Photograph of volunteers replanting after Ash Wednesday Fires February 1983mt. macedon, bush fire

Photograph of plants and personnel sorting prior to replanting after Ash Wednesday Firesmt. macedon, bush fire

Photograph of two men unloading plants for replating program Mt Macedon after Ash Wednesday Firesmt. macedon, bush fire

Photograph of group of volunteers picking up trees and shrubs and helping in replanting program in Mt Macedon area after Ash Wednesday fires February 1983mt. macedon, bush fire

Group of volunteers on tree planting exercise after 1983 Ash Wednesday fires Name of group Operation Green Thumb Masonic Task Force Volunteer groups formed work parties to assist in rehabilitation of people and burnt out areas This group came from Sunshine Photographed at Mt Macedon State Schoolmt. macedon, bush fire

cGroup of Telecom workers who received an award for maintaining communications in Lorne during the 1983 Ash Wednesday Fires. Left to Right: S. Rayner; B. Dickinson; B. Floyd; M. Yorke; B. Weller; A. Freametelecomworkers, ash wednesday fires 1983, s.rayner, b.dickinson, b. floyd, m.yorke, b. weller, a.freame, communications, awards

Photograph of seven volunteers freemasons after a job well donemt. macedon, bush fire

Photograph of small trees and shrubs being sorted out by people prior to replantingmt. macedon, bush fire

mt. macedon, bush fire

Black and white photograph of burnt trees after Ash Wednesday fires at Mt Macedonmt. macedon, bush fire

Photograph of Eastern View Hotel promenade deck - hotel later destroyed in Ash Wednesday fireseastern view hotel; a.a. farthing; ash wednesday fires

A 27 page booklet outlining policies adopted by the Shire of Gisbourne for rebuilding the local community after the 1983 bush fires. The cream pages have sepia photographs throughout the booklet of a variety of buildings and sites throughout the area that were affected by the fires.non-fictionA booklet outlining the policy guidelines adopted by Shire of Gisborne Council to rebuild the community after the 1983 bushfires.mt. macedon, macedon ranges, ash wednesday fires, bush fires

Newspaper Article Macedon Ranges Telegraph 1 May 1984 3000 trees planted Macedon Woodend in Operation Greenthumb|Letterhead with Operation Greenthumb Restoring Ash Wednesday Gardens Apex Lions Task Force Masonic Rotary The Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria|Typed Instruction to Team leaders and members regarding Operation Greenthumb|Hand written minutes for 3 September 1984|Newsletter Mount Macedon and District Historical Society Operation Greenthumb 1984|Newspaper Article Operation Greenthumb Pic shows volunteers unloading trees for sorting at the State Nursery in Macedon|Newspaper Article Operation Greenthumb Projct Starts Essendon Gazette 25 april 1984|Newspaper Article Essendon Gazette 11 April 1984 Operation Greenthumb Big Job for Masons|Newspaper Article Broadmeadows Observer 11 April 1984 Gearing for Operation Greenfinger|Newspaper Article The Advocate 18 May 1984 Western planters move on Macedon|Newspaper Article Operation Green Thumb boosts bushfire areas|Newspaper Article Sunbury Regional News 17 April 1984 Gearing for Operation Greenfinger|Newspaper Article Sunbury Regional News 8 May 1984 Operation Green Thumb boosts bushfire areas|Newspaper Article Bendigo Advertiser 7 January 1984 The Chnaging face of Mt Macedon|Type written minutes 16 April 1984|Hand written minutes|Flora suitable for Operation Greenthumb|Hand written notes|Newspaper Article Facelift for fire gardens|Payment voucher No 269010 to D Templeton dated 2 May 1984|Newspaper Article SEC fire payout $30M so far|Photos 1 Operation Greenthumb Macedon April 27 1984 Jack McKenzie on Truck John Brereton David Templeton Col Devereaux Don McQueen Macedon Nursery|Photograph 2 Jack Mckenzie Macedon Nursery April 1984 Greenthumb|Photograph 3 7.15am April 28 1984 Macedon Greenthumb Glad Templeton|Certificate from Melba Centre supporters Club to CD Templeton for the Intellectually handicappedapex

