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Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Wooden Planting Rake
Used in FCV nurseries for creating shallow planting lines in seedbeds Light weight designWooden planting rake with 8 teethplantations, nurseries -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Adze - small
An Adze is versatile cutting tool similar to an axe but with the sharp cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. The wooden handle is straight and the blade has a slight curve. They are used for smoothing or carving wood such as sleepers An adz, with its long handle, cuts with the grain, and the nature of the chips is different from an axe. While they have a similar shape, they should never be confused with a hoe or mattock used for agriculture and horticulture. Adze - smalltimber tools -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Shingle knife or paling splitter, Also known as a Froe
Also known as a froe (or frow), shake axe or paling knife, this tool is used for cleaving wood by splitting it along the grain. The L-shaped tool is hammered on the top edge of its blade into the end of a piece of wood in the direction of the grain, then twisting the blade in the wood by rotating the haft (handle).Shingle knife or paling splitter Metal knife with short wooden handletimber tools -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Mortising Axe - small
A mortising axe is designed for trimming or cutting notches in timber. It has a short handle and square cutting edgeMortising Axe - smalltimber tools -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Mortising Tool, Axe
A mortising tool is a specialist axe designed for hewing sills and cutting notches in timber. It has a long, narrow head, making it easier to work on large logs. The shape enables the user to cut a long way down into the notch, where otherwise a chisel would be used.Example of a common bush woodworking tool used before the advent of chainsaws and power equipmentMortising Tool, AxePrades Co Solid Steeltimber tools -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Adze - Large
An Adze is versatile cutting tool similar to an axe but with the sharp cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. The wooden handle of this adze is shaped like an axe handle and the blade also has a slight curve. They are used for smoothing or carving wood such as sleepers An adz, with its long handle, cuts with the grain, and the nature of the chips is different from an axe. While they have a similar shape, they should never be confused with a hoe used or mattock for agriculture and horticulture.Adze - Largetimber tools -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Burns Chainsaw - Model 106, BURNS MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC. , 1959
Continuous cutting chain was patented in 1905 by Samuel Bens of San Francisco, while the first portable chainsaw was developed and patented in 1918 by Canadian millwright James Shand. But the main advancements of modern petrol chainsaws occurred in Europe in the 1920s and 30s where Andreas Stihl is often hailed as the "father of the chainsaw" After the second world war lighter materials, metal alloys and improved engine designs revolutionised the logging and timber industry. Of interest on this model is the spacing of the teeth compared to modern machines. With a 4HP motor it has few safety features and is very heavyEarly model chainsawBurns ChainsawModel 106forest harvesting -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Buckingham steel climbing spurs (missing leather straps)
Spurs were attached with leather straps which held them to the climbers legs. The straps are missing on this pair They have a contoured shank with offset stirrup for the climbers boots Buckingham manufacturing dates back in America to 1896. Climbing spurs were made in their blacksmith shop and were popular with linesmen, loggers and tree arborists. Buckingham steel climbing spurs -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Wooden tree measuring calipers (inches)
Foresters usually measure the diameter of trees at Breast Height – traditionally 4 foot, 6 inches – now 1.3 m – which is termed Diameter Breast Height Over Bark (DBHOB). The most common way to measure tree diameter is to place a calibrated tape around the stem at breast height. It’s simple, but can be slow, particularly if the scrub is thick, or if there are heaps of trees. A tree caliper is another quick method of estimating DBHOB. Wooden tree measuring calipersMeasurements are in inches (pre metrication in 1974) A crown faint crown mark (331) and crows foot is visible on one end forest measurement -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
IBM Port-A-Punch
The Forests Commission began using computers in the 1960s for resource inventory under the Chief Forest Assessor Murray Paine IBM introduced the Port-A-Punch in 1958 as a fast, accurate means of manually punching holes in specially scored IBM punched cards. Designed to fit in the pocket, Port-A-Punch made it possible to create punched card documents anywhere. The product was intended for "on-the-spot" recording of data such a assessment plotsThe IBM Port-A-Punch prepared computer data and programming cards. Normally there is a a separate stylus pen, similar to a ball-point pen to punch the holes in the cards, but it is missing This instrument consists of a plastic frame that holds 13 long plastic rectangles along its length. A transparent plastic template which has an array of evenly spaced holes fits over the rectangles, and cards are placed over this. IBM Portapunchforest measurement -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Basal Area Angle Gauge
