This is a circa late 1930s donation pin for the Australian Air League (AAL). The AAL was started in 1934 by war veteran George Robey when he discovered there was no Australian organization for youths interested in aviation. Part of the button collection of Frederick Hyams Round pin, navy blue background This is a circa late 1930s donation pin for the Australian Air League (AAL). The AAL was started in 1934 by war veteran George Robey when he discovered there was no Australian organization for youths interested in aviation.Australian Air League To Defend*To Develop 5c Sold by Gen. Secty. Only

"On 5 July 1936, locals in Melton South saw a plane emerge from behind clouds above the railway station, in heavy wind and rain. Engine roaring, the plane went into a spin and disintegrated into pieces in mid-air, before crashing to the ground near Arnold’s Creek. The pilot, young Australian aviator Jimmy Melrose, and a passenger, Alexander Campbell, were killed.Jimmy Melrose was a popular figure in international aviation, having been the youngest and only solo pilot to finish the London to Melbourne Centenary Air Race in 1934. His death, at the age of just twenty-two, caused an outpouring of sorrow. He was honoured with a state funeral two days later at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, which was attended by thousands of people. Locals Maisie Arthur, Ted Wickham and Bill Cahill gave eyewitness accounts of the accident to the authorities, and an inquest found that it was the result of structural failure and poor weather. A cairn erected by locals near the scene was reconstructed by the Melton and District Historical Society in Brookfield, opposite the Melrose Memorial Reserve, on the 40th anniversary of the crash in 1976".Regional Gazette article of a cairn erected by locals near the scene of the plane accident which involved Jimmy Melrose, and passenger, Alexander Campbelllocal significant events, landscapes of significance

Edna Barrie at the cairn, photo received from Graeme Minns in 1988. The cairn marks the site of Jimmy Melrose's plane crash in Melton South. The accident which happened on July 5th 1936. In 1934 Melrose made headlines with a series of spectacular flights. In July of that year, he set around Australia record and in that year established a new solo Australia England record when he flew to England to compete in the MacRoberston race with a De Havilland Puss Moth VH- YQO. The only Australian and the only solo pilot to complete the course within the time limit. He was seventh in finishing order and third in the handicap section making news again during the race with a dramatic landing in Darwin with empty fuel tanks. Late in 1935 Melrose imported the Phoenix for his “Adelaide to Anywhere” Charter Service. The previous year the Heston Aircraft Company had taken over the interests of the well known Comper Aircraft Company, and the first production of the new firm was the Phoenix, a single-engined all wooden five seater machine of sesquiplane configuration. The forward half of the fuselage was a streamlined rectangular section and the rear portion was a monocogue shell; the whole was of plywood fabric covered. The wing was built up of spruce box spars and lattice ribs, ply covered from the leading edge to the front spar and the fabric covered over the remainder. The tail surfaces were of similar construction. The most notable feature of the design was the lower stub wing which ran right across the fuselage embodying two box spars, plywood covered it housed the main undercarriage wheels when retracted and provided a substantial anchorage for the Nu form wing struts. The Dowty undercarriage retracted inwards, operated manually by hydraulic packs, Dual control fitted, with side by side seating for the pilots and three passenger seats behind. Power was a 200 h.p. De Havilland Gipsy VI 6 cylinder inverted in-line air-cooled engine. Six Phoenix were built; five of them registered in Great Britain and one of those was later sold abroad the remaining four were impressed into the R.A.F. in 1940. Specifications were: 40 feet 4 inches length 30 ft 2 ins height, 9ft 7ins, wing area 270 sq ft, Tare weight 2,600lbs loaded weight 3,300lbs; cruising speed 360 m.p.h. landing 50mph ceiling 14,000 ft range 700 miles. Melrose’s machine the first production aircraft was built early in 1936 and test flown of the 24th March. Painted green it carries the words “South Australian Centenary 1936” in silver of the fuselage and the name “Billing on the engine cowling in honor of Melrose’s uncle Noel Pemberton Billing, pioneer designer and founder of the Supermarine Aviation Company. The delivery flight was planned as a goodwill mission to publicise the forthcoming South Australian Centenary celebrations. Melrose left Dympne on the 9th April 1936, and flying via Marseilles, Naples, Athens, Baghdad, Basra, Karachi, Jodphur, Calcutta, Akyab, Penang, Singapore, Lombok, Darwin, Newcastle Waters and Alice Springs reached Adelaide on the 25th of April. Continuing the goodwill flight to other States, he visited Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Grafton, Brisbane, Coff’s Harbour, Sydney again, Launceston, Hobart and Mount Gambier before returning to Adelaide on the 13th May. During June Jimmy made some charter flights and early in July was engaged by Mr. A.J. Campbell a director of several mining companies from Melbourne to Darwin to commence at Essendon on the4th July. However on that day low cloud and steady rain caused the postponement. There was little improvement and Melrose was advised to delay the departure again. However he wished to reach Oodnadatta that night, and when he observed the break in the clouds decided to leave. He planned to climb above the cloud and fly to Adelaide at 3,000 feet. The aircraft was airborne about 8.10 a.m. and was last seen from Essendon climbing above the clouds. At 8.45 people at Melton (30 miles West of Melbourne) heard an approaching aircraft. The engine noise increased abnormally and eye witnesses saw the machine fall out of control from the cloud base about 800 feet and then disintegrate, fragments were scattered for 1½ miles and both occupants were killed. Hand written carbon copy by Edna Barrie.Typed by Wendy Barrie March 2014 Last Flight of Jimmy Melrose by John Burke Parade Magazine July 1972 Page 2 –4 This article gives the take off time of 7.50 am from Essendon Airport Eyewitness account at the time Maisie Arthur’s description. Newspaper article. Edna Barrie at the site of the 'Cairn'local identities, local significant events