Coloured photograph of a dust storm over Mitcham in February 1983, on the day before the Ash Wednesday fires.dust storm, mitcham

Photograph of young trees and shrubs supplied by various councils for planting after Ash Wednesday Fires 1983mt. macedon, bush fire

In the post-war era from 1947 to the mid-1980s, the Forests Commission sponsored Australia's only military sawmilling unit, the 91 Forestry Squadron. It was a special reserve unit of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). Established and commanded by Commission forester and WW2 veteran, Major Ben Benallack, the "Woodpeckers" as they were known comprised a small pool of specialised soldiers capable of rapid mobilisation in the event of need. Several other Victorian departments such as the State Electricity Commission (SEC) did the same thing who supported a construction squadron based at Newborough in the Latrobe Valley. The scheme created a very active and capable part-time military group that completed many worthy projects across the State. In addition to their military training, the Woodpeckers operated bush sawmills, built timber bridges along the Murray River, the Snake Island Jetty, forest roads and performed various demolition tasks. Presentation plaque from the "Woodpeckers" Mounted on polished wooden burl The timber burl was cut from a Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate) salvaged in Wonga Wonga after the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires.From the Woodpeckers RAE Association in recognition of the sponsorship of the Forests Commission, Victoria, for 91 Forestry Squadron RAE CMF (SR)forests commission victoria (fcv)

Police motorbike riding through a bushfire zone between Cockatoo and Belgrave around the time of the Ash Wednesday fires. In the background is a signpost that has been relatively untouched but melted into a twisted shape by the heat of the fire. Circa 1983.police vehicles; motor transport branch; motor transport section; wireless patrol; motor cycle patrol; police motorcycles

3 cups and 1 jug, ceramic, badly blackened and crazed from Ash Wednesday fires. Floral design with gilt decoration to tops of jug and cups. Jug has moulded border to top and base - all with ornate scrolled handles.Makers mark on base.crockery, ash wednesday, bushfires

This is a booklet written by Jack Rooke about his life. Born in 1910 Jack Rooke faced early the challenges of living in the bush in the Camperdown and Panmure areas. He describes the difficulties of the small farmer and the tough living conditions. He also records the struggle to survive during the Depression years in the 1930s and his heartache after his farm was burnt out in the Ash Wednesday fires. Rooke’s story mirrors that of many settlers in the Western District in the early to mid 20th century and so he has produced an important social history in a simple but compelling manner. This booklet is of considerable importance as it gives the details of the life of one person facing the challenges of living in the bush in the district around Warrnambool in the 20th century. It is a simple but great social history that should be read by the younger generation today.This is a soft cover book of 40 pages. It has been self-published and home-produced with a buff-coloured cover and a plastic overlay. The cover has a black and white illustration. The pages contain some sketches and black and white photographs. early 20th century settlement in the warrnambool district, history of warrnambool, jack rooke, camperdown, panmure

Nancy Hawley requested one of a pair come to the Emerald Museum . It was brought back from Japan by a friend of Noni Smith after World War 2. Noni Smith was Mr Murphy's nurse for many years Noni died at the age of 90 years . She was principal of Emerald Primary School. She was very involved with the recovery after Ash Wednesday 1983 firesJapanese Incense Burner Circa early 19th centuryFloral Bowl with Figured Legs and Topjapanese insense burner

