Handwritten extract from the Bendigo Advertiser Jan 2nd 1911. ''In absence of Mr McBride, Minister for Mines in the country, officers of the Mines Department were inclined to-day to say much about unwatering the deep Bendigo mines, which is again a pressing problem. Owing to the breaking of the steel wire rope at the victoria Quartz mine, the trouble was intensified. An arrangement had been made by which the companies affected along the line should contribute, but two of the companies, it is stated, suspended operations. A scheme has been placed by Mr Stanfield before the parties interested, and the officers of the Mines Department expressed the hope that for the sake of the future of deep mining, some arrangement should be come to. Unless the companies show a disposition to help themselves substantially, the officers do not think it likely that the Government will co-operate. There are, it was added certain provisions of the Mines Act, and covenants in leases can be enforced, but there is no desire to compel the companies which have carried on in the face of great difficulties, to do anything reasonable.'' Albert Richardson Mining History Collectiongold, drainage problems, drainage problems, new chum mines the drainage question, bendigo advertiser 2/1/1911, mr mcbride, mines department, victoria quartz mine, mr stanfield, mines act, albert richardson.

BHS CollectionArticle titled State School No. 323 - Rae's Hill printed on paper and mounted on orange paper with a card backing and laminated. The school first started as a small building on Mt. Korong Rd and was later transferred to a new site on Ironbark Hill. It was known as Rae's School. When the State System was introduced under the Act of 1872 the school was purchased by the Education Department and Mr. Rae was retained as Head. Later it became part of Violet St. It ceased as a separate school in 1928. The old Rae's Hill School remained empty until it was used as a storage depot for goods of an essential nature when there was a threat of possible Japanese invasion during 1939 - 1945. By 1911 the Department paid £1 per week rent to the trustees of the Hopetoun Bandroom on Mr Korong Rd so renovations could be carried out. Classes were taught under the control of Mr. J C Kilfeder. For the younger pupils an arrangement was made with the Trustees of the Rechabite Hall at the rear of the Temperance Hall in View St. The rental here was £1.10.0 per week. At the top of the article is a sketch of Rae's School and near the bottom is a photo of The Hopetoun Bandroom.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - state school no 323 - rae's hill & the hopetoun bandroom, bunny rae, education epartment, the ironbark school, bendigo high school, the junior technical school, the girls' school, gravel hill school, mr j c kilfeder, rechabite hall

Report - 170 pages approx., spiral wire bound, plastic front cover, card back cover with a c1925 photograph of Flinders St Station on the front cover, titled "Passenger Rail Franchising in Victoria an Overview", prepared by the Department of Treasury and Finance for the State Government, April 2000. Has a table of contents. Provides an introduction into the public transport system, reform, auditor general's recommendations, policy framework regarding privatisations and franchising, commercial issues and processes, employment restructuring, legal framework, outcomes, investments, costs, leases, risk transfer. Has annexures on payments to franchisees, rolling stock leases and final bid template.trams, tramways, public transport, franchising, ptc, privatisation, passengers, minister for transport

Report - 32 pages centre stapled, printed on foolscap paper, has an index (see image i2), report of the Royal Commissioner Sawyer titled "Report on the Status and Affairs of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and the scope and working of the State Electricity Commission Acts". Looks at the financial situation of the Commission, its management, equipment, power supply systems, Newport, technical issues, hydro power stations, Yallourn, problems with brown coal, use of Richmond Power station Signed by author on rear page. Note: At the time of cataloguing very little found on Mr. W. Sawyer - see reference in Trove for meeting with Sir John Monash - http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3737172/446386 and International Electrical Engineers - http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=5217646, that he died 1/3/1966, age 93 - had been associated with Electric Street Railway companies, the Railway Engineering Department of General Electric and the firm Ford Bacon and Davis in New York City. For scan of full document see htd2104i3.pdf - downloaded from the Parliamentary web site - 29/7/2018.In the top right hand sector "J.P.S. just to let you know that I have appreciated your many courtesies and kindnesses HHS - 28/5/26". On rear page, has been signed by Willits H. Sawyer.trams, tramways, secv, power supply, royal commission, newport power station, richmond power station