This artefact originates from a petroleum company which operated in Victoria from 1933 until 1945. The Alba Petroleum Company of Australia Pty. Ltd. was established by P. J. Adams and A.G. Wales. They had distribution facilities in the industrial estate of Newport in Victoria and also marketed to South Australia and Tasmania. Their advertising during World War 11 emphasised the need to keep petrol profits in Australia. They claimed to have the largest independent bulk storage unit in Australia. They pioneered the use of tar alcohol which was blended with "standard motor spirit to produce a super fuel. They were marketers of ALBA Super, the Aviation Quality Spirit containing Australian produced alcohol, ALBA motor spirit, ALBA power kerosene and ALBALITE lighting kerosene. In 1945 after the war ended, ALBA was incorporated with the Australian Motorists Petrol Company, which in turn, became AMPOL Petroleum Ltd in 1949.This artefact is representative of an Australian innovative company and a product which was widely used on a local, state and national level for industrial and domestic applications.A cylindrical steel/metal can for petrol storage and transfer. It has the brand name of the company ALBA embossed into the lid.On lid: " ALBA"alba petroleum company, ampol, petroleum companies australia

This publication has a hard cover with a dust jacket. It consists of 191 pages, including 85 black and white and 12 coloured images.This book includes biographies of 16 different airmen with whom the compiler has come in contact. They have had their own uniques experiences in aviation. 12 of them served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). One of the aviators featured in this publication is Joe Drage, Born on 10 July 1931 in Walwa, Joseph Gordon (Joe) Drage operated a timber mill and earthmoving business, but his great passion was aviation. After obtaining his pilot’s licence at the age of 19, Mr. Drage set about buying vintage aircraft that he feared would be sold overseas. He bought his first aircraft, a Tiger Moth in 1965. In 1972 he established Drage Historical Aircraft Museum on about 60 ha of land in Wodonga, with 5 planes. Over time this grew to 21 planes which Joe maintained so that they were all in flying order. His museum was the location for several air shows which included fly-ins by members of the Antique Aeroplane Association. The land occupied by the Museum was compulsorily acquired by the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation and Wangaratta council bought the aircraft collection for about $2 million. They opened Drage Airworld in 1984. The cost of maintaining the collection became too much for the council which closed it down in 2002. Joe Drage died on 9 August 2017.air pilots australia, aviation history, joe drage, joe drage airworld

This medallion was produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's annual air show which was held at Wodonga. It took place at Joe Drage's Air World Museum in Wodonga, Victoria. The event included a fly-in by members of the Antique Aeroplane Association which attracted vintage planes from all parts of Australia. This medallion and 2 other linked medallions were owned by Mr. Clive Cossor. He spent a lot of time at Drage's Historical Aircraft Museum and also helped transport gliders. He was also at the Albury racecourse as a teenager to assist in moving the Uiver when it was forced to land in a storm during the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race from London to Melbourne in October 1934.This medallion is significant as it records an important event recognising aviation in Australia.A medallion produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's annual air show held at Wodonga. Around edge of the front of medallion "ANTIQUE AEROPLANE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA WODONGA 1982" with the De Haviland logo in the centre, On the reverse side "SPONSORS/RADIO/2AY/ALBURY-WODONGA" 8aviation history, antique aeroplane association of australia, joe drage airworld, airshow wodonga