A photo of Badge Day in the 1960s, with Ivan Layton, Mrs Mack and Legatee Bert Davis counting the donations near a Legacy Appeal tin. Ivan Layton was the Chief Executive Officer for many years. Legatee Bert Davis was the Chief Financial Officer in the early sixties. Mrs Mack was a generous fundraiser. She lived at Mount Macedon and opened her beautiful garden to the public on a regular basis to assist Legacy with fundraising. She was given a Legacy lone pine tree by a grateful Legacy to add to her garden. The letter accompanying the photo said the garden and tree was lost in the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983. Further research shows that Mrs Margaret Mack and her husband Mr John D. (Jack) Mack first opened their garden at Dreamthorpe, Mt Macedon, in April 1950 for a garden fete. It raised £140 for Legacy (source: Trove). The exact date of the photo is unknown but would be early 1960s. Photo donated by Legatee Bert Davis' daughters.An excellent record of important people in Legacy's history.Black and white photo of Ivan Layton, Mrs Mack and Legatee Bert Davis on Badge Day.badge day, ivan layton, bert davis

Robert Ulmann was born in Zurich, Switzerland, where he studied sculpture and painting, exhibiting annually with the National Art Society of Switzerland and in Paris, Munich and Stockholm. He migrated to Canada in 1956 and became a Canadian citizen. After working on the restoration of sculpture on the west wing of the Parliament Buildings Ottawa, he took up a Government appointment as one of six artist advisers to the Eskimos, initiating handicraft and sculpture programs in isolated settlements across the Central Arctic. He arrived in Australia with his Australian wife, Helen, in 1969, after two adventurous years backpacking and sketching through the United States, Central and South America and the South Pacific. From 1970 to 1972 he was employed by the Northern Territory Administration as a manual arts instructor to the aboriginal people of Docker River, a remote settlement west of Ayers Rock. A series of drawings from this period was exhibited by the Department of the Interior in Canberra, Sydney and Adelaide. Robert Ulmann’s paintings and prints of wildlife from Australia and overseas fill a beautiful studio overlooking the famous Logans Beach whale nursery at Warrnambool in the Western District of Victoria. His previous studio and home, together with 13 years of field sketches and his best work collected together for two books were destroyed by the Ash Wednesday fires at Naringal in 1983. Rob exhibited in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth as well as in the Regional Galleries of Warrnambool, Ballarat, Portland and Horsham, and, among numerous prizes, he won the award for watercolour at six of the annual exhibitions of the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia, between 1978 and 1983. Although his principal interest was in drawing and painting, he retained a fascination with sculpture. His works range from two stone fountains with figures commissioned by the City of Zurich, while he was still a student, to a 4 ½ ton sculpture in bluestone commissioned in 1977 as a memorial to Sir Fletcher Jones., a five metre representation of whale tails in steel, and a life-size bronze of St. John of God commissioned for a private hospital.Image of a goat beginning to rise from a seated position, possible struggling out of mud. Painted in yellow and brown tones, with blue shadows. Earth colours form a rough ground area surrounding the goat. A brown wash provides a cursory background behind the goat's head. Dark cream matt surrounds image. Gold painted wooden frame, with glass.Front: Robert Ulmann (lower centre, paint) Back: (no inscriptions)

Events and information concerning the 10th Eltham Community Festival held 16-18 November, 1984 [Photo of Keir Baker of Research Primary School] On the reverse (page 1) Fireman officially honoured, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, October 23, 1984, p1 Opening of the Panton Hill Firemen's Memorial Park by the Member for Evelyn, Mr Max McDonald on Sunday 21 October, 1984 in memory of the five firemen who lost their lives on Ash Wednesday (1983) fighting the fire at Upper Beaconsfield - Maurie Atkinson, Stuart Duff, Neville Jeffrey, Bill Marsden and Peter Singleton [Photo of the memorial and Mr Max McDonald]]Newsprint1984, apex club, eltham community festival, eltham festival, eltham jazz festival, eltham living and learning centre, eltham rotary, eltham service club, eltham town park, grand parade, jaycees, keir baker, lions club eltham, main road, phoenix club, research primary school, ash wednesday, bill marsden, cal martin, diamond valley big band, evelyn, maurie atkinson, max mcdonald mp, neville jeffrey, panton hill firemen's memorial park, peter singleton, stuart duff, victorian bushfires - 1983

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Mary Tolhurst member of the Melton & District Historical Society in the Melton and Moorabool Leader local identities, local special interest groups