From late in 1960 VR took what were the first definite steps to close the Colac-Beech Forest line. 1,101 tonnes of freight per year flowed from Colac to Beech Forest because of increasing competition from the roads. From 1 July 1960 onwards, when pulpwood (hardwood) stopped being shipped from Beech Forest, a maximum of only 7,000 tonnes/year would be shipped to Colac. Including special trips passenger revenue earned a little more than $200 per annum. The issue of second-hand sleepers stopped entirely and the two track gangs only patrolled the track and tightened loose bolts. The line did not earn its way and on 4 November 1960 it was recommended that services over the narrow gauge line be discontinued.The rear of a goods train from Colac arrives at Beech Forest on 9 August 1961. The other line is the former Crowes line truncated at Weeaproinah in January 1955. In the background is the Beech Forest Hall and Shire of Otway offices. Colour.colac; beech forest; railway;

Considered in terms of both loss of property and loss of life, the Black Friday bushfires on 13 January 1939 were one of the worst disasters to have occurred in Australia and certainly the worst bushfire up to that time. The fires burnt 2 million hectares, 69 sawmills were destroyed, 71 people died, and several towns and sawmills were entirely obliterated. Among those killed were four men from the Commission The subsequent Royal Commission conducted by Judge Leonard Stretton has been described as one of the most significant inquiries in the history of Victorian public administration. Its recommendations led to sweeping changes. In addition to building dams and water points, the Stretton Royal Commission recommended expanding and controlling the use of bushfire dugouts at forest sawmills. Well-constructed dugouts had saved the lives of many sawmill workers and their families during the 1939 bushfires. But in some locations, they had proved fatal. Dugouts became mandatory for those few sawmills that remained in the forest after the 1939 fires. Many remote logging coupes and FCV roading camps also had dugouts. The local District Forester was required to make annual pre-season inspections of all dugouts on State forests and those within the Fire Protected Area (FPA). Some were built privately on private land. Most were primitive construction with a log or corrugated iron roof covered with earth. A hessian bag often hung at the entrance to keep the heat and smoke out. But they were dark and damp with snakes and other creepy crawlies often lurking inside. By 1940-41 there were 19 new dugouts constructed by the Commission and a further 128 by forest licensees. Ten years later there were 8 new Commission dugouts and 21 new ones built by other interests. By 1960-61 the rate of new builds was declining but the Commission still managed 103 dugouts while 127 were looked after by others. However, as the forest road network improved and gave all-weather access to modern two-wheel-drive vehicles the reliance on dugouts receded.Large metal sign that was positioned near forest dugoutsbushfire, forest signs, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Booklet owned by Arthur Baggaley, Fruiterer, who lived at 15 Forest Street, Bendigo. His business 'C.A. Baggaley & Son' was at Covent Garden, Mitchell Street, Bendigo. Arthur was born in Bendigo in 1903 to Charles Arthur Baggaley and Ada (Mallon). He married Evelyn May Grigg. Arthur died in September, 1993.Six page booklet, on front cover: Laughable Dialogues for School and Public Entertainments, Social Gatherings, &c, &c, (free from objectionable language and incident) by S. Knowles, No. 13 "Is Marriage a Failure?'.Baggaley CollectionOn front cover overwritten on text "A. Baggaley, Forest Street, Bendigo'.fruiterer, confectioner, business, mitchell street, covent garden, entertainment, play script, marriage

At its peak the Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway employed more than 21 staff tending the lines that the trains ran over. Gangers (the men in charge of the track gangs) tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate repairers were local recruits. A few of the men who worked on the original construction gangs of 1900-02 remained and obtained positions in the track gangs along the line, but these eased out over time. The track was maintained by seven three-man gangs based at Colac, Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest (where the second Beech Forest crew was based at Wyelangta), and Lavers Hill.Track gang on an NK wagon at Beech Forest, c.1940. Snow covers the ground. B/W.colac; beech forest; crowes; railway; track gangs;

Several "Kanyana Special"s ran from Beech Forest to Colac in the late 1950s to the early 1960s. This photograph of the locomotive G41 and carriages was taken in Beech Forest on 1 March 1959. In the background the Anglicn Church and the Otway Shire Hall and residence are shown.Beech Forest. "Kanyana Special" departing. 1 March 1959. Anglican Church and house, Otway Shire Hall and residence in background. Colour.colac; beech forest; "kanyana special"; anglican church; otway shire hall; locomotive g41;

An early black and white photograph of two men in the forest alongside the top level of Steavenson Falls in Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of two men in the forest alongside the top level of Steavenson Falls in Marysville in Victoria. The Steavenson Falls is named after the Victorian Assistant Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, John Steavenson who arrived in Victoria in the early 1860s.steavenson falls, marysville, victoria, waterfalls, john steavenson

