BHS CollectionHandwritten notes on recommendations for cleaning up and signposting Victoria Hill. Also contains list of photos from the Bendigonian of 1899. List of photos: Shamrock Mine, Undershot Water Wheel at Diamond Hill for Phillips Crushing Battery. Mr. Ballerstedt's Crushing Battery at Victoria Hill, Thompson's Foundry at Castlemaine, Machinery made for Bendigo Mines, Air Compressor at Shenandoah Mine, Winding Engine at Koch's Pioneer Mine, Poppet Legs at Koch's Pioneer Mine, Air Compressor at New Chum Railway Mine, Fortune Hustlers G M Co Bendigo View of Mine, Winding Plant and Afternoon Shift and Underground Work in the New Chum Railway. Also mentioned are notes on Machinery made by Thompsons. Also, a carbon copy of Annual Report to Bendigo Branch Royal Historical Society, Victoria 1/7/71. Mentioned in the Report are: Historical Ball, The Central Deborah, Victoria Hill, Tours and Society Business. Albert Richardson document?document, victoria hill, recommendations for victoria hill, north old chum, ballerstedt's rich 24 yard claim, floyds battery lansell's big 180, the bendigonian 26/1/1899, 2/2/1899, 20/4/1899, 11/5/1899, 10/8/1899, 14/9/1899, shamrock mine, undershot waterwheel at diamond hill, phillips crushing battery, mr ballerstedt's crushing battery, thompson's foundry, shenandoah mine, koch's pioneer mine, new chum railway mine, fortuna hustlers g m co bendigo, new chum railway, st mungo lady barkly, catherine reef, new moon, rae's open cut, old court house eaglehawk, police barracks, vic wodetzki, joss house, central deborah, central nell gwynne, mr harold curnow, bendigo branch royal historical society victoria, mrs kingerlee, felicity kingerlee, mr h biggs, city council, rotary club of bendigo south, white hills cemetry, chinese joss house, bendigo pottery, mr derham, reservoir high, princess theatre, a n a hall, mr hattam, col. sprenger, survey corps, a richardson

Various documents relating to the Bendigo and District Tourist Association. Includes Minutes of five meetings of the Board (1970/1971); Notice of AGM 1969; Annual Report 1971; Articles of Association (as amended 14/9/1971); single page headed ''Development of Nell Gwynne and Victoria Hill Sites'' - extensive plans for a 'tourist site with museum, cemetery, chapple (sic), rotunda. Theatre, façade of Charing Cross, a flying-fox from Nell Gwynne to Victoria Hill (no date); Mining Sub-Committee Report and Recommendation (Tourist Development Committee) 1967 re Resolution that ''Quartz Hill'' be developed as a mining tourist attraction (details provided ($75.000 est.); Draft Proposals for Brochure (authored by Miles Lewis, Carlton) - brochure to promote the idea of a museum and tourist development at the Nell Gwynne site; letter to Bendigo businesses re seeking funds for tourist development - Daryl McClure, Hon Sec June 1970.;bendigo, tourism, bendigo and district tourist association

Two (a & b) typed copy of a recommendation for mining project, accepted Nov. 1967. Recommendation for Central Nell Gwynne area, now a public purposes reserve for preservation as a permanent reminder of the gold mining era. Victoria Hill Area mentioned for it's geographical and historical significance. The New Chum Hill area rich in historical and mining. Notes on development of the Central Nell Gwynne, Victoria Hill and New or Old Chum Hill areas. Notes prepared by Albert Richardson.mine, gold, victoria hill, victoria hill, recommendation - mining project, central nell gwynne, jack barker, victoria hill area, big 180, victoria quartz, new chum hill (old chum hill), p. m. g. repeater station, mine's department, land's department, lansell, fortuna, a h q survey regiment, lazarus mine, b c v 8 television studio

Handwritten carbon copy of notes on the Victoria Hill Project. Notes contain recommendations and some history of the area. Notes prepared by Albert Richardson.document, gold, victoria hill, victoria hill, victoria hill project, mr eric wilkinson, wittscheibe's 'jewellers shop', the adventure, luffsman & sterry's, ballerstedt's open cut, j n macartney, bendigo goldfield registry for 1870, australian mining standard june 1st 1899 special edition, gold mine hotel, new chum hill (once known as the south victoria hill), central deborah, albert richardson

Typed notes on the description of the Central Nell Gwynne Mine Area and the Victoria Hill Area. Also mentioned are the Victoria Quartz Mine, Lansell's 'big' 180, Ballerstadt, George Lansell, Adventure and the Cinderalla. Also recommendations for tourist purposes. (2 pages)mine, gold, central nell gwynne mine, central nell gwynne mine, victoria hill, victoria quartz mine, new chum line, lansell's 'big' 180, ballerstadt, george lansell, fortuna, a. h.q. survey regiment, adventure, rae, wittscheibe & co., luffsman & sons, lazarus mine, latham & watson's mine, great extended hustlers