This medallion was produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's fourth annual air show which was held at Wodonga on June 14 and 15, 1980. It took place at Joe Drage's Air World Museum in Wodonga, Victoria. The event included a fly-in by members of the Antique Aeroplane Association which attracted 105 vintage planes from all parts of Australia. The show incorporated the Amy Johnson memorial rally to recognise the 50th anniversary of Amy Johnson's flight from England to Australia in 1930. Radio 2AY, the sponsor of the annual air show began broadcasting in 1930. This medallion and 2 other linked medallions were owned by Mr. Clive Cossor. He spent a lot of time at Drage's Historical Aircraft Museum and also helped transport gliders. He was also at the Albury racecourse as a teenager to assist in moving the Uiver when it was forced to land in a storm during the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race from London to Melbourne in October 1934.This medallion is significant as it records an important event recognising aviation in Australia and recognises Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.A medallion produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's fourth annual air show held at Wodonga on June 14 and 15, 1980 On the front around the medallion: "ON THE AIR FOR 50 YEARS/ANTIQUE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION 1980" . In the centre "SPONSORS/ 3AY/ALBURY-WODONGA/50th/ANNIVERSARY AMY JOHNSON/FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA/41/WODONGA 1980" On reverse: a depiction of Amy Johnson with wings inscribed "JOHNNIE 1930"aviation history, antique aeroplane association of australia, joe drage airworld, airshow wodonga, amy johnson

This medallion was produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's annual air show which was held at Wodonga in 1981. It took place at Joe Drage's Air World Museum in Wodonga, Victoria. It recognised the 50th anniversary of the manufacture of the first De Haviland 82 Tiger Moth in 1931. This medallion and 2 other linked medallions were owned by Mr. Clive Cossor. He spent a lot of time at Drage's Historical Aircraft Museum and also helped transport gliders. He was also at the Albury racecourse as a teenager to assist in moving the Uiver when it was forced to land in a storm during the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race from London to Melbourne in October 1934.This medallion is significant as it records an important event recognising aviation in Australia and recognises the development of the Tiger Moth aircraft.A medallion produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's annual air show held at Wodonga in 1981On the front around the medallion surrounding an image of a Tiger Moth aircraft: "The Golden Anniversary of the DH. 82 "Tiger Moth" 1931-1981" Numbered 71 On reverse around the edge: "Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia/ WODONGA 1981". In the centre: "SPONSORS/2AY/ALBURY-WODONGA"aviation history, antique aeroplane association of australia, joe drage airworld, airshow wodonga, dh tiger moth

A copy of a speech by Sir John Young to launch Legacy Week in 1990 and a media release and details of the events of Legacy Week. Sir John Young was a Chief Justice of Victoria and the launch was in the Victoria Arts Centre. The events included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. See newspaper article at 01522 and photos at 01523. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality, see items at 01250, 01520. The slogan "Lest YOU forget" was used with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. Often there is a celebrity who gives his or her time as 'Personality of the Year'. Examples are Sir Weary Dunlop (1992), Clive James (1993), the Scott family (1994), The Emmanuel brothers (1995), Daryl Somers (1996 and 1997), and Patsy Adam Smith (1994?). Was in a folder with marketing material from the 1990s to 2009, see items 01240 to 01258. The collection shows the types of marketing materials that were produced and the celebrities that were helping Legacy.An example of promotional material from the 1990s, including the speech and media release. Marketing material and photos were compiled and released to newspapers, also printed as brochures and sometimes as stickers and collection tin wrappers. White A4 paper with black type x 8 pages of a speech and a media release for Legacy Week in 1990.legacy promotion, badge appeal, legacy week, speech

Launch of Legacy Week in 1990 included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. The article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. Photos are at 01523 also see media release at 01521. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality, see items at 01250, 01520. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. An example of promotional material from the 1990s, including the speech and media release. Marketing material and photos were compiled and released to newspapers, also printed as brochures and sometimes as stickers and collection tin wrappers. Newspaper article for an aviation art exhibition for Legacy Week in 1990 and an article about the death of the artist.legacy week, paintings, promotion, frank harding, planes, warplanes

Launch of Legacy Week in 1990 included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. A newspaper article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. Guests included Bud Tingwell, who flew for the RAAF in World War 2 and other RAAF personnel. It appears to have included a heritage display from the Royal Australian Air Force Museum at the same time. The article is at 01522 also see media release at 01521, more photos of the paintings and guests are in 01524. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. Often there is a celebrity who gives his or her time as 'Personality of the Year'. Was in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991.An example of an art exhibition being held at Legacy House to promote Legacy during Legacy week in 1990.Colour photo x 6 of an art exhibition for Legacy Week in 1990.legacy week, paintings, planes, warplanes, promotion

