Yellow fire fighter helmet with blue logo and orange fittings and reflecting tapeBROWN/Prosperity through service/ 11530/ Brown/ Fireman's helmet/3/Model Pro Helmets/ Size Date Batch (WGT 1215/ N.F.P.A. 1972/1985 Instructions to user : shell and liner constructed of fibreglass and polyethylene lining helmet can be seriously damaged by substances such as petrol, paint, adhesives or cleaning agents. Make no modifications. Fasten helmet securely. If helmet experiences a severe blow return it to the manufacturer for inspection or destroy and replace it. WARNING: no helmet can protect the wearer from all injuries. The manufacturer accepts no liability for injuries resulting from or during the use of this helmet/ MANUFACTURED BY PACIFIC HELMETS (NZ) LTD. WANGANUI. NEW ZEALAND.

This jacket was part of the working uniform of the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade in the mid 20th century. It belonged to John (Jack) Sizeland, a member of the Fire Brigade for over 37 years. He retired in 1977. Prompted by a fire at the Flying Buck Hotel in Liebig Street the Warrnambool Fire Brigade was established in the mid 1860s. It has been successful in Victorian Fire Brigade Championships over the years, especially in the 19th century. It is currently situated in Mortlake Road. This jacket is of interest as an example of the clothing worn by firefighters in Victoria in the mid 20th century. It is also of interest because it was worn by Jack Sizeland, a local firefighter for over 37 years. This is a black double-breasted cloth jacket with six brass buttons down the front and two brass buttons on the lapels. The buttons are impressed with a shield and the words ‘Country Fire Authority Victoria’. There are two brass clips on the side to hold a belt. There are two black and red cloth attachments at the top of each sleeve (‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’). There is some black cloth lining inside the garment across the shoulders. The maker’s label, ‘David Lack Pty Ltd, Melbourne’ is on the inside collar. ‘David Lack Pty Ltd Melbourne’ ‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’ warrnambool fire brigade, jack sizeland, history of warrnambool

This blazer was worn by a Warrnambool Fire Brigade member (Jack Sizeland). It was part of the dress uniform for fire brigade members in the 1960s and 70s. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade was established in the early 1860s after a fire at the Flying Buck Hotel in Liebig Street prompted a public meeting to establish a permanent fire authority in the town. There had been a couple of attempts previously to set up a local fire brigade. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade actively participates in Country Fire Authority Championships and competitions and has been very successful, particularly in the 19th century. John (Jack) Sizeland retired when he was 65 in 1977 (37 years of service).This blazer is of interest as it shows us what fire fighters in Warrnambool were wearing in the mid 20th century (dress uniform). It is also a memento of one long-serving firefighter, Jack SizelandThis is a man’s black blazer with three large black buttons. The sleeve ends and the three pockets have a diagonal red and black patterned braid stitched on. The upper portion of the blazer and the sleeves are lined with black material. The top pocket has the badge of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade in red and yellow stitched on. The badge features a Fire Brigade helmet, a ladder and two axes set in two concentric circles. A printed label with the owner’s name (Sizeland) is stitched inside the collar areaName ‘Sizeland’ stitched inside collar areawarrnambool fire brigade, country fire authority, john sizeland, history of warrnambool

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 1973Alan McAthur's scientific legacy with the FFDI meter is unquestionably huge and has served forest firefighters very well over the decades.Cardboard fire danger meter Series of circular slide rules to calculate Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI)forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire

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)

These boots were manufactured by Oliver Stevens in Ballarat to the Forests Commission's own specification. Safety boots were a bit "hit and miss" back in 1981. As well as the steel toe caps these boots had a screwed, glued and stitched Sherpa-pattern rubber nitrile sole. The sole was oil resistant and didn't melt on hot coals. The yellow heels signified safety boots. There were two styles with different leather and staff were all personally fitted and given their choice of style. The only thing that has fundamentally changed over 40 years is there is much more choice and comfort in boots today. These boots proved to be the catalyst for boot manufacturers realising there was a market outside of the armed forces not being served. Ankle injuries along with elastic sided boots were virtually eliminated by these boots. The iconic Tasmanian company, Blundstone, had a work boot called "Forester" at the time. It had won an Australian Design Award and had a bonded Sherpa sole. Unfortunately, the soles tended to separate from the boot under field test conditions. Eventually they perfected the process Oliver Stevens' main issue was not being able to recruit enough workers to meet the increased demand. Info: Trevor Brown.First safety boots issued to Victorian forest firefightersYellow Back safety boots with leather laces. FCV marked on the heel fire fighting, bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), protective clothing

non-fictionPrior to 1901 the men working in the forests of the Upper Yarra Valley were mainly paling splitters and shingle cutters. When the Warburton-Lilydale Railway was completed in 1901, sawmilling became a major industry and one of the main employers in the Upper Yarra Valley. The railway enabled the sawmillers to get their timber to the Melbourne markets easily and economically. The mills were built, usually in the allotted logging area. Tramlines were used to bring timber from the mills to the railway. In the Upper Yarra Valley the tramlines were mostly horse drawn, or if it was too steep a combination of winches for lowering and then horse to complete the journey. Steam locomotives were used on the Powelltown to Yarra Junction tramline and Ezard-Richards' tramline at Starvation Creek. Donald Ambrose Reid has been a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, Shire Councillor, firefighter and friend but through it all a Sawmiller. This is Don Reid's story. A story of a sawmilling family. Don's memories also give an insight into the early history of Upper Yarra Valley and the changes that occurred in the sawmilling and logging industry. VAL SMITH 1996/97.upper yarra valley (vic.), don reid, donald ambrose reid