group Headquarters by the CFA. Brigades contributed to half the cost. A grant of $1000 was made available by the Shire of Melton in 1969 toward the cost of VHS (Very High Frequency) replacing the HF(High Frequency) Radios which has been introduced in the 1950’s. Shire of Werribee and the City of Keilor supported Werribee and Sydenham in a similar manner. The Call sign for the new group became VL3LY VHF Channel 1 163.12 m/cs. HF 3836 k/cs. Mount Cottrell Group's Wireless Licence Scheduleemergency services, local identities

This photograph was taken at Wooragee Hall on Wednesday the 28th of April 2004 called 'Queries about Quolls' and shows a Quoll Presentation by Andrew Murray at Mt Pilot, Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park. The photograph shows (L - R) Jerry Alexander, Unknown, Unknown, Mary Prowse, Tony Prowse. The event was hosted by the Wooragee Landcare Group and was led by Andrew Murray (of Parks Victoria), President of the South-East Forest Spotted-tailed Quoll Working Group and one of Victoria's leading authorities in quolls. As the name of the event would suggest, this session provided attendees with insight and general information on quolls, including the characteristics of quolls, the habitat of quolls and the techniques that can be used when searching for quolls which was part of a wider project aimed at protecting the endangered species of the tiger quoll, also known as the spotted-tailed quoll, an animal that once inhabited Mount Pilot-Chiltern National Park. This particular photo shows a group of attendees looking at a typical quoll nesting site in a rock crevice. According to an article included in the Wooragee Landcare group coordinators annual report 2004 and 2005 album (record 00001), Andrew Murray had been tasked to train a team of Department of Sustainability and Environment staff and volunteers from the local area (Beechworth and Wooragee) in the detection skills needed to establish whether the tiger quoll still inhabited the Mount Pilot-Chiltern National Park and had survived after a bush fire in 2003 had burned through the area where they would normally have been found. The Tiger Quoll is the largest of the quoll species. Largely resembling a cross between a possum and a cat, the quoll is distinctive due to the white spots that are often found all over its brown fur.This photograph is significant as it provides evidence of a project undertaken by the Wooragee Landcare Group to educate themselves and members of the public on the tiger quoll in the early 2000s in an attempt to better understand and protect the species. The Wooragee Landcare Group has been instrumental in the co-ordination of programs relating to biodiversity protection in the local area, providing great assistance to landholders.Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paperReverse: WAN NA 0ANA2N0 AN2 0 1636 / [PRINTED] (No.4) / 918wooragee, wooragee hall, wooragee landcare, wooragee landcare group, quoll, spotted-tailed quoll, tiger quoll, queries about quolls, south east forest spotted-tailed quoll working group, andrew murray quolls, mount pilot chiltern national park, quoll species, endangered quoll, andrew murray, beechworth, landcare group, mount pilot

Wendy Barrie's memories of Apollo Bay The camping trips were a yearly event after the harvest had finished. The trip down to the beach was a much-anticipated event heading out through Parwan and to Geelong leaving behind the hot and dusty plains and our parents relieved to have the hard work of harvesting left behind. The Otways in the distance were reached with great anticipation, Mum in the car and Dad in the Truck ahead of us anxiously winding through the narrow roads and negotiating the hairpin bends and breathing in the cool fresh air of the forest, and keeping an eye out of the log trucks that might come sweeping the corner. The tree ferns with their dripping moisture and the giant trees and the unmistakeable small of the eucalypts. Great excitement was when we caught our first view of the sea from the highest point of the road and then is was the cautious drive the sea level to the sight of the blue ocean with the white of the waves crashing on the rocks and the pristine sand. The water from the Wild Dog and Skenes creek trickling onto the ocean. The tree ferns with their dripping moisture and the giant trees and the unmistakeable smell of the eucalypts. The return journey was usually taken on the Great Ocean Road, it was considered safer to be on the inside of the road. In the early days it was very narrow and passing oncoming cars was taken very cautiously. Landslides and floods sometimes meant we would take the inland route. One year the bridges were washed away and bailey bridges were erected to keep the road open. Rock falls off the cliffs were common Stops on the way home gave us our last chance for our feet in the sand and a swim in the ocean. By the time we reached the hill at Angle Sea the vast blue ocean was behind us and we trekked back through Geelong- Bacchus road and the plains of stubble and the dry grass, and sometimes evidence of burnt patches from a bush fire. The closest we came to a pool at home was the concrete sheep trough at the gate to the work sheds. It was filled with bore water pumped from the nearby windmill. Edna, Bon and their family members at their camp site in Apollo Baylocal identities