Photos of the launch of Legacy Week in 1990. The guest speaker was Sir John Young. A media release and details of the events of Legacy Week are at 01521. Sir John Young was a Chief Justice of Victoria and the launch was in the ANZ Pavilion at the Victorian Arts Centre. Another special guest was Mrs Winifred Fotheringham, who at 101 years of age was Legacy's oldest widow and was the personality of the year for Legacy in 1990. She participated in several promotional events. (see 01553 and 01554). Other Legacy Week events included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. See newspaper article at 01522 and photos at 01523 and 01524. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality, see items at 01250, 01520. The slogan "Lest YOU forget" was used with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. Often there is a celebrity who gives his or her time as 'Personality of the Year'. Was in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991. The photos were taken by Legatee Melican.An record of a guest speaker launching Legacy Week in 1990.Colour photo x 13 of the launch of Legacy Week in 1990 including speech by Sir John Young.legacy promotion, badge appeal, legacy week, speech

Launch of Legacy Week in 1990 included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. A newspaper article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Guests included Bud Tingwell, who flew for the RAAF in World War 2 and other RAAF personnel. It appears to have included a heritage display from the Royal Australian Air Force Museum at the same time. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. The article is at 01522 also see media release at 01521, more photos of the paintings and guests are in 01523. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. Often there is a celebrity who gives his or her time as 'Personality of the Year'. Was in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991.An example of an art exhibition being held at Legacy House to promote Legacy during Legacy week in 1990.Colour photo x 9 of an art exhibition for Legacy Week in 1990.legacy week, painting, promotion, planes, warplanes

Photograph of Legatee Bob Cowper and another man by displays of paintings of aircraft. It was the launch of Legacy Week in 1990 which included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. The photo was used for a newspaper article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. Photos are at 01523, the article at 01522, also see media release at 01521. Date is assumed to be 22 August 1990 from the reference number on the back 900822.An example of an art exhibition being held at Legacy House to promote Legacy during Legacy week in 1990.Black and white photo of Legatee Bob Cowper at the aviation exhibition. Stamped on back Copyright Herald and Weekly Times in green ink. Handwritten "900822 / 261" in blue ink, "Pic 7" in black ink.legacy promotion, legacy week, painting

Alan McArthur from the CSIRO began his experimental burning program in the late 1950s near Canberra and published his landmark paper in 1962, “Controlled burning in eucalypt forests”. Leaflet No. 80, as it was known, proved a turning point for forest and fire managers across Australia. It led to the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Meter (FFDM) which first appeared in operational use in 1967 as the Mk 4. The CSIRO had developed its semi-automatic aerial incendiary machine dropping small capsules, with the first trial from a fixed-wing Cessna 337 at Manjimup in December 1965. In April 1969, the Forests Commission borrowed the second prototype of the CSIRO machine to carry out fuel reduction burning at Orbost. The success prompted the purchase of their own machine in 1970, which now sits in the Altona Museum. Pioneering machine in the development of aerial ignition in AustraliaAerial Incendiary Machineforests commission victoria (fcv), planned burning, bushfire aviation, bushfire

Alan McArthur from the CSIRO began his experimental burning program in the late 1950s near Canberra and published his landmark paper in 1962, “Controlled burning in eucalypt forests”. Leaflet No. 80, as it was known, proved a turning point for forest and fire managers across Australia. It led to the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Meter (FFDM) which first appeared in operational use in 1967 as the Mk 4. The CSIRO had developed its semi-automatic aerial incendiary machine dropping small capsules, with the first trial from a fixed-wing Cessna 337 at Manjimup in December 1965. Many technological and safety improvements followed including the Raindance machineAerial Incendiary Machine developed in Western Australia Rather than "ping pong balls" it uses a belt of incendiary "caplets" which are injected inside the machine before being ejected Raindance Systems R2forests commission victoria (fcv), planned burning, bushfire aviation, bushfire

briefings: raaf scherger: the last bare base, exercise pitch black 98, rsingaf helicopter training in australia, greek air force t-33s, chilean af at red flag, air power analysis update: argentina, dam-pam ’98 french army exercise feature, us airborne command and control systems, focus aircraft: lockheed martin f-16 block 40 and beyond (50 pages), variant briefing: mig-29 ‘fulcrum’, us army aviation in korea photo feature, air power analysis: bulgaria

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 innovation… an exhilarating place where lots of things were invented and tested. 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. This collection of badges is testament to the relationships that were forged across the globe with the Altona workshop. Large display panel featuring many fire service badgesforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, bushfire aviation