Letter and copy of a list - from the Department of Public Works - dated 14/1/1958 forwarding a list to Mr. McComb of records of correspondence between the years 1904 and 1930 relating to tramways in the Melbourne Metropolitan Area. These records had been forwarded to the State Library of Victoria Archives Branch.trams, tramways, tramways, mmtb, lists, index, records

Letterhead used in the office of the Minister for Public Transport during the 1990's. Office located at 589 Collins St. Melbourne, known as Transport House.A stationery that is associated with a now-evolved ministerial department which existed in the 1990s. White paper pre-printed letterhead, medium weight paper with the State coat of arms. Two copies held.public transport, letters, stationery, transport, minister for public transport

Letterhead used by the Department of Transport during the 1990's. Office located at 589 Collins St. Melbourne, known as Transport House. Has the state logo and the statement "Victoria on the Move" along the bottom edge.A stationery that is associated with a now-evolved department which existed in the 1990s. White paper pre-printed letterhead, printed in green ink. Two copies held.public transport, letters, stationery, transport

Black and white photograph of the construction of the tram track in St Kilda Road, during 1925 or 1926 by the Foundation Construction Ltd, with a concrete mixer tracked vehicle and two aggregate or crushed rock trucks. Photo from the Collection of the Department of Infrastructure now with the Public Records Office - image number H514. Note: this photo is now out of copyright and was not an original VR photograph, but one copied from another source and collected as their Heritage series. See Image 3674i2 and 3674i3 for a digital image of the card photograph at the PRO on 7/1/2019 that this photograph comes from. Further notes from Rod Atkins 11/7/2019: The cement mixer was state of the art machine at the time. "Buddy" in the USA were making them but this one is slightly different and may have been made by a company call AAC in Sheffield U.K. You can just make out the word " ….field" etc … on the water tank . The sign; now this is very interesting. "The Foundation Company" is the Australian company of the one in London.. from The Argus at the time. run by no less than by Herbert Del Cott Ply Ltd. (you can just make that out in the bottom line of the sign.) A rather interesting person in Melbourne society between the wars. His name pops up a lot in The Argus. was not short of a pound either.... Had his "Buick" stolen from Russell Street in 1920. Had some issues with wages on Wellington Street conversion. Looks to have run a electrical business before seeing opportunity with cable tram replacement coming up. In the 1930' lived in Stevenson Street, Kew. Travelled a lot to Europe. (Austria) …..Has Department of Infrastructure copy right stamp on rear and number "H 514" in ink on rear and "2-1"trams, tramways, st kilda rd, trackwork, construction, conversion

Map - 18 fold - 6 x 3 with colour map of public transport including buses, titled "Melbourne's Public Transport Map", published by the Department of Infrastructure, Effective July 1999. Gives rail and tram maps, information on tickets, zones (3 Number) Has The Met contact details and website. Has DOI and State Govt logos. Priced $2.trams, tramways, map, doi, melbourne, the met

A one page document on the history SS 4180 Ringwood East. In 1916 a petition signed by 33 residents was presented to the Minister of Education by Mr J Rouget M.L.A. stating the need for a school at Ringwood East. The District Inspector Mr A.N. Barry recommended a full time school for 75 to 100 children. The building was commenced in 1923. A second 3 page document on the history of the school written by J Hookey and states the 4 acre site was purchased from Mr Ted Lindsay for somewhere between 200 and 300 pounds. A.E. Wieland of Camberwell erected the the school at a cost to the Department of 2,227 pounds. It was opened on July 7th 1924 by the Head Teacher Mr Walter Whittle. 59 pupils were enrolled. Arthur Meyland was the first pupil enrolled. By 1969 the school consisted of 15 classrooms and a central library.

2903 SUNNY CREEK formerly YARRAGON EAST. Sunny Creek State School, first called Yarragon East, was situated on Sunny Creek Road between Yarragon and Trafalgar and was opened in 1888. It was generally served by two teachers or a Head Teacher assisted by a Sewing Mistress. Edwin Mann taught there for 35 years, with his wife, Mrs Mann, as the Sewing Mistress for some years. [Extracted from Vision and Realisation: A Centenary History of State Education in Victoria, Vol. 3, 1973. This does not contain any details of the actual construction of the school, which is a typical Education Department building, and may date from later than 1888]High local historic significance, with some social significance: reunions of old students still held. (Dr Linda Young, Deakin University, significance assessment July 2009)Single-classroom State School. It is a rectangular-shaped timber building with weatherboard walls, timber frame and corrugated iron roof. An outside verandah is situated along the side of the building. Inside there is a small entry porch, a blackboard the length of the room (with fireplace) and a small store-room/cloak room. Built in 1888Has a name board above the front window that reads " SUNNY CREEK SCHOOL SS2903".school, sunny creek, old gippstown, west gippsland, gippsland, gippsland heritage park, goldfields, coal mines, victorian era, moe, historical village, education, sunny creek road, baw baw shire, yarragon east, latrobe valley, old gippsland heritage park, latrobe city council, board of education