Information folder containing material pertaining to the German Club, Belgrave. Contents: -article, NAZI CLUB - Victorian Camp - Opened By Hitler, Cairns Post, 25 Apr 1938 -German home in forest, The Argus, 27 Apr 1938 -photo, Australian Nazi Party room, Dandenong Ranges -sketch, Arbeits-heim in Belgrave (Tecoma) Vic, sketch signed Karl Muffler, 5-4-91 -article with photo, Nazi Club in Victoria, Burnie's Advocate, 2 May 1938 -article, A German holiday camp, The Horsham Times, 3 May 1938 -article, Nazi propaganda denied, Echuca's Riverina Herald, 3 May 1938 -letter to editor, Nazi Club, The Argus, 3 May 1938 -article, Cat Out Of The Bag, Burnie Advocate, 4 May 1938 -article, German Club at Belgrave - Students Propose Raid, Port Pirie Recorder. 4 May, 1938 -article, No Trouble at Club, The Argus, 9 May 1938 -article, Bush Fires in May! - German Club near Belgrave saved, The Age, 16 May 1938 -letter to editor, Nazi propaganda, Burnie Advocate, 6 Jun 1838 -article, Close Watch Kept On Operations, South Australi's The Advertiser, 12 Jul 1939 -article, Nazi Club at Belgrave, The Age, 7 Sep 1939 -article, German Club closed, Cairns Post, 8 Sep 1939 -article, German Club property, 12 Sep 1939 -article, Belgrave's "Nudist" Colony, Healesville & Yarra Glen Guardian, 22 Jun 1940 -article, German Club at Belgrave, The Age, 5 Mar 1942belgrave, world war 2, germans, nazi party

The Eltham Shire War Memorial, a tower of remembrance, was built with public donations to commemorate the memory of the fallen soldiers from the shire who enlisted in the 1914-1918 war. The tower is reminiscent of the peel-towers or watchtowers that lined the English-Scottish border from the mid 14th century to around 1600 and is constructed from locally quarried stone. This uncommon and picturesque war memorial, which affords an excellent view of the surrounding district was unveiled by His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Stonehaven) on November 11, 1926. In July 1922 a deputation of returned soldiers from Panton Hill, presumably the Panton Hill branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA), proposed to Eltham Shire Council that the monument should be a cairn of local stone “sufficiently high to form a prominent and conspicuous landmark, and crowned with some suitable device”. Eltham Shire Councillor and President of the Panton Hill branch of the RSSILA, Basil Hall, was credited with being the first to suggest a tower, and with organising a Memorial Park committee to raise funds for the monument in the Memorial Park. A meeting for those interested in the establishing a War Memorial monument in the park was held in January 1924 and the Eltham Shire War Memorial League was formed for this purpose. It appears that the broad and rounded cairn that had been recently built was considered by the League a temporary affair, and not the substantial cairn-as-monument, sufficiently high to form the conspicuous landmark, which had been envisaged by the Panton Hill RSSILA. A design competition was held for the monument. The chairman of the League, Councillor Basil Hall, suggested that the site of the memorial in Kangaroo Ground would lend itself to something rugged, instead of polished stone. By April 1924 thirty designs for a memorial had been received from which three designs were selected and of those, the design by the shire engineer Mr McCormack, for a 70ft tower suitable for construction in rough stone, was chosen. Artist Harold Herbert suggested that a peel tower-like design reminiscent of those along the English-Scottish border would be fitting for the site. Herbert drew up a rough sketch that was approved of, and later, Melbourne architect Percy Meldrum volunteered to draw up the design from sketch to architectural drawings. By January 1925 the Soldiers’ Memorial League had adopted Meldrum’s design for a 50ft high tower. Meldrum had also offered his design and supervision of construction free of charge. The Shire provided the stone to the builders, which was a gift quarried from land owned at Kangaroo Ground by Dr Ethel and Professor William Osborne The Shire of Eltham War Memorial, a tower of remembrance, and honour board were unveiled on November 11, 1926, by the Governor General Lord Stonehaven. At this stage a temporary honour roll was painted on the panels on either side of the tower entrance. In September 1930 bronze plates were added above the portal with the names of men who fell in the 1914-18 war. On November 16, 1951, the Governor of Victoria, Sir Dallas Brooks re-dedicated the war memorial tower and unveiled the names of men who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war. Two additional bronze plaques which recognise service in the armed conflicts of Korea, Borneo, Malaya, and Vietnam were unveiled November 11, 2001, by the Governor of Victoria, John Landy, A.C., M.B.E. The tower was first used for fire spotting activities following the Black Friday bushfire in January 1939 in response to a request from Mr R.D. Ness, secretary of the Kangaroo Ground bush fire brigade, who asked Council that the tower be used as an observation tower for detecting bush fires, and asked Council to arrange a telephone to be installed. It was suggested that if the Shire were to appoint a caretaker for the Memorial Park, his duties could also include raising the alarm in the event of a fire. Later in 1939 Council applied for a radio transmitter, which the Forestry Commission planned to install at vantage places throughout the state. The first dedicated fire spotter appointed from December1948, was Mr Smith of Warrandyte. A prefabricated glazed cabin was installed in 1974, which involved the removal of the original stone structure around the rooftop exit door. A new fire spotting cabin, which included the latest technology, was installed soon after the 2009 Black Saturday fires and is manned by CFA personnel on high fire danger days. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p123This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. While published in the book in black and white, this collection features the original colour digital photographs. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial

The habitat of the Bassian Thrush includes leaf littered and canopied gullies and dense forests. It forages for food on the ground eating small invertebrates and nests in tree stumps and tree forks. Primarily found in Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland, there are three sub-species of thrush, Zoothera lunulata cuneate (Queensland), Zoothera lunulata halmaturina (South Australian and Western Bassian Thrushes) and Zoothera lunulata lunulata/Zoothera lunulata macrorhyncha (South East Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania). Because this bird is a ground foraging species, the main threat to the Bassian Thrush is the ground clearing of its habitat, and unfortunately, the South Australian Zoothera lunulata halmaturina sub-species is considered vulnerable because of the bush fires that have eliminated much of its habitat, especially on Kangaroo Island. While the overall structure of this particular representation of a Bassian Thrush is relatively accurate, some of the smaller details are lacking. The eyes within this particular specimen are not accurate. Instead of solid black eyes, this specimen has golden/yellow eyes with black pupils. Another inaccuracy is some inappropriate intrusions coming from the beak (most noticeable in the left and right close up images). From the photographs, it is unclear if this is a representative/presentation choice or a condition problem caused overtime. Unfortunately, several aging problems have also occurred over time, with the bird’s feathers fading (Bassian Thrushes have distinct dark brown and black and white scalloped plumage) and the beak which was probably once dark grey has faded to the under colour, a yellowy cream. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.The Bassian Thrush has white and black scalloped plumage on its underbelly with caramel, soft brown and black tipped scalloped plumage on its back. This soft brown continues onto the bird’s head and neck. The thrush has a white rim around the glass black eyes. When seen in flight, there is also a noticeable wide band across the underside of the wings which is not visible on this specimen due to its particular stance.Swing tag appears to read: ‘46a [the a is superscripted] / Mountain Thrush. / See Catalogue, Page 16. / The number in the top centre of the wooden perch reads '63'taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, bassian thrush, zoothera lunulata, white's thrush, ground thrush, scaly thrush

Kindly scanned from Ringwood Branch archival collectionTranscript (kindly completed by Ken Briscoe using ChatGPT) During the second World War, a group of Ringwood ladies sent tins of fat to England. When the War ended in 1946, the Mayoress, Mrs. H.E. Parker, called a meeting and a branch of the Country Women's Association was formed. The subscription was four shillings and two shillings for associate members. Meetings were held in the lower Town Hall, the President and Secretary sat on the stage, the Treasurer at a table on the floor and the hostess at the door to welcome members. Birthdays were held in the Town Hall. There was an active drama group who performed at competitions. After the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956, members re-enacted some of the events. A yearly ball was held for several years. Members catered for the Scout Jamboree. They looked after victims of the bush fires - the Town Hall was covered in beds. Mrs. Pratt, Senior, whose husband took up a selection in Ringwood, gave a block of land to the C.W.A., but the late Councillor Mr. Frank Corr, told his wife (a member) that the Council would not permit a hall to be built on this land so the block was sold to the Masonic Lodge for 250 pounds. Cards were enjoyed monthly in the Presbyterian Church Hall in Adelaide Street. Craft group met in the Church of England Hall in Ringwood Street.

