A billycan, is a lightweight cooking pot which is used on a campfire or a camping stove, particularly associated with Australian usage, but is also used in the UK and Ireland. It is widely accepted that the term "billycan" is derived from the large cans used for transporting bouilli or bully beef on Australia-bound ships or during exploration of the outback, which after use were modified for boiling water over a fire. However there is a suggestion that the word may be associated with the Aboriginal billa (meaning water; cf. Billabong In Australia. The billy has come to symbolise the spirit of exploration of the outback. To boil the billy most often means to make tea. "Billy Tea" is the name of a popular brand of tea long sold in Australian grocers and supermarkets. Billies feature in many of Henry Lawson's stories and poems. Banjo Paterson's most famous of many references to the billy is surely in the first verse and chorus of Waltzing Matilda: "And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling", which was later changed by the Billy Tea Company to "And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled”. Early settlers , market gardeners and blacksmiths would use this portable iron stake to hold their Billies at meal times when out working their fields, travelling for work or pleasure.c1880 A molded, iron tripod stake that would hold a 'Billy can' of water over a camp or kitchen fireearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools, blacksmiths

Death notice and tributes - Ringwood Mail, January 30, 1941.The residents of Ringwood and district were shocked when the news came through of the tragic and sudden death of Fireman Jack Wilkins of Warrandyte Road Ringwood, while working on a fire at the Cooper Case Company's mill in White Horse road, Ringwood, during the early hours of Sunday morning. He was found by his comrades in a state of collapse after winding up the hose, and died almost immediately ... Fireman Wilkins joined up with the Ringwood Fire Brigade at its inception in March, 1926, as part time fireman, and has been with the brigade ever since ... A carpenter and builder by trade, he has built many homes in the Ringwood district. One of his hobbies was his garden. He was an expert grower of dahlias, and exhibited successfully in many shows. He was a member of the M.U.I.O.O.F., and was keenly interested in sport. He played cricket right up to last year with the Ringwood Cricket Club, and captained the C Grade team for years ... He was also keenly interested in football, and for a number of years officiated as goal umpire in the Ringwood District Football League. He is survived by a wife and six children. Tributes include Jay (Jack), dearly loved husband of Alice Marion, loving father of Walter (A.I.F.), Allan, Winnie, Ronald (deceased), Margaret, William and Edward ... Youngest son of John B. and the late Mrs. M. Wilkins ... Loved brother of Olive and Bess (Mrs. B. Anderson, Mildura) ... Loved brother of Henry, Arthur and Lil Wilkins ... Loved brother of Field and Florrie Wilkins ... Loved brother of Violet and Bob ... Loved brother of Myrtle and Jack.