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Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
FCV Control burning meter, 1970
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 Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Wooden Model Fire Tower, Tom Coish, Model of Reef Hills fire tower, (5 km south of Benalla), 1957
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 -
Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub-Branch
Certificate - VVAA (Vic), 18/12/2009
A record of gratitude for the Sub Branch's assistance to Vietnam veterans after the disastrous bushfires in 2009.Significant to have visible some simple evidence that the Vietnam veteran Sub Branches look after their own if they are experiencing difficulties,Famed Certificate, rectangular in shape in portrait profile, metal frame."Awarded by the Victorian Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia to the Diamond Valley Sub Branch in recognition of your support of the Victorian Vietnam Veteran Community Through your Contribution to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal". Signed by the State President, Bob Elworthy, 18 December 2009. With the organisation's motto at the foot of the Certificate: "HONOUR THE DEAD BUT FIGHT LIKE HELL FOR THE LIVING"diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, vvaa (vic) -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - digital photographs, Lisa Gervasoni, Marysville Pre Olympic Swimming Pool, c2010-2017
The Marysville Swimming Pool was one of the few structure to survive the 'Black Saturday' bushfire.Colour photograph of the Marysville Pre-Olympic Swimming Pool. swimming pool, sport, swimming, pre olympic, concrete, marysville, black saturday, bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Rakehoe, McLeod Tool
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. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.First used in 1955Rakehoebushfire -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George W. Bell, Eltham Laughing Waters Area, 1965
Black and white photograph of bushfire aftermath Laughing Waters Road Eltham 1965laughing waters road, eltham, fires, bush fires, george w bell collection -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George W. Bell, Fire Aftermath, Laughing Waters Area, 1965
Black and white photograph of bushfire aftermath Laughing Waters Road Eltham 1965.laughing waters road, eltham, fires, bush fires, george w bell collection -
Clunes Museum
Document - NEWSPAPER - CUTTING, The Sun newspaper, 1944 BUSHFIRES, 10/01/1944
1944 BUSHFIRES.1 ARTICLE THE SUN, 9/01/1944. BUSHFIRES BURNT 15 HOMES, HOSPITAL AT CLUNES .2 ARTICLE THE SUN, 10/01/1944. BUSHFIRES AT CLUNES .3 NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, PHOTOGRAPH OF CLUNES FIRE AFTERMATHbushfires, 1944 -
Victorian Interpretive Projects Inc.
Photograph - Digital, Clare Kathleen Gervasoni, St Mary's Kinglake, 2012, 15/12/2012
The images depict the newly completed fourth Catholic Church at Kinglake. The previous three churches having been destroyed by 'Black Saturday' bushfire. The painting is oil on canvas. The historical continuity is expressed by the continuity of the skyline and the disconnectedness of the colours. it is not a literal depiction of each church, but a recognizable and symbolic image conveying resilience of faith of the local community. The first church was burnt down in a bushfire, the second burnt down by vandals, and the three burnt down in the 2009 bushfires known as 'Black Saturday'.The white cross and black fence at the lower left commemorated the remarkable fact that these remained intact after the 2009 bushfires. The red-orange can be the colour of the kinglake soil or the fires. The return of new life is indicated by the green growth on the burnt gumtrees. The presence of the Holy Trinity is shown above the entrance to the church. The return of new life is indicated by the green growth on the burnt gumtrees. The presence of the Holy Trinity is shown above the entrance to the church. The Holy Sprit is symbolized by the sulphur crested cockatoo, an Australian bird instead of the white dove. The symbol for the father is above the church in the triangle which has God's Holy Name (I AM) as given to Moses from the Burning Bush, written in Hebrew. Christ is represented by the cross above the entrance. The previous church was destroyed in the 2009 bushfires. The area is surrounded by 22,000 hectares of Kinglake National Park, the largest National Park close to Melbourne. The park was established in 1928 to protect native flora and fauna. Kinglake takes its name from Alexander Kinglake who travelled through the area in 1870. Photographs showing the newly built St Mary's Catholic Church at Kinglake. .1) Interior of Church .2) Painting of the Four Churches of Kinglake by Judy Racz .3-5) Views from the Church windows to the adjoining landscape .6) St Mary's Church groundskinglake, bushfire, black saturday, church, catholic, racz, st mary's catholic church kinglake -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George W. Bell, Laughing Waters Road Area, Mar 1965, 1965
Black and white photograph of bushfire aftermath, Laughing Waters Road area, Eltham 1965.laughing waters road, eltham, fires, bush fires, george w bell collection -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George W. Bell, Fire Aftermath, Laughing Waters Area, 1965
Black and white photograph of bushfire aftermath, Laughing Waters Road area, Eltham 1965.laughing waters road, eltham, fires, bush fires, george w bell collection -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George W. Bell, Laughing Waters Area, Eltham, 1965
