In 1898 a recommendation for a railway of 2 ft 6 in gauge was handed down by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, to cost $138,000. Construction of the Colac-Beech Forest railway line began in 1900. About 100 men were employed in laying and ballasting the track while others formed the earthworks and the building of culverts and bridges. The earthworks of gravel ballast 150 mm deep were formed by horse and scoop or by shovel. Once the bed had been laid surveyors went along to check the layout, particularly all check rail curves and all 100 metre curves which the surveyors in the picture are doing.B/W. Three men surveying the construction of a curved bed on which track will be laid, near Barongarook, Victoria.colac; beech forest; barongarook; railways;

Plans for a rail connection between Colac and Beech Forest had been drawn up in 1884 and 1889 but proofed inconclusive because of the enormous cost involved in building a railway in such difficult terrain. Because of the financial depression in the early 1890s such expenditure went of hold. Towards the end of the decade planners recognised that a narrow gauge could be a viable alternative and it was taken up by the community, Parliamentary representatives and the government, although Victorian Railways administration was against the idea. This was overridden. The 1898 Parliament approved a 2 foot 6 inch gauge from Colac to Beech Forest although strict financial limits were set. The route was to be the most direct and the infrastructure the most basic. Construction began in 1900 entailing very steep grades and myriad curves until it finished in 1902. Surveyors and their assistants came before and during the track laying for the whole distance.B/W. Survey camp for the Colac-Beech Forest railway in 1901, showing nine tents, ten men including a cook, survey instruments, and three bicycles. Note the cooking fire on the right.colac: beech forest; railways; survey;

While the first train arrived at Beech Forest on 17 February, 1902, as a special train for a race meeting at Beech Forest Turf Club, two special trains ran for the official opening of the railway by the State Governor, Sir George Sydenham Clarke, KCMG, R.E., F.R.S., that took place on 27 February, 1902. After seeing round the area the guests attended a celebration of the opening at a banquet at Beech Forest. The menu included four impressive courses, coffee and cognac, and included a number of toasts - The King, the Governor, the Minister and the Parliament of the State, Success to the Beech Forest Railway, the Colac Shire Council and the Railway Trust, and the Railway Department, a total of 19 people speaking. The official guests then returned to Colac.B/W. Opening banquet for the Colac-Beech Forest railway line in 1902. The State Governor, Sir George Sydenham Clarke, KCMG, the Premier of Victoria, Hon. A.J. Peacock, MLA, and a number of other important people seated at the top table, with other guests seated to the left and right.beech forest; railways; banquet; colac;

B/W. A reverse or S curve on the Colac-Beech Forest railway line, taken in 1901.colac; beech forest; railways;

Banool station is 34.1 km down the railway line from Colac: this photograph was taken 34.6 km down the line, half a kilometre onwards.B/W. A bend in the line 21.5 miles (34.6 km) looking south.banool; beech forest; railways;

In 1902 a ballast siding was opened 4 km south of Gellibrand to provide materials for track construction. A spur siding with a capacity for six trucks was cut into the side of a slope. Above this was erected a loading bin and chute. The stone proved to be of durable quality so the siding continued after 1902 for periodic track re-ballasting works. The points were set for the main line and spiked shut when the siding was not in use. By the mid-1920s the Victorian Railways found it more economic to use ballast from Penshurst, so the siding was closed by 1925 and the rails lifted.B/W. Gellibrand ballast pit siding at 19 miles (30.6 km) south of Colac. gellibrand; gellibrand siding; railways;

The Puffing Billy Preservation Society came into existence by a popular desire to retain something of our narrow gauge railway past, leisurely in this age but a boon to the sparsely settled areas it served in the past. It served the Wangaratta-Whitefield line, the Upper Ferntree Gully-Gembrook line, the Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes line, and the Moe-Walhalla line, the last railway line served being the Colac-Beech Forest line. None of these railways were a paying proposition but they played an important part in the areas they served. Nowadays, the last bit of line is a portion of the Upper Ferntree Gully-Gembrook line, from Belgrave to Lakeside, run by the Society. The Engine Shed has several small NA-class locomotives with NBH excursion carriages, and at the moment the Garratt G class in pieces. Here comes Puffing Billy! Puffing Billy Preservation Society; Belgrave (Vic); nd (after Aug. 1962). 18 p.; illus., maps. Soft cover.puffing billy preservation society; railways; wangaratta; whitefield; upper frentree gully; gembrook; colac; beech forest; crowes; moe; walhalla;