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. This "Fire Finder" was used in Canadian fire towers to identify the location of wildfires. The unique design was first developed by the British Columbia Forest Service (BCFS) in the early 1950s. Close examination of the map indicates that this particular Fire Finder may have been once used at Bluejoint Mountain lookout in Granby Provincial Park. This Fire Finder was a gift to Barry (Rocky) Marsden from the British Columbia Forest Service in the late 1980s in recognition of the close relationships that had been forged with the staff at the Altona Workshops over many decades. Fire Finders were originally painted black but this one was repainted green after it arrived at Altona. The BC Forest Service had a large facility where they manufactured Fire Finders and many other items of equipment, but in the 1980s it was shut down. Heavy cast iron circular object with a paper topographic map mounted on it. The metal dial and ruler works similar to a compass. The sight tube is used to determine the bearing and elevation of the fire on the map. This Fire Finder also sometimes known as an Alidade. Its a different design from the Osborne Fire Finder widely used in North American fire lookouts from the 1920s. British Columbia Forest Service. Model 62A. Serial Number 6308.bushfire

The Victorian School of Forestry (VSF) was established in October 1910 at Creswick. It was located at the former Creswick Hospital, built in 1863 during the gold rush. The creation of VSF was one of the many recommendations of a Royal Commission held between 1897 and 1901 into forest degradation. The first tertiary forestry school in Australia, VSF was administered by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) until 1980, when VSF amalgamated with the University of Melbourne to become that institution's School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences. Over the period from 1910 to 1980, 522 students completed the Diploma of Forestry at VSF.Limited Edition Print number 92 of 200. Framed Print - Hospital and Spring Hill from Church Street, Creswick" by T.G. Moyle, 1881Published by Trustees of Creswick Historical Museum 1981. Gift from Lorraine Carr (wife of Neil Carr ) in 2003 written on label on back

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 victoria (fcv)

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 victoria (fcv)

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 victoria (fcv)

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. This "Fire Finder" was used in Canadian fire towers to identify the location of wildfires. The unique design was first developed by the British Columbia Forest Service (BCFS) in the early 1950s. Close examination of the map indicates that this particular Fire Finder may have been once used at Bluejoint Mountain lookout in Granby Provincial Park. This Fire Finder was a gift to Barry (Rocky) Marsden from the British Columbia Forest Service in the late 1980s in recognition of the close relationships that had been forged with the staff at the Altona Workshops over many decades. Fire Finders were originally painted black but this one was repainted green after it arrived at Altona. The BC Forest Service had a large facility where they manufactured Fire Finders and many other items of equipment, but in the 1980s it was shut down. Heavy cast iron circular object with a paper topographic map mounted on it. The metal dial and ruler works similar to a compass. The sight tube is used to determine the bearing and elevation of the fire on the map. This Fire Finder also sometimes known as an Alidade. Its a different design from the Osborne Fire Finder widely used in North American fire lookouts from the 1920s. British Columbia Forest Service. Model 62A. Serial Number 6308.bushfire

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Radio line controllerDunns Hill and South Morang (fire towers)bushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. Used to communicate to remote fire towers Single wire often run through the bush from FCV district officesFire tower telephone with winderChristmas Hills South Instructions for use around winderbushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)

After the 1939 bushfires, the Forests Commission Victoria invested heavily in a radically new communications network. After suffering some inevitable delays due to the war, radio VL3AA switched into full operation in October 1945 proudly beaming out 200 watts across the State. But by today’s standards, the technology was primitive and the reception poor unless the user was on a high point somewhere. The radio signal was "line-of-sight" and bounced between fire towers and relay transmitters across the mountains back to the District offices. The advent of solid-state electronics in the 1960s replaced the more delicate valve sets which enabled greater use of vehicle mounted radios. The Commission continued to research, develop and build new radios at its many workshops around Victoria. The network was supported by a large team of skilled radio technicians. The more secure and versatile State Mobile Radio (SMR) digital trunk system came into operation in about 1995. Upgraded Tait Radios were purchased in 2014 after recommendations of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. But it was the convergence of separate technologies such as 5G mobile phones, high-capacity and light-weight lithium batteries, Wi-Fi, the ever-expanding internet, cloud data storage, digital cameras, GPS, personal organisers and hundreds of supporting Apps into powerful smartphones and tablets which revolutionised bushfire communications from the mid-2000s. This contraption is thought to have been developed in the FCV radio workshops at Surrey Hills. It's basically a STC vehicle radio which has been mounted on a backpack frame and powered by a heavy lead-acid battery. The backpack frame was manufactured at the Altona fire equipment development centre. A considerable number of these radio units were made and distributed to the field.bushfire, radios, forests commission victoria (fcv)