An information brochure on where to see tall trees, Forest Giants, in Victoria, including Marysville, that was published in January, 1938.An information brochure on where to see tall trees, Forest Giants, in Victoria, including Marysville, that was published in January, 1938.Victorian Railways Print January, 1938 469-38 Stamp of Victorian/ Government Tourist Bureau/ 272 Collins Street/ Melbourne C.1victoria, australia, victorian government tourist bureau, betterment and publicity board, victorian railways, white mountain ash, red mountain ash, messmate, blue gum, mountain ash, cumberland valley, marysville, mount monda, healesville, acheron way, alpine highway, omeo, baw baws, strzelecki ranges, otway ranges, warburton, yarra junction, noojee, bulga and tarra valley park, yarram, turton's pass, otway forest, beech forest, apollo bay, information brochure, brochure

Photo is of Moora Moora in the Victorian Valley. Typical of the time as a promotional image taken by Forests Commission Victoria.View over a large Valley with ranges in the distance. Roads through the valley are visible and a body of water in the middle right of the photograph. A rocky outcrop is in the left side foreground.Publicity & Public Relations Branch. When reproducing please acknowledge Forests Commission Victoria Negative no. 322-26scenery, grampians ranges

Flag used by Rotary International - Forest Hill.Cream oblong flag with yellow and blue logo 'Rotary International'. On header of flag 'R.C. of Forest Hill' on either end of Header is a gromnet each side.Rotary Internationalflag, rotary international, forest hill

Book written for the Historical Society on the occasion of a trip following the wartime wood trail to Glywylln ForestBlue card cover with blue tape over staple on the spine. Handwritten title with Authors name"Wartime Wood Trail" 1942-1945 Italian Internees Glynwylln Forest By J.D. Gillespie Former Divisional Forester Horshamstawell ww2

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the War, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. The communication systems were regarded at the time to be more technically advanced than the police and the military. These pioneering efforts were directed by Geoff Weste, and later technical experts like Rex Philpot, John Whitehead, Charlie Reisinger and many others who designed, built and repaired most of the radio equipment. There was a dedicated radio laboratory at Surrey Hills in Melbourne. The purpose and operation of this particular instrument is unknown.FCV testing meterMade in the radio laboratory of the Forests Commission Victoriaradio, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Decimal currency was spectacularly introduced in an overnight overthrow on 14 February 1966, but it took another 8 years before metrication finally arrived in the forest and timber industry. Eventually, the measurement of logs and sawn timber changed from imperial, and excruciating, measures such as super feet of sawn timber, billets and cunits (100 cubic feet) of stacked pulpwood and hoppus log volumes to simpler cubic metres. Measuring firewood was a particular nightmare. For example, there were standard chords, stove cords, kitchen cords, running cords, face cords, thrown chords, fencing cords, country cords, long cords, raummeter or steres (1m x 1m x 1m). A standard cord of firewood had a volume of 128 cubic feet, measured as a pile 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet wide (3.624 m3). And how about this for confusing…. in Victoria, an imperial or long ton (by measure) of green firewood was a stack 5 feet long billets (2 axelengths at 2′ 6″ each), one axelength high (2′ 6″) and two axelengths long (5 feet) equalling 62.5 cubic feet. For added befuddlement, there were three different sorts of tons: Imperial tons or long tons, American short tons and metric tonnes (spelled with two n’s). Not forgetting that a cubic imperial ton of firewood (40 cubic feet) which equalled 1.133 cubic metre. The metrication process began in 1974 and was completed by 1976 but the transition was not without its challenges along the supply chain for foresters, overseers, logging contractors, sawmillers, hardware stores and builders alike. Timber lengths changed from feet to metres but were still sold in multiples of one foot or 0.3 m (1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7 etc) whereas a menacing lump of 4-Bee-2 transformed into a rather less colourful 100mm by 50mm. Measurement and calculations of area also became so much easier in hectares rather than complicated acres, roods and perches. The Forest Metriverter slide-rule was issued by the Forestry and Timber Bureau to make metric conversions easier.Forest MetriverterRoss Pennyforest measurement, surveying, forests commission victoria (fcv)

An early black and white photograph of a corduroy road running through the forest near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of a corduroy road running through the forest near Marysville in Victoria. A corduroy road (or log road) is a type of road or timber trackway made by placing logs, perpendicular to the direction of the road over a low or swampy area. The result is an improvement over impassable mud or dirt roads, yet rough in the best of conditions and a hazard to horses due to shifting loose logs.ARMSTRONG COLLECTION 42 STATION STREET/ SANDRINGHAM 3191/ TEL. (03) 9521 5442/ IAN M.L. ARMSTRONG OAMcorduroy road, marysville, victoria, beech forest