Pamphlet - eight fold to DL size, full colour, titled "Free City Circle Tram" with a photo of a City Circle tram passing Flinders St station. Has information about Melbourne trams, the Melbourne Town Hall, Visitor Information, Walking Trails, a map of the route, with places of interest shown. Map shows the service via Spencer St. Has photos of 2013 and 909 as well. Has the City of Melbourne, Department of Infrastructure and Public Transport Corporation logos. Possible produced during the mid 1990's given the various logos used. .1 - As above, but with Yarra Trams and State Government logos See Reg Items 1387 and 2703 for other versions.trams, tramways, city circle, melbourne, public transport corporation, ptc

Building was residence of State School teacher from 1890's. Typical of Education Department residence for teacher. During 1990's cladding and window frames were altered.Colour photograph of a timber dwelling with high pitched gable roof. Gablet ventilator in centre of roof. Narrow front veranda. Pretty garden beds enclosed with railway sleepers. Situated at 14 Bulmer Street, Lakes Entrance Victoriahouses, fences, heritage study

Tower Hill is a volcanic formation believed to have erupted about 32,000 years ago. Its formation is known as a "nested maar" and it is the largest example of its type in Victoria. During formation, molten lava pushed its way up through the Earth’s crust and encountered a layer of water-bearing rock. Violent explosions followed creating a shallow crater which later filled with water to form the lake. Further eruptions occurred in the centre of this crater, creating the islands and cone shaped hills. In 1892 Tower Hill became Victoria’s first National Park. In 1961, Tower Hill became a State Game Reserve under the then Fisheries and Wildlife Department and a major re-vegetation program began. (https://www.towerhill.org.au/index.php/about-reserve/history, accessed 23 December 2019)Panaramic view of Tower Hill, Victoria.tower hill, volcano, crater

Set two SEC memos that were clipped together with item 9824. 1 - titled "Tramways - Extensions" from the Engineer Manager of Electricity supply department (Melbourne) to the Ballarat manager, dated 7-10-1953 - asking for survey information about housing numbers along each route and the possibility of extending the Victoria St and Mt Pleasant routes. 2 - titled "Tramways -Public Passenger transport" - from the Engineer Manager of Electricity supply department (Melbourne) to the Ballarat manager, dated 12-10-1953 - regarding the recent inquiry in Geelong and that data regarding passenger density per hour and passengers per route would be desirable. See item 9806 for this type of materials. Demonstrates SEC Head office correspondence with the Ballarat Branch office re tramways.Set of two typed memos on SECV letterhead.tramways, trams, ballarat, new tramways, passenger services, statistics, enquiry