Black and white photograph of bushfire aftermath Laughing Waters Road area Eltham 1965laughing waters road, eltham, fires, bush fires, george w bell collection -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book, Marysville-Moss, Snow and Mountain Ash, Unknown
A pictorial book of the flora, fauna and waterfalls in the Marysville district affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfirePaperback. Front cover has a main photograph of Keppel's Hut on a misty day in the rainforest. There are also four small photographs along the lower edge of the front cover. They are of a Mountain Ash canopy, a Drosera Peltata, a Brown Tree Frog and a view of the smoke plume on Black Saturday.marysville, victoria, australia, landmarks, flora, fauna, waterfalls, black saturday, bushfire, nature -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book, Marysville-Moss, Snow and Mountain Ash, Unknown
A pictorial book of the flora, fauna and waterfalls in the Marysville district affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfirePaperback. Front cover has a main photograph of Keppel's Hut on a misty day in the rainforest. There are also four small photographs along the lower edge of the front cover. They are of a Mountain Ash canopy, a Drosera Peltata, a Brown Tree Frog and a view of the smoke plume on Black Saturday.marysville, victoria, australia, landmarks, flora, fauna, waterfalls, black saturday, bushfire, nature -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book, Marysville-Moss, Snow and Mountain Ash, Unknown
A pictorial book of the flora, fauna and waterfalls in the Marysville district affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfirePaperback. Front cover has a main photograph of Keppel's Hut on a misty day in the rainforest. There are also four small photographs along the lower edge of the front cover. They are of a Mountain Ash canopy, a Drosera Peltata, a Brown Tree Frog and a view of the smoke plume on Black Saturday.marysville, victoria, australia, landmarks, flora, fauna, waterfalls, black saturday, bushfire, nature -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni, Marysville Mural, 2014, 01/11/2014
Colour photograph of the Marysville Mural by Russell Danby.Marysville Mural This mural is dedicated to the people of Marysville past, present and future. May it invoke ling held enjoyable memories for residents and visitors, through it's (sic) showcasing of someof Marysville's buildingsand iconic scenery prior to 'Black Saturday' bushfires 2009 Interpreted and painter by muralmaker - Russell Danby Giften by an anonymour benefactorbushfire, black saturday, marysville, marysville mural, russell danby -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Sling Psychrometer
Bushfire behaviour is influenced by many factors including temperature, relative humidity (RH), forest type, fuel quantity and fuel dryness, topography and even slope. Wind has a dominant effect on the Rate of Spread (ROS), as well as fire size, shape and direction. Temperature and relative humidity have major impacts on fuel dryness and therefore upon the availability of fuel for combustion. The amount of fine fuel available can increase rapidly from nearly zero when fuel moisture content is more than 16% after rain or a heavy morning dew, to many tonnes per hectare as fuel dries out later in the day and the moisture content drops below 9%. This explosive escalation in the amount of available fuel can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. A sling psychrometer is a simple device for determining air temperature and relative humidity. It contains two thermometers, one of which is covered with a wick saturated with ambient temperature liquid water. These two thermometers are called dry bulb and wet bulb. When the sling psychrometer is spun rapidly in the air, the evaporation of the water from the wick causes the wet bulb thermometer to read lower than the dry bulb thermometer. After the psychrometer has been spun long enough for the thermometers to reach equilibrium temperatures, the unit is stopped, and the two thermometers are quickly read. A psychrometric scale on the side of the instrument is then used to convert the dry bulb temperature TDB and the wet bulb temperature TWB into humidity information. The wet bulb temperature is approximately equal to the adiabatic saturation temperature. The thermometers fold back into the plastic handle when not in use. Used to measure temperature and relative humiditySling PsychrometerBACHARACH INSTRUMENTS - Pittsburg PAbushfire -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book, Halls Gap & Grampians Historical, Victoria’s Wonderland - A Grampians History, 2006
Covers the History of the Grampians. The Retention of the history of the Halls Gap and the Grampians as a response to the deterioration of historic Sites.Paper Back. Cover dusky pink & Sepia photograph of painting of romantic glen.The book is dedicated to those who protected people and property from bushfires.stawell, grampians -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
THIS BUILDING WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE ON THE 8 JANUARY 1944.SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH OF OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL. BUILT IN 1873, DESTROYED IN BUSHFIRE 8TH JANUARY 1944.CLUNES HOSPITALlocal history, photography, photographs, hospital [old] -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, Bushland Reserves Fire Management Strategy, 2010
City of Whitehorse Strategy to assess the risk of bushfire and consider any necessary responses, Oct 2010.City of Whitehorse Strategy to assess the risk of bushfire and consider any necessary responses, Oct 2010.City of Whitehorse Strategy to assess the risk of bushfire and consider any necessary responses, Oct 2010.bushfires, bushland -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - 3Three coloured photographs, WHS General Meeting 2/2/2019