An early black and white photograph of a corduroy road running through the forest near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of a corduroy road running through the forest near Marysville in Victoria. A corduroy road (or log road) is a type of road or timber trackway made by placing logs, perpendicular to the direction of the road over a low or swampy area. The result is an improvement over impassable mud or dirt roads, yet rough in the best of conditions and a hazard to horses due to shifting loose logs.ARMSTRONG COLLECTION 42 STATION STREET/ SANDRINGHAM 3191/ TEL. (03) 9521 5442/ IAN M.L. ARMSTRONG OAMcorduroy road, marysville, victoria

Upon confirmation that a new bridge was to be built, there was some discussion about the possibility of retaining the old bridge for pedestrian purposes, or part of the old bridge as a fishing platform. These letters are part of the correspondence re an organisation taking responsibility for the ongoing maintenance so the old bridge could be retained.The old bridge was constructed of locally sourced timber and was such an important structure to the town when built. Its sentimental value saw locals attempt (although unsuccessfully) to retain the old bridge.Two A4 Typewritten letters, one from the Road Construction Authority to the National Trust Australia, the other from the Department of Conservation Forests & Lands to Mr John Irvine. And one hand written letter.RCA letter is stamped "Received 22 Aug 1985", Dept of Conservation Forests & Lands has a pencilled phone no inscribed.peterborough, curdies river bridge, old peterborough bridge, department of conservation forest & lands, road construction authority

The last train to Beech Forest ran on 30 June 1962, between Banool and Wimba. The train had a particularly motley look with 180 passengers loaded into NU goods vans and the old NQ wagons hastily fitted out with temporary seats and tarpaulin roofing. The train was hauled by the G42 locomotive kept alive through patch-up repairs and cannibalised G41 parts, steam escaping from every joint.Last train to Beech Forest, 30 June 1962.beech forest; trains; railways;

The registered players listed are members of the Beech Forest Football Club during the period c.1948-1951.The Gordon memo book containing Registered Players of the Beech Forest Football Club. Covers plus 14 p., 6 p. entered. 1 p. football team list inserted.beech forest football club; players;

Archie McArthur grew flowers and vegetables and sold them from his house in Canterbury Road, Forest Hill. Later owners used the property as a restaurant and plant nursery. About C 2011, the property was completely demolished and flats were erected.Coloured photograph of the facade of Archies Restaurant, Canterbury, Forest Hill. White umbrella in centre.archives restaurant, forest hill, mcarthur, archie, canterbury road, forest hill no 259-261

Tom Jenkins opened the Australian Stamp and Coin Company at Forest Hill Chase 24 years ago at the age of 60 and has customers in 79 countries.Tom Jenkins opened the Australian Stamp and Coin Company. jenkins, tom, australian stamp and coin company, forest hill chase

On 21 November 1959 yet another special train was run, this time on a G41 engine showing the sign "Puffing Billy Preservation Society, Beech Forest, 25-11-59", with eight NBH excursion carriages and a guard's van. The train stopped at Beech Forest where people removed themselves and wandered around the station. Mixed goods wagons loaded with wood and louvred van rest in the background. Note the delta or 'scissors' crossover between lines in the centre of the picture.B/W. Beech Forest Railway Station with a G41 locomotive, showing the sign "Puffing Billy Preservation Society, Beech Forest, 25-11-59" on track number one, mixed goods trucks on track number three, passengers throughout, and the delta or scissors crossover line, at 21 November 1959.beech forest; railways;

Locomotive 8A, two freight cars, a passenger car and a guard's van leave Crowes Station for Beech Forest. Crowes Station consists of a two-layered station building, a goods shed and a toilet at a three-line terminus.Crowes Station soon after opening in 1912 with Locomotive 8A about to depart for Beech Forest and Colac.crowes; station; railway; locomotive;

When the numerous gold mines declined in production, the eucalyptus oil industry became an important source of work. The first eucalyptus oil producer in Bendigo was a chemist called Richard Sandner who operated a plant and refinery in Bridge Street from 1876. By 1900, many other distillers operated on the northern edge of Bendigo and in the Whipstick. In 1926, the Forest Commision established a eucalyptus distillery at Gunyah in Wellsford State Forest. See the Wellsford Forest Note for more information. Today, there are just two eucalypt distilleries operating in Bendigo. Most of the world’s eucalyptus oil is now produced overseas. Peter Ellis Collection: eight slides of his Holden FJ and a friend's car in the Whipstick Forest. Peter Ellis was a chemistry lecturer at the Bendigo Institute of Technolgyhistory, bendigo, peter ellis collection, bendigo institute of technology, b.i.t., whipstick bendigo, bendigo state forests, eucalyptus oil