In November 2024, a small group of cheerful volunteers from the Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA) toiled over nine days to dust-off, photograph and record nearly 300 artifacts in DEECA's Altona Museum. It followed a similar project at the FCRPA's Beechworth Museum in February 2024. The Altona project was generously supported by DEECA / FFMVic to engage professional photographer Mark Jesser from Wodonga whose boundless energy and good humour helped to create these amazing images. Special thanks go to the FFMVic Chief Fire Officer, Chris Hardman, as well as Andrew Stanios and Kat Jensen for making it happen. FFMVic crews and the ever-patient staff from Altona took a strong interest and also helped to shift some of the heavy items like pumps and the Bedford tanker which was very welcome. The Forests Commission and its successors continuously encouraged bushfire research and innovation. In 1946 a large parcel of industrial land was purchased at North Altona as a fire cache and workshop. The Altona workshop became a hotbed of new technological thingumajigs… a marvellous blend of Aladdin’s Cave of Wonders coupled with Wallace and Gromit’s madcap contraptions… an exhilarating place where lots of gizmos were invented and tested… mostly with astounding results... but nearly always with some head-scratching frustrations… and thankfully not too much explosive mayhem. In fact, a lot of Australia’s pioneering equipment development was led by staff from Altona, often in collaboration with other State forestry and fire authorities. The CSIRO also contributed significantly. The US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management and US State agencies such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire (CalFire) as well as the Canadian Forest Service faced similar challenges and proved strong and willing partners in sharing knowledge, ideas, equipment and expertise over many decades. The collection at Altona started in the 1970s by fire equipment wizard Barry (Rocky) Marsden. As obsolete equipment was returned to the Fire Protection Workshop for auction, Rocky began the process of selecting some which would be interesting to retain and display. The items at Altona represent just a small sample of the amazing story of Victoria's forestry and bushfire heritage. The largest item was undoubtedly the Bedford tanker which took two days and nearly 1000 photos which were later stitched together with photoshop. The oldest item is probably the Ericsson wall telephone from 1904. There are also many unique items, but the CSIRO incendiary machine and ping-pong incendiary machine developed at Altona probably had the most significant impact on fire management in Australia. There are plenty of gaps in the collection, but some items are in regional DEECA offices. It’s hoped to merge the FCRPA's Beechworth collection to Altona one day and rename the site to honour Rocky Marsden. There may be some additions to the Altona museum over time, but space is limited. The museum is available to visit by appointment. Peter McHugh - January 2025 forests commission victoria (fcv)

The Aerial Drip Torch (ADT) was an idea conceived in Canada in the 1970s by John Muraro It was developed in 1982 by the New Zealand Forest Service to become the Ashley Aphid Helitorch. Forestry Tasmania acquired one of the machines and modified it in February 1987. Also known as a dragon helitorch it consisted of a large 135-litre tank containing jellied petrol, a displacement pump, propane ignition system, burner nozzle and fire extinguisher system. It was first trialled in Victoria at Swifts Creek in 1991 and the Aerial Drip Torch (ADT) has now become standard practice.Two Aerial Drip Torches (ADTs) were built in the 1990s by the Fire Equipment Development Centre at North Altona, They were developed in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Land Management in Western Australia. The first was trialled during the 1991/92 autumn burning season. The machine proved to be successful and a second machine was introduced in 1998 to assist with burning operations across the State. The ADTs were commonly used for regeneration burning (controlled burning of logging slash). The first ADT introduced in 1992 had a dry weight of 160kg and a capacity of 130 litres, providing about an hour of operation. Following initial use, systematic modifications were adapted including improved ignition of gel at the drop tube, installation of an air bleed valve at the pump to assist pump priming and improved mounting brackets for the CO2 bottles and propane canister attached to the machine. The second, and lightweight ADT, introduced in 1998 had a dry weight of 68kg and a capacity of 200 litres due to a smaller lightweight frame and plastic (Polyfin) tank. In operation the ADT is suspended below a helicopter via four strops attached to the vessel and a cable to the helicopter cargo hook. Gelled fuel is dispensed via a drop tube which is attached to the pump outlet of the machine, and ignited via a gas torch. Safety features built into the first ADT were: a brass melting plug designed to be activated at 200 C bursting disc designed to burst at170 Kpa should the vessel over pressurise. a pressure relief valve set to 35 Kpa ( vessel operated between 16 &34 Kpa) a low pressure sensor designed to shut down the machine should the vessel pressure drop below 15Kpa. the vessel is filled with CO2 above the gelled fuel to eliminate ignition with in the vessel. CO2 is used to expel any residue of ignited gel from the drop tube to prevent ignition when flying outside the boundaries of the burning area. See FIRE EQUIPMENT NOTE - 46 [ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CKtcH-3rUlrtbE9dkNP27PYT2-raVVhF/view ]forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, bushfire aviation, planned burning