B/W. Beech Forest railway terminus showing two inspecting officers upon a railway trolley on No.2 track near a shed..beech forest; railways;

B/W. Two inspecting officers examining newly built lines near Wimba in 1902.wimba; railways; beech forest; colac;

At the age of sixty-one Cliff Young, an unassuming potato farmer of Beech Forest, captured the imagination of the Australian people for his record-breaking five days, fifteen hours and four minutes it took him to run the 875 kilometres from Sydney to Melbourne. The previous record was one day, eighteen hours and forty-three minutes longer. Cliff runs with a shuffling gait, his arms hanging by his side, yet he waved to well-wishers throughout the journey. He's a country man with the dry humour of the bush. He trained by herding his brother's cattle on foot, wearing gumboots, and when he needs be he bamboozles experienced comperes with his succinct and witty answers.The Ballad of Cliff Young. Al Simmons. Judy Simmons Publishing; Cheltenham (Vic); 1983. 16 p.; illus. Soft cover.cliff young; athletics;

The Great Ocean Road may be the only road in the world which was built as a war memorial. In 1916, much of Australia was poorly served by roads, and it was suggested that returning servicemen could be given worthwhile employment by building roads in isolated areas. The plan was taken up for the Great Ocean Road, and work was dedicated to the memory of men who had fallen in World War 1. The road itself is a great feat of engineering. It wind around some of Australia's most rugged coastline. Now it is one of the world's most scenic routes, crossing gorges, along precipitous cliffs, through dense forests, and over steeply rolling coastline country.Great Ocean Road. K.G. Stepnell. 1st ed. Rigby Limited; Adelaide (S.A.); 1972. 36 p.; illus., maps. Hard cover. ISBN 0 85179 371 1great ocean road; roads; fishing; timber; twelve apostles;

45 rpm stereo. Side 1: The Puffing Billy song: Victoria's famous narrow gauge train. Alan Rowe (pianist); Tom Mitchell (organist). Side 2: The local baby show. Alan Rowe (comedian, pianist). Fidelis Records; Vermont (Vic); nd. comedy; music;

B/W. Early potato planting with two horses pulling a disc plough in front of a seed potato planter, worked by Ern Minchington. Note the boot of the following man.ern minchington; potatoes; horses;

George Bass and Matthew Flinders made a voyage along the northern coast of Van Diemen's Land in 1798 to prove the existence of Bass Strait. The first vessel to attempt such a passage was the "Lady Nelson" under Lieutenant James Grant. Men sought out Bass Strait without the benefit of a lighthouse for the first half of the 19th Century after which, after several maritime disasters, on 29 August 1848, Cape Otway lighthouse commenced operation. Cape Wickham lighthouse, on King Island, joined its companion at Cape Otway on 1 November 1861.Beacons of hope. An early history of Cape Otway and King Island lighthouses. Donald Walker. 1st ed. Neptune Press; Belmont (Vic); 1981. ii, 154 p.; illus., maps, index. Soft cover. ISBN 0 909131 67 8Signed by author: Donald Walker.cape otway; king island; cape wickham; lighthouse;

Potatoes are known for their great liability to disease, suffering more from the ravages of fungi than any other crop, and this is largely owing to the fact that they are propagated from tubers which are just swollen portions of underground branches of the stem. Portions of the parent plant in the form of tubers or cuttings are planted year after year, so that any inherent weakness in the original is transmitted to the offspring, and therefore, without a process of selection, deterioration is sure to occur sooner or later. When the tubers are raised from seed and a good selection made from them, they are less liable to disease at least for a number of years. Handbook of fungus diseases of the potato in Australia and their treatment. D. McAlpine. 1st ed. Department of Agriculture, Victoria; Melbourne (Vic); 1911. x, 314 p.; illus., map. Hard cover.potatoes; disease; fungus; agriculture;