Foresters usually measure the diameter of trees at Breast Height – traditionally 4 foot, 6 inches – now 1.3 m – which is termed Diameter Breast Height Over Bark (DBHOB). Basal Area is the cross section of the tree trunk at breast height, and the sum for the stand or group of trees is expressed square feet per acre (after 1973 it was expressed in square metres per hectare). Lots of skinny trees, or a few fat ones, can have the same Basal Area, but when combined with the number of stems, Basal Area is a good indicator of stand density. Two common methods are used to measure of Basal Area – fixed area plots and angle count sampling. 1. Fixed area plots require setting out a small area, commonly 50 m x 20 m, and measuring all the trees at breast height, and doing some quick sums. 2. Angle count sampling involves a simple sweep of the forest from a fixed sampling point using a relascope, dendrometer sight, angle gauge, or glass wedge prism. This wooden builders ruler has been shaped at one end to create a shallow angle (usually less than 3 degrees). Standing in one spot, a sweep is made with the wedge held to the eye, and trees are counted as either “in” or “out”. The number of trees is multiplied by conversion factor of the wedge (10 in this case) to estimate basal area. It’s very quick and effective.Basal Area Angle Gauge The two ends fold up and one end (on the right) has been reduced in width to create a shallow angle for the viewer Home made by cutting down a wooden builder's ruler Many forestry students made their own Basal Area Angle Gauges and its thought this may be oneforest measurement -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Gunter's Chain
Before metrication was introduced into Australia in the 1970s land was measured in chains and links. Many old parish plans show length measurements in chains and links. Area was shown in acres, roods and perches. Gunter's chain was used for measuring distance in surveying. It was designed and introduced in 1620 by English clergyman and mathematician Edmund Gunter (1581–1626). Gunter developed the measuring chain of 100 links. The chain and the link, became statutory measures in England and subsequently the British Empire. After metrication units of length were measured in meters and area in hectares. The chain was later superseded by steel ribbon tape.The 66 foot long brass Gunter's Chain is divided into 100 links (each 7.92 inches long), and marked off into groups of 10 by shaped tags which simplify intermediate measurement. It was heavy but flexible enough to be dragged through the bush on surveying transects.(Hence the common forestry term "chainman). The chain was a precision part of a surveyor's equipment. It required frequent calibration, yet needed to be sturdy enough to be dragged through rough terrain for years. It has brass hand grips at each end of chain. 1 chain = 100 links = 22 yards = 66 feet = 792 inches. 10 chains = furlong 80 chains = 1 mile 1 acre = 10 square chains = 4 roods (1/4 acre) = 40 perches.forest measurement -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Telescope used in FCV fire towers - ex military, c 1940s
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. 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. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin.Uncommon usageTelescope used in fire towers Ex military Kern Company NY Argus made in USA Adjustment lens, dials and focus ring Small spirit levelbushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Alidade - sight tube used in FCV fire towers, c 1940s
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. 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. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin.Uncommon usageAlidade Sight TubeFCV and bearing markers on the alloy base. Very simple design. bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Bushfire Awareness - gallows sign
Bushfire awareness gallows signs were common features during the summer fire season and hung outside both FCV offices and on major roadways This large metal sign has different text on each side and the text and lettering is simple enough to be read from a moving vehicleBushfire Awareness - gallows signbushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Myrtleford Forest District office sign, Included Oven's nursery
This metal and enamel sign is believed to have hung outside the Myrtleford Forest District Office. It includes directions to the Ovens Nursery, Office and Residence Phone numbers, radio call signs (VL30V) and office hours are included It also makes reference to hardwood and softwoods In 1956, the new Chairman of the Forests Commission, A V Galbraith, introduced a major restructure of the organisation to create 56 Forest Districts. The process included amalgamating the plantations and hardwood divisions, which had been separate and rival entities up to that time. Things remained largely unchanged for the next three decades until the early 1980s.Myrtleford Forest District office sign -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Shooting Prohibited Sign - canvas, 1953
Signs were erected around the forest to restrict the use of firearms.Shooting Prohibited sign - canvas -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Dugout sign, Post 1966
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 -
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 -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Fire tower warning sign
bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Back pack (for radio gear)
Back pack used to carry portable two-way radios and spare batteries to remote bushfiresCanvas backpackFCV Radio Labbushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Back pack (for personal gear)
Canvas bag issued to FCV staff to take personal belonging to bushfiresCanvas Bag for personal gearRus Ritchie, Divisional Forester, Wangarattabushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Uniform - Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) tie and epaulets (to be worn on polyester shirt) as dress uniform, pre 1984
Polyester shirts plus a green tie and epaulets were the only form of dress unform issued to FCV staff. In later years a brown tie was available. Blue work overalls and safety boots were issued for bushfire work. These were replaced with the now familiar bright green overalls in about 1984. There were no dress pants, jumpers, jackets or shoes issued. This led to a long running dispute between the staff association and the Commission over departmental uniform policy at the time. David Parnaby was a District Forester and accomplished cartoonist who provided insightful and humorous commentary on uniforms through the Victorian State Forester’s Association Newsletter.Example of early staff uniform.Green polyester tie with yellow stripe and round FCV logo. Green FCV epaulet to be worn on polyester shirt as dress uniform. uniforms -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Safety hardhats