Official RAAF Magazine issued fortnightly during WW2 between April 1943 to March 1946In publication since 1942, Wings delivers an informative and entertaining collation of Australia's proud aviation history, the latest aerospace research and technology, aviation industry and military news, encouragement for our junior leaders and engagement with the veteran community.Grey and white magazine with photograph of WREN on a boat at sea.Vol 4 No 5 Dec. 12, 1944 wings, raaf, magazine, ww2

Based on the earlier successful tests with the RAAF Dragonfly in 1948-49, together with the effective use of aircraft during the extensive Gippsland bushfires in March 1965, the Forests Commission took the plunge and contracted its own dedicated Bell 47G in the summer of 1965-66. This was an Australian first for any forest or bushfire agency. Rappelling trials at Snowy Plains and Tallangatta soon followed, which led to operations based at Heyfield with a two-man crew to quickly attack small fires in remote locations. The Heyfield rappel crew was another Australian first and remained in place for the following two fire seasons but lapsed after concerns from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) about the stability of the small and underpowered Bell 47G. Later in 1982, after nearly 18 years absence, the Commission recommenced rappelling operations using larger and more powerful National Safety Council (NSCA) Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters based in Sale, Gippsland. During the 1983 bushfires, a specially trained and equipped FCV crew rappelled by rope from a hovering NSCA helicopter to suppress a small fire in remote terrain in the Orbost Forest District. Rappel model with protective equipment, harness and rope drop bagforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, bushfire aviation, safety equipment

The successful dropping of supplies to remote fire crews involved a great deal of experimentation. The result was a large heavy-duty cardboard container being developed in 1964 by Athol Hodgson from the FCV Fire Research Branch which employed fold-out wings and was called the “helibox”. It was suitable for supplies weighing less than 9 kg and best dropped from about 300 feet and became a standard technique. It was adopted Australia wide, but the wider availability of helicopters made the helibox eventually redundant.Unique to Victoria but adopted across Australia.Large cardboard box with "wings" to cause it to rotate when dropped from the air. With cut away sections to show how contents were packed Wings held in place by means of string office "Ty-Tite" fasteners.forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire aviation, bushfire, camping equipment

From front cover; "ANZAC 7 AVIATOR/ THE REMARKABLE STORY OF/ SIR ROSS SMITH AND THE 1919 ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA AIR RACE".Soft cover. Cover - cardboard, white, black and yellow print on front, spine and back. Illustrated front - sepia toned portrait photograph of Sir Ross Smith in uniform. Back 0 small muted colour photograph of bi-plane with two men. 406 pages - cut, plain, white coloured paper. Illustrated black and white photographs, posters and maps.publication, book, biography, aviation, sir ross smith

Conrad Wood (Woody) graduated from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1957, and after postings with the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) at Swifts Creek and Sirex surveys, he gravitated into the Forest Protection Division in Head Office in the early 1960s. He championed the setting up of proper contractual arrangements for aviation and was involved in implementing the first ongoing, organised contracts for firebombing in eastern Victoria in the 1960s. An early recipient of a prestigious Churchill Fellowship, Woody travelled extensively throughout 1969 in North America and Europe studying aviation in forestry and firefighting. Afterwards he was very active amongst the Churchill alumni. Woody had a passion for innovation and new technology and was instrumental in introducing new aircraft types and new approaches for forest firefighting and forest management. Amongst many other things, he played a major role in organising the trial of a RAAF C130 equipped with MAFFS for firebombing in south-eastern Australia in 1982-84, even piloting the lead plane. His inimitable style was crucial in successfully bringing together the cultures of the myriad organisations involved. Con advocated for the introduction of helicopters. He developed aerial fertilising and seeding techniques for forest management. He even managed to get involved in cloud seeding experiments for forest fire suppression and for improving water yield. Along with aviation, Conrad was passionate about literature, football, politics, food, drink, motorbikes, gardening and Glen Iris, to name a few. He was a committed campaigner on social justice issues and for many years read for vision-impaired people on public radio. He died in 2014. This painting of Woody by notable Australian artist Joyce McGrath OAM (also a Churchill Fellow) was done in the 1980s. Joyce asked Conrad to sit for this portrait which she planned to enter the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. The portrait hung in Churchill House in Canberra, but when a new building was erected, it was returned to the artist/owner. The painting is now owned by Clare Harwood and is on permanent loan to the Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA) and is displayed at DEECA's Altona Museum.Painting of Conrad Wood by Australian artist Joyce McGrath OAMbushfire, bushfire aviation