Schedule of prizes (including Champion prizes of Australia), Sixty-fifth Grand Agricultural Exhibition, 17th to 26th September, 1936. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria; Melbourne (Vic); 1936. 336 p.; illus.; index to advertisers. Soft cover. agriculture; horses; cattle; sheep; pigs; poultry; birds; farm produce; machinery; dairy produce; wine; fruits;

After going to a Revision Court where the voters' rolls had been revised and certified correct every voter on the Shire of Otway register was listed with his or her surname, christian names, residence or post town, nature of calling or occupation, situation and description of property, the yearly value, and the number of votes to which the incumbent was entitled. It included both local residents and residents from other municipalities who owned allotments in the Shire of Otway entitled to vote in Shire of Otway elections.Typescript. Shire of Otway, Voters' Roll for the East (a), Central (b), West (c) and Apollo Bay [comprising a portion of the Parish of Krambruk] (d) Ridings, made in the year 1963. Certified for each riding that it "has been revised and is correct", signed by W.H. Tann, Chairman of Revision Court, 23rd July, 1963.Variously underlined, marked, and written on the verso.shire; otway; voter roll;

On 15 January 1964 the Shire of Otway was going to poll its ratepayers about a loan required to build temporary municipal workshops and a Shire Engineer's office in the Apollo Bay Riding. This led to a number of objections at public meetings in the west and central ridings, such that a Committee of protest was formed, with a nominated Chairman, Secretary and members, to put to ratepayers their considered point-of-view of disapproval. After drafts the Committee produced a printed flyer for distribution to ratepayers summarising the Committee's position. The Committee knew and agreed with a Council Sub-Committee's recommendation to Council of a new, adequate building on one site of suitable size. However, this did not happen. Instead Council moved for loans for temporary renovations of existing buildings. This the Committee objected to believing that Council must decide on a final location before any consideration is given to borrowing money for temporary repairs. This was the opinion the Committee put to ratepayers.B/W Flyer. Otway Ratepayers' Poll on January 15. This concerns YOU. To the Ratepayer as addressed. Details on Ballot Paper.ratepayers; shire of otway;

Typescript (3 pages). Draft. To the rate payers as addressed. 1. Delete paragraph 1: ". We suggest if you have any doubts, that you try and make a personel inspection of the engineers offices as some of us have done. 2. Modify p.2, para. 3. 3. p.3: Delete "committee"; insert "council".shire of otway; ratepayers;

The Lavers Hill Hotel was established in about 1906. The publicans were Messrs. Hedley, Tom McGrath, Pat Harrington and F. Betteridge. When Tom McGrath was publican the hotel boasted 20 rooms and first-class stabling. Pat Harrington when publican supported the local football club when it was formed, and soon after owned the General Store from 1924 until 1926. When a census officer collecting statistical information asked Mrs Harrington, "What does your husband do?" the answer quickly came, "Well now, what could you say Pat has ever done." The hotel burnt done in 1930.B/W. Harrington's Laver Hill Hotel, with one woman approaching the hotel from the left and three people on a very long, two-dimension veranda.lavers hill; hotel;

Derryl Towers wrote to the editor of the Colac Herald about his concerns about the proposal for a loan to create a new municipal workshop and Shire Engineer's office in the Apollo Bay riding. He made several points: a lack of attendance at the poll could bring the matter back to the Council table again; the representative of the Regional Committee is exploring some downward adjustment in Shire contributions; 2/3 of the Shire is reserved for water catchment or timber purposes, in effect a national asset; that the Council Sub-committee's report was sound; all Councillor's agree that new buildings are a necessity; and if we spend money on the loan to renovate old buildings what happens to the proposal for new buildings? Derryl Towers, Letter to the editor. Handwritten, 4 pages, draft, quarto. shire of otway; ratepayers;