The black and white photograph depicts the Lady Bay Lighthouse Complex at Flagstaff Hill, Warrnambool. It was opened on this site in 1871. From left to right, the Chartroom (previously named the Store), Upper Lighthouse, Flagstaff, Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters. The bluestone buildings are facing North on Merri Street. The Harbour Pilot's Lodgings were on the east of the Complex. There are two unknown male figures standing in front of the light-coloured picket fence that encompasses the Complex. The photograph is mounted on card. WARRNAMBOOL'S LADY BAY LIGHTHOUSES In the 1800s ships sailing from England to Australia began to use Bass Strait as a faster route to Melbourne. Small navigation errors led to many tragic shipwrecks. From 1848 lighthouses were operating along Victoria’s southern coast as a guide for sailors. Coastal towns such as Warrnambool grew and the exchange of trade and passengers was of great benefit. However, the uncertain weather changes, relatively shallow waters and treacherous, hidden rocky reefs were not really suitable for a Harbour and in the 1840s and 1850s, there were many shipwrecks in the area, with some even stranded in its Lady Bay harbour. A jetty was built in 1850 and a flagstaff to guide seafarers was placed up high on what became known now as Flagstaff Hill. In November 1857 the Victorian Government recommended that Warrnambool Harbour had beacons and two lighthouses to guide vessels into and out of the Harbour safely. The white light of the Middle Island lighthouse was to be used for the first time on September 1, 1859. The red light of the Beach Lighthouse, a wooden obelisk structure, was first operated on March 25, 1860, but in 1868 this light was ‘discontinued’ due to it being too low. Melbourne’s Department of Public Works decided to relocate the Middle Island Lighthouse Complex - Lighthouse, Keeper’s Quarters, Privy, Store Room and even water tanks - to Flagstaff Hill. The lower obelisk was shortened, and a protruding gallery, railing, and external ladder were added, and the light from the Beach Lighthouse. A green guiding light was erected on the end of the jetty. The transfer of the Complex began in March 1871. Each shaped stone of the lighthouse was carefully numbered, removed then reassembled on Flagstaff Hill. In 1872 the well was sunk behind the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage. The Keepers and families had left Middle Island in April and moved to Flagstaff Hill in October 1871. Vessels entering Lady Bay align the Upper and Lower Lighthouse towers during the day and the lights at night. The Upper Lighthouse is a round tower, and the Lower Light is square. The Lighthouses were categorised as harbour lights rather than coastal lights, so they remain under the control of the Victorian Government’s Ports and Harbours section. The lights were originally powered by oil, then acetylene gas, later by electricity, and then converted to solar power in 1988. In 1993 the solar panel was replaced by a battery charger. A decision was made in 1936 to replace the lighthouses’ lights with unattended lights that no longer required Keepers and Assistants. At least 29 Keepers had attended to the lighthouse from its opening in 1859 to when the last official Lightkeepers left In April 1916. The Warrnambool Harbour Board rented out the Quarters from 1916 to 1936. The Board closed down but the rentals continued with other unknown landlords. In the 1970s the Flagstaff Hill Planning Board was set up under the chairmanship of John Lindsay. The Board was to make recommendations to the Warrnambool City Council regarding using the buildings and the rest of the Crown Land on the site. The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village opened in 1975 and began renovating the Cottage in stages, during which time evidence of a 1920s fire was found in the eastern section of the cottage. Additions of a porch on the west and a washroom on the east were made in the 1980s. The western part of the building is now a Shipwreck Museum and the east has returned to a late 19th-century Lighthouse Keeper’s cottage and includes the screen made by Assistant Lighthouse Keeper Thomas Hope in the late 19th century. He served as Assistant Keeper in Warrnambool for two periods.The Warrnambool Lighthouse Complex is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, H1520, for being of historical, scientific (technological) and architectural significance to the State of Victoria. The Complex is significant as an example of early colonial development. The buildings are significant for their connection with the important navigational function of the Lighthouses, a function still being performed to this day. The buildings are also significant as an example of structures designed and works carried out by the Public Works Department in Victoria in the mid-to-late 19th century. The structures still stand strong. Photograph; Warrnambool Lighthouse Keeper's cottage, lighthouse, flagstaff and chartroom at Flagstaff Hill, and a light-coloured picket fence with gate. Two male figures are in front of the fence. Black and white print glued to a yellow card. The inscription is indecipherable. The right side of the cottage has a built-in, enclosed addition.Ink stamped in lower right hand corner, too faded to be legible.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, lighthouse keeper's cottage, lighthouse residence, lighthouse, chart room, quarters, privy, middle island, beach lighthouse, obelisk, lighthouse complex, lady bay complex, warrnambool port, warrnambool harbour, lady bay, keepers, lighthouse keeper, upper lighthouse, lower lighthouse, assistant keeper, ports and harbours, cottage