This belt belonged to a WW1 Australian Anzac who most probably, because of the buttons and badges, served on the Western Front. Records destroyed in 1969 bush fires at Lara means we are unable to determine who owned this in the RSL. The belts is called a 'stable belt' and the one you have acquired is an early example with a leather pocket. It became common in WW1 for both, leather belts (especially that from the 1903 bandolier equipment as worn by those in the Boer War), and stable belts to be used to hold badges collected from fellow soldiers and for that reason it was often known as a 'souvenir belt'. The evolution of the stable belt: It seems that stable belts began to become popular across the Army as a whole around the turn of the 20th century, although they probably originated with the cavalry a little earlier sometime in the 1880s/1890s. All units at that time had horses on their establishment and those soldiers told off to attend them reported for Stable Parade in Stable Dress which consisted of very high waisted and pocket less breeches, or trousers, held up by braces and collarless, woollen flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up. This was to facilitate the rigorous physical effort and flexibility of movement necessary for mucking out and grooming. Braces at that time had no elastic as rubber was expensive, they were made of cotton with no 'give' whatsoever and so soldiers commonly allowed the braces to flop down from the waist so that they could bend over freely. For trousers that fitted loosely (due to the high waist) this meant that they tended to slip down and at first soldiers cinched them in with leather belts. Later on the regimental saddlers began to make belts from the same, plain canvas or wool strapping used for the horses Surcingle and utilising the same double leather strap and buckle arrangement for security (if one strap broke the other would hold and prevent the saddle from coming unseated). One particular feature of these early stable belts was a sewn on (or in) pocket, secured by a stud or clip, within which loose change could be kept, or a pocket watch, as there were no pockets in the breeches. As you might imagine these became very popular as the pocket was useful and the extra breadth afforded by the canvas strapping made them very comfortable. Around about the turn of the 20th century it began to be popular for officers to wear neckties in regimental colours both for sport and less formal, country dress. This habit probably began with the Queens Household troops and Line Cavalry, but quickly spread throughout the Army and it appears as if this use of regimental colours spread to the canvas or wool strapping used to make stable belts. For this reason the stable belts invariably followed the same colour scheme (but not always the same pattern arrangement) of regimental neck ties. This belt is an example of what Australian troops collected when on the Western Front during WW1 and when on leave.Leather Belt with 31 Badges and Buttons from WW1 attachedSee Mediaww1, world war 1, australian army, badges, button, belt, stable belt

This belt belonged to a WW1 Australian Anzac who most probably, because of the buttons and badges, served on the Western Front. Records destroyed in 1969 bush fires at Lara means we are unable to determine who owned this in the RSL. The belts is called a 'stable belt' and the one you have acquired is an early example with a leather pocket. It became common in WW1 for both, leather belts (especially that from the 1903 bandolier equipment as worn by those in the Boer War), and stable belts to be used to hold badges collected from fellow soldiers and for that reason it was often known as a 'souvenir belt'. The evolution of the stable belt: It seems that stable belts began to become popular across the Army as a whole around the turn of the 20th century, although they probably originated with the cavalry a little earlier sometime in the 1880s/1890s. All units at that time had horses on their establishment and those soldiers told off to attend them reported for Stable Parade in Stable Dress which consisted of very high waisted and pocket less breeches, or trousers, held up by braces and collarless, woollen flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up. This was to facilitate the rigorous physical effort and flexibility of movement necessary for mucking out and grooming. Braces at that time had no elastic as rubber was expensive, they were made of cotton with no 'give' whatsoever and so soldiers commonly allowed the braces to flop down from the waist so that they could bend over freely. For trousers that fitted loosely (due to the high waist) this meant that they tended to slip down and at first soldiers cinched them in with leather belts. Later on the regimental saddlers began to make belts from the same, plain canvas or wool strapping used for the horses Surcingle and utilising the same double leather strap and buckle arrangement for security (if one strap broke the other would hold and prevent the saddle from coming unseated). One particular feature of these early stable belts was a sewn on (or in) pocket, secured by a stud or clip, within which loose change could be kept, or a pocket watch, as there were no pockets in the breeches. As you might imagine these became very popular as the pocket was useful and the extra breadth afforded by the canvas strapping made them very comfortable. Around about the turn of the 20th century it began to be popular for officers to wear neckties in regimental colours both for sport and less formal, country dress. This habit probably began with the Queens Household troops and Line Cavalry, but quickly spread throughout the Army and it appears as if this use of regimental colours spread to the canvas or wool strapping used to make stable belts. For this reason the stable belts invariably followed the same colour scheme (but not always the same pattern arrangement) of regimental neck ties.This belt is an example of what Australian troops collected when on the Western Front during WW1 and when on leave.Webbing Belt with Badges and Buttons WW1See Mediaarmy, australian army, western front, aif, s.w.ellis, service number 640, 2 m.g.c., buttons, badges, belt, stable belt

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

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

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