Beech Forest first entered the association prior to World War 1, playing in maroon and gold on a ground situated 200 metres north of the final ground. Little is known of the competition in those days. The Club reformed in 1921. Beech Forest changed its colours to Richmond colours and used a ground south of the township, now known as the Football Break Road in the Forest Commission pine plantation. In 1922 the site of the present ground had been purchased but it was 1929 before it was first used, and it was used every year, except 1953 when G. Bellchamber's paddock was used while major renovations were carried out on their home ground. It was in the same year, 1929, that they changed their colours yet again to the blue with white V colours, which they retained until the Club disbanded. Beech Forest won premierships in 1924 and 1940. In 1945 the Club reformed yet again to enter the Otway Association. They were successful in winning premierships in 1946, 1947, 1952 and 1953. Finally, in 1957, the Club disbanded to become part of the Otway Rovers Football Club.Beech Forest Football Club, (1) Annual Meeting and Ordinary Meeting Minutes, November 1948 - September 1952; (2) Annual Meeting and Ordinary Meeting Minutes March 1953 - April 1954, Statements of Receipts and Expenditure 1950 - 1952. 2x Exercise Book.Insert: Grounds used; Best and Fairest Players.beech forest; football; minutes;

A particular triumph for Alfred Joseph Towers was his win at the Romsey and West Bourke Agricultural Society's Annual Potato Show in 1927, taking the trophy from the best potato growers in Victoria, and from the Romsey district in particular, which at that time was famed for its potato production and quality. His father, David Towers, came second in the cup competion. Romsey and West Bourke Agricultural Society, Annual Potato Show, 14 June 1927, Second Prize, for Cup Competition, exhibited by D. Towers (Beech Forest). A.R. Wilson, President: H.M. White, Secretary.romsey; west bourke; potatoes; prize;

Cards. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, Grand Annual Exhibition: (a) 1927; First Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1289 No.5562, Henry Schwieger, Secretary. (b) 1927; Second Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Carman No 3, Class 1271 No.5437; Henry Schwieger, Secretary. (c) 1929; Third Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Carman No 1, Class 1329 No.6186; Henry Schwieger, Secretary. (d) 1930; Third Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1349 No.61217; Henry Schwieger, Manager. (e) 1931; Third Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1352 No.6456; Henry Schwieger, Manager. (f) 1932; First Prize; D. Towers; Potatoes (1 standard sack), Class 1367 No.7380; Louis Monod, Secretary. (g) 1933; Second Prize; Mrs L. Towers; Potatoes, Carman No 3, Class 1352 No.7434; Louis Monod, Secretary. (h) 1933; Second Prize; Mrs L. Towers; Potatoes, Class 1356 No.7445; Louis Monod, Secretary.the royal agricultural society of victoria; rasv; show; exhibition; potatoes;

A bite on the Beechy. Norman Houghton. Norman Houghton; Geelong (Vic); c.2011. 7 p.; refs. Paper.beech forest; colac; railways; gellibrand; wyelangta; lavers hill; crowes;

B/W. An NA-class engine pulling laden timber trucks around a curve with one man leaning out of the engine, two men standing outside at either end of the locomotive, and five men astride the trucks.beech forest; railways;

B/W. On 26 February 1902, on opening day, six men face the camera, including the Governor of Victoria. Other men and a dog at varying distances circulate around three passenger carriages on the Beech Forest line.beech forest; railways; opening;

Document. State of Victoria. 1988 Electoral Roll for the State Electoral District of Polwarth. State Electoral Province of Western (part).electoral roll; polwarth;

The Otways area of Victoria, at the time of writing, was an underused area for bushwalking. In the past, people have considered these ranges unsuited for walking because of the thick forest cover, cold and muddy conditions for much of the year, and the steep slopes. Some of the perceived difficulties are actually attractions and that it is possible to enjoy them with a forward planning and up-to-date information to guide the walker.The Geelong Bushwalking Club have included some useful but brief articles on basic aspects of bushwalking.Walking the Otways. Track notes compiled by the Geelong Bushwalking Club. Graeme Allen (ed.); John Van Gemert (maps, photographs). 1st ed. Geelong Bushwalking Club; Geelong (Vic); November 1986. 148 p.; illus, maps. Soft cover.otways; bushwalking;