The Forests Commission took safety very seriously, long before it became standard practice in the bush. The Chairman of the Commission, Alan Threader, personally chaired the safety committee Sandy Dobbin was appointed as the first "safety officer" in the early 1970s There were many innovations including safety boots and safety hardhats. Safety hardhats. One new hat with "two trees" FCV logo. One with hat with older style FCV sticker belonging to District Forester Col Almond (decorated with logos from the amalgamated CFL agencies). -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Wicker basket to transport seedlings
Seedlings were lifted from seedbeds in FCV nurseries, usually early in the morning, then packed to be transported by road or rail. The seedlings risked damage if they dried out. These baskets were used to transport and protect open-rooted pine seedlings. Thought be used at French Island in about 1920.Large wicker basket used to transport seedlings With metal locking mechanism and wicker handle Donated by FCV forester, Bert Semmensnurseries, plantations -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
ICI Explosives Sampler
The Forests Commission had a large and active engineering branch which was often called upon for major demolition or quarry work. Most overseers, as well as some foresters, were trained in the use of explosives to “blow stuff up” such as removing stumps and rocks from roads. Districts usually had a small powder magazine tucked away in the bush for storage of gelignite and detonators.Sample board showing examples of explosives and detonatorsroad construction and maintenance. -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Sirex wood wasps
In 1949 the Commonwealth Forestry and Timber Bureau proposed a national planting program to make Australia more self-reliant in timber products after the shortages experienced during the war. The threat of introduced sirex woodwasp from Europe in the early 1950s and its eventual discovery on the Australian mainland in 1961 brought the softwood plantation program into question. However, quarantine and control measures using tree destruction and a nematode parasite was put in place.Sirex noctilio was a serious threat to softwood plantations in AustraliaSirex wood wasps encased in resinplantations -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Pulpwood billet hook
Pulpwood was often split by hand or with black powder splitting guns into more manageable sizes and cut into 8 foot lengths (or billets). Billets were first stacked endwise to drain the sap and lighten the load before they were loaded by hand onto flat bed trucks for transport to the mills. This long length metal hook was used to pull and manoeuvre the pulpwood billets onto the truck. The advent of excavators in logging operations in the 1970s led to the loading and carting pulpwood in long tree lengths.Long steel tool with handle on one end and hook on the other. -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Driptorch - Firebug (hand held), c 1985
The origins of the humble handheld driptorch have been lost in time. They are widely used for ignition in controlled burning operations in forest and grasslands. The “Pacific Forester“ with its short central wand and somewhat leaky ball-valve was made by the American Wajax company in the 1940s. The Pacific Forester is slightly different in design from the more robust and common “Panama” driptorch first manufactured in 1933 and used extensively by Queensland cane farmers. The Panama is closely related to the current “Firebug” used in Victoria which is manufactured by Rodney Industries in Brisbane and has an offset wand design which gives it good balance. The fuel is a mixture of petrol and diesel and every FCV District had their own closely-guarded secret formula ... 2:1, 3:1, 1:1, 4:1 or 3:2 ratio. There was also the choice of 91, 95 or 98 octane petrol mixed with summer or winter diesel. Occasionally some of the old Avgas or Jet-A1 lying around the depot was added with a splash of engine oil to make the mixture stick to the fuel to be ignited. The fuel mixed also varied between autumn or spring, heathland, mixed forest, or high-intensity slash burnsCommon driptorch used throughout AustraliaDrip torch with handle Wand has loop and valve. The loop is designed to assist with even flow of fuel which flows out onto the burning head of the wand. Pressure equalising value in top of aluminum fuel container which holds 4 litres of burner mix. Gravitational feed of the driptorch allows the unit to drip fire, making it simple and quick to operate. Instructions for use. CF+L written with texta pen.bushfire -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Driptorch - hand held - unknown date, design or manufacturer, c 1950s
The origins of the humble handheld driptorch have been lost in time. They are widely used for ignition in controlled burning operations in forest and grasslands. The date, origins and manufacturer of this particular model are unknown. The “Pacific Forester“ with its short central wand and somewhat leaky ball-valve was made by the American Wajax company in the 1940s. The Pacific Forester is slightly different in design from the more robust and common “Panama” driptorch first manufactured in 1933 and used extensively by Queensland cane farmers. The Panama is closely related to the current “Firebug” used in Victoria which is manufactured by Rodney Industries in Brisbane. The fuel is a mixture of petrol and diesel and every FCV District had their own closely-guarded secret formula ... 2:1, 3:1, 1:1, 4:1 or 3:2 ratio. There was also the choice of 91, 95 or 98 octane petrol mixed with summer or winter diesel. Occasionally some of the old Avgas or Jet-A1 lying around the depot was added with a splash of engine oil to make the mixture stick to the fuel to be ignited. The fuel mixed also varied between autumn or spring, heathland, mixed forest, or high-intensity slash burnsEarly driptorch designDrip torch with handle Wand has loop and valve. The loop is designed to assist with even flow of fuel which flows out onto the burning head of the wand. Soldered tin fuel container which holds burner mix. Gravitational feed of the driptorch allows the unit to drip fire, making it simple and quick to operate. bushfire