WHS General Meeting 2/2/2019. Speakers Roselie Whalen and Bob Gardiner on bushfires.whs meeting 2/2/2019, roselie whalen, bob gardiner -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Remnants of Burnt Buildings after 1939 Bushfires, Warranwood - Aftermath of 1939 bushfires showing remains of burnt out building, 1939
Two photographs of the aftermath of the 1939 bushfires in Warranwood. They show the remains of a burnt-out building. +Additional Keywords: Purser1939 Mrs Purser 23/10/84 Please Return -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Colour photograph, 02-2009
A colour photograph of The Log Cabin in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph of The Log Cabin in Marysville in Victoria. The Log Cabin was built by Thomas Henry Branchflower who had arrived from England late in 1921. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. The Log Cabin, along with most of the buildings in Marysville, was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.Log Cabin/ Marysville/ Feb 2009the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, photograph, 2009, 2009 black saturday bushfires -
Mt Dandenong & District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, 'Callum House' - Bill Farndon's Guest House 1911, 1911
Front view of Callum House located on the corner of Falls and Farndons Roads. Built by Bill Farndon. In the background are trees killed by bushfires in 1897. There is a horse and buggy in the foreground. Figures standing have been identified as (from LHS) Jim Clarke, Len Farndon, Jack Clarke, Essie Farndon, Rhoda farndon, Doug Farndon, Mrs Farndon. Driver is Bill Campbell. This photograph has a detailed inscription on the back handwritten by John Lundy-Clarke in 1974.1911 “Callum House” Farndon’s guest house corner of Fall’s and Farndon’s Roads. Later “Bonvenu” and again “The Oaks”. Showing the trees killed by bushfires in 1897. Figures standing are from left – Jim Clarke, Len Farndon, Jack Clarke, Essie Farndon, Rhoda Farndon, Doug Farndon, Mrs. Farndon. Bill Campbell driving.callum house, benvenu, the oaks, essie farndon, bill farndon, rhoda farndon, bill campbell, jim clarke, jack clarke, doug farndon -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Colour photograph, 2009
A digital copy of a colour photograph of a house on the Marysville-Buxton Road near Marysville in Victoria.A digital copy of a colour photograph of a house on the Marysville-Buxton Road near Marysville in Victoria.marysville-buxton road, marysville, buxton, victoria, photograph -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book - Hardback, Marysville-A Timeless Place, Post 2009
A pictorial journey of Marysville before the 2009 Black Saturday bushfireA book of photographs taken in and around Marysville before the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Marysville was almost completely destroyed in the fire and this book showcases natural attractions, locations to eat and stay and some of the local flora and fauna in and around the district.Hardcover. Front cover has a photograph of the Corner Cupboard Cafe in Marysville taken at night.In memory of those that lost their lives and property in the/ Black Saturday fires/ on the 7TH of G=February 2009marysville, photographs, victoria, australia, black saturday, bushfire, 2009, 7th february 2009, angelina lodge, darmody lake, galipolli park, murchison street, meeting of the waters, marysville bakery, marysville patisserie, lolly shop, bruno's sculpture garden, crystal journey, flora, fauna, coralyn falls, steavenson falls, keppel lookout -
Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society Inc.
Book - Local History, Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade, Hills Of Fire, 1992
pp viii, 76; 6 appendices & bibliography, footnotes, 1 map, photographs. A history of bushfires in the Dandenong Ranges and the Sassafras-Ferny Creek CFA Brigade.sassafras-ferny creek fire brigade, dandenong ranges, bushfires -
Clunes Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH WOOD CHOP
LAMINATED BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL. AT CRESWICK ROAD CLUNES BUILD 1873 DESTROYED IN BUSHFIRE IN 1944. STAFF AND VISITORS STANDING IN FRONT OF HOSPITAL.local history, photography, photographs, hospital [old], wood chop -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Speedy Moisture Meter, Thomas Ashworth and Co, c 1950
The most common technique to measure fuel moisture content in Victorian forests until recently was the Speedy Moisture Meter. Originally developed in England during the 1920s for measuring moisture in wheat and other grains it was adapted for Australian forest fuels in the 1950s. Fuel was first ground using a Spong mincer, often attached to the bullbar of a vehicle, and a small sample placed into the Speedy together with a measure of calcium carbide and then sealed. A chemical reaction created gas pressure which was read on the external dial. There were important techniques with cleaning, mincing and using the chemicals with the Speedy to give reliable readings, but it was quick, inexpensive, robust, portable and practical in the field. It was used routinely before igniting a fuel reduction burn or measuring fuel moisture differentials on slash burns. In about 1996, Karen Chatto and Kevin Tolhurst from the Department’s Creswick Research Station developed the Wiltronics Fuel Moisture meter which measured electrical resistance.First reliable tool for measuring bushfire fuel moisture content in the fieldSpeedy Moisture Meter in wooden boxmanufactures marks and instructions on usebushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Safety box for fusee matches and DAIDS
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