A mortising axe is designed for trimming or cutting notches in timber. It has a short handle and square cutting edgeMortising Axe - smalltimber tools

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back pack used to carry portable two-way radios and spare batteries to remote bushfiresCanvas backpackFCV Radio Labbushfire

Canvas bag issued to FCV staff to take personal belonging to bushfiresCanvas Bag for personal gearRus Ritchie, Divisional Forester, Wangarattabushfire

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.

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.

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

Soon after the outbreak of World War Two, the British Government requested experienced forestry soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada to be deployed in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. The first Forestry Company (2/1) was based in Sydney with men from NSW, Queensland and South Australia, led by Captain Cyril Richard Cole, a professional forester from the Australian Capital Territory. The second Forestry Company (2/2) included many Forests Commission staff, local sawmillers and experienced bushmen from Victoria, WA and Tasmania including veterans of the First World War. They were led by Captain Andrew Leonard (Ben) Benallack, a graduate from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1922. Both Forestry Companies sailed from Fremantle on the Stratheden in late May 1940 and landed in England not long after the evacuation of Dunkirk. The foresters were recalled to Australia at the insistence of Prime Minister John Curtin in late 1943 because of the War in the Pacific. After reequipping and some refresher training in jungle warfare at Kapooka the 2/2 Forestry Company was deployed to Lae in Papua New Guinea in May 1944. This photograph was probably taken in Australia before deployment to PNG.Photo in wooden frame of Royal Australian Engineers Forestry Company

An article in the Nunawading Gazette, naturalist John Reid has asked Council to commission a survey of flora and fauna of Antonio Park, Mitcham before this significant bushland remnant is impossible to save.native plants, antonio park, mitcham, reid, john, robinson, randall, victoria. department of conservation forests and lands

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 8 Balyarta Crt., Forest Hill This property is listed as having sold for $158,000 in 1996 Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 8 Balyarta Crt., Forest Hill Of a two story house with a double garage in the background. A landscaped front lawn in the left foreground, and a driveway leading to the the garage in the right foreground. There are 2 hole punch holes along the top edge.8 Balyarta Crt., Forest Hill Margaret Picken -96 Woodards B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 2 Bennett St., Forest Hill This property built circa 1960's, is listed as having sold for $144,500 in 1994 Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 2 Bennett St., Forest Hill Of a two story house with a double garage in the background. Of a driveway on the left leading to a carport, with a path leading to the entrance of a one story brick house. There are two hole punch holes along the top edge.2 Bennett St., Forest Hill Margaret Picken -94 Woodards B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 1 Boyle St., Forest Hill This property is listed as having sold for $144,500 in 1994 Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 1 Boyle St., Forest Hill of a two story house with a double garage in the background. Of a driveway on the left leading to a carport, with a path leading to the entrance of a one story brick house. There are two hole punch holes along the top edge, with the punched out holes still attached.1 Boyle St., Forest Hill Margaret Picken -94 Woodards B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 14 Calypso Crt., Forest Hill This property is listed as having sold for $220,000 in 1994. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 14 Calypso Crt., Forest Hill of a two story house with a double garage in the background. A flat roofed two story house with garage. On the left is the driveway, and on the right a front lawn with garden beds and trees. There are two hole punch holes along the top edge.14 Calypso Crt., Forest Hill Margaret Picken -94 Woodards - B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 23 Deanswood Rd., Forest Hill This property is listed as having sold for $215,000 in 1993 Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 23 Deanswood Rd., Forest Hill. In the background a single story brick house with porch surrounded by trees, a driveway on the left leading to the house. In the foreground on the right is a front lawn with five trees. There are two hole punch holes along the top edge.23 Deanswood Rd., Forest Hill Margaret Picken -93 Woodards B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 27 Deanswood Rd., Forest Hill This property is listed as having sold for $161,000 in 1994 Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 27 Deanswood Rd., Forest Hill. Of a one story house with a porch, steps and path leading up from the driveway on the left which leads to a detached garage in the background. A front yard with lawn, and rock edge garden beds. There are two hole punch holes along the top edge27 Deanswood Rd., Forest Hill Margaret Picken -94 Woodards B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 10 Echunga Close., Forest Hill. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 10 Echunga Close., Forest Hill. Depicting on the left foreground a driveway leading to a brick two door garage, on the right a path to a house and front lawn. In the background is a two story brick house. There are two hole punch holes along the top edge.10 Echunga Close., Forest Hill Margaret Picken -94 Woodards - Balwynwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 17 Everglade Ave., Forest Hill Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 17 Everglade Ave., Forest Hill. depicting a rendered L shape house with a path and driveway on the left.17 Everglade Ave., Forest Hill Margaret Picken © 2000 Fletchers Real Estatewhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 25 Hampshire Rd., Forest Hill. This property is listed as having sold for $104,000 in 1996. Since the time of sale in 1996 the house on the property has been demolished and a new house built on the site. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 25 Hampshire Rd., Forest Hill. Depicting in the foreground a horizontal timber plank fence on the left, and a curving driveway on the right leading to a connected carport. In the background is a small house. There are two hole punch holes just right of centre on the upper edge. There is a 0.5x0.5 mark on the top half of the right edge25 Hampshire Rd., Forest Hill Margaret Picken - 95 Woodards B/Burnwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 10 Hansen St., Forest Hill This property is listed as having sold for $104,000 in 1996. Since the time of sale in 1993 the house on the property has been either rebuilt or extensively renovated. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 10 Hansen St., Forest Hill, depicting a single story house with a driveway to the left and front garden. There are two hole punches near the upper edge.10 Hansen St., Forest Hill Margaret Picken - 93 Woodards - Hawwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 20 Husband Rd., Forest Hill This property is listed as having sold for $199,500 in 2001. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 20 Husband Rd., Forest Hill, depicting a single story brick house, with driveway leading to a connected carport on the left. In the foreground, a low brick fence and front lawn.20 Husband Rd., Forest Hill Margaret Picken © 2000 Fletchers Real Estatewhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 16 Jackson St., Forest Hill, This property is listed as having sold for $199,500 in 2001. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 16 Jackson St., Forest Hill, depicting a single story brick house, with driveway leading to a connected carport on the left. In the foreground, a low brick fence and front lawn.16 Jackson St., Forest Hill Margaret Picken © 2003 Realtorwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by the real estate agency Woodards Blackburn for the purpose of advertising 13 Jaques GVE., Forest Hill, This property is listed as having sold for $130,000 in 1996. Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of 16 Jackson St., Forest Hill, depicting a single story brick house, with driveway leading to a connected carport on the left. In the foreground, a low brick fence and front lawn. There are two hole punch holes centre near the upper edge.16 Jackson St., Forest Hill Margaret Picken © 2003 Realtorwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, forest hill