A black and white photograph taken of the collection of pulpwood after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. The Black Friday bushfires on January 13, 1939 were one of the worst natural disasters in Australian history, burning nearly two million hectares across Victoria and claiming 71 lives.A black and white photograph taken of the collection of pulpwood after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires.Pulpwood after '39 fires 01marysville, victoria, australia, 1939 black friday bushfires, pulpwood, photograph

A black and white photograph taken of a pulpwood harvest that was carried out after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. The Black Friday bushfires on January 13th 1939 were one of the worst natural disasters in Australian history, burning nearly two million hectares across Victoria and claiming 71 lives.A black and white photograph taken of a pulpwood harvest that was carried out after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires.pulpwood harvest/ post 1939 fires 554marysville, victoria, australia, 1939 black friday bushfires, pulpwood, photograph

A page from a calendar with a black and white photograph taken at the Anderson No. 2 Mill at Marysville. The mill was rebuilt after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires.A page from a calendar with a black and white photograph taken at the Anderson No. 2 Mill at Marysville."Anderson No 2 Mill at Marysville, rebuilt after 1939 fires. Note how straight the timber was stacked, by hand!"marysville, victoria, australia, 1939 black friday bushfires, calendar, photograph, andersons no. 1 mill, andersons no. 2 mill

A photocopy of a newspaper photograph taken after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires destroyed the Anderson's No. 1 Mill near Marysville. The women and children were sent to Marysville for safety and 32 men were trapped at the mine. All survived and this photograph is of the reunion.A photocopy of a newspaper photograph taken after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires destroyed the Anderson's No. 1 Mill near Marysville.marysville, victoria, australia, anderson's no. 1 mill, 1939 black friday bushfires, newspaper photograph, sun news-pictorial

A copy of a black and white photograph of Anderson's No. 2 Mill employees. Anderson's No. 1 Mill was first established in the mid 1930s but was destroyed in the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. It was then rebuilt and named the Anderson's No. 2 Mill. The original photograph was taken, possibly, in the early 1940s.A copy of a black and white photograph of Anderson's No. 2 Mill employees.ANDERSON Mill Employees/ Early 40's??marysville, victoria, australia, anderson no. 1 sawmill, anderson no. 2 sawmill, photograph, 1939 black friday bushfires

A black and white photograph taken on Lake Mountain of timber collected after the 1939 bushfires. The Black Friday bushfires on January 13th, 1939 were one of the worst natural disasters in Australian history, burning nearly two million hectares across Victoria and claiming 71 lives.A black and white photograph taken on Lake Mountain of timber collected after the 1939 bushfires. After the 39 Fires/ Lake Mountain 7 18marysville, victoria, australia, lake mountain, 1939 black friday bushfires, photograph

A copy of a black and white photograph taken at Feiglin's Sawmill near Marysville in Victoria. Feiglin's Sawmill (later the Narbethong Timber & Trading Co.) was a cornerstone of the regional timber industry on the Acheron Way in Narbethong, just outside Marysville. Following the devastating 1939 Black Friday bushfires, sawmill owners expanded into the region to salvage dead timber. Feiglin's was established in the Acheron Valley, employing local mill workers who lived in a small settlement of four-room cottages on Withers Lane.A copy of a black and white photograph taken at Feiglin's Sawmill near Marysville in Victoria.marysville, victoria, australia, narbethong, feiglin's sawmill, archeron way, 1939 black friday bushfires, acheron valley, narbethong timber & trading co., 2009 black saturday bushfires, mr. j. feiglin, photograph

85 p.; 22 cmnon-fictionA history of the Black Friday Fires 13th February 1939 covering all the fires within Victoriablack friday bushfires, saxton's mill, hugh mckinnon

Ena Sophia Jarvis, nee Morant 1914-2004 migrated with her family from England and arrived in Eltham about 1938. Ena helped establish Eltham's first kindergarten and worked as an assistant and volunteer at Eltham Pre School for many years through to the early 1990s. Contents: Newspaper article; Tale of old Eltham - with characters, by Linley Hartley, green valley, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, June 14, 1983, p33 (article featuring tales from sisters Joyce Webb and Ena Jarvis) Photocopy of photo in mount; Ena Jarvis with her dog in garden circa 1983 Newspaper article; Ena celebrates 30 years, by Sally McDonnell, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, April 15, 1986, p14 Newspaper article; Preschool says thanks, Diamond Valley Leader, January 8, 2003, p7 Folder of brief biography, newspaper clippings and funeral readings ena jarvis, morant family, eltham pre school, joyce webb, eltham high school, tony morant, market gardener, brisbane street, eltham, arthur munday, mrs morrison, danila vassilieff, black friday, victorian bushfires - 1939, clarrie hurst, st margaret's church, st margaret's anglican church, eltham kindergarten, burgoyne grocery store, john harcourt, fay harcourt, geoff webb, eltham war memorial, eltham war memorial trust

Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by second day had spread on to a 150 mile front fromDaylesford and Kinglake through to the Dandenongs. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Ninka Road, St. Andrews, Kinglake, Hurstbridge on page 2 • Fires Blazing on 150M. Arc: "Need a Miracle", p1 (Illust.) – Victoria’s worst bushfire day since “Black Friday,” 1939 • Night dash as bushfire sweeps by, p2 (Illust.) • Kalorama Saved: Fire 100 Ft. Away, p2 • Stay away, says police chief, p2 • The Tragedy of the Fires, p3 (Illust.) • Good save by firemen, p4 (Illust.) • S.E.C. Firemen Saved N. Yallourn, p4 • Cherry river of flame, p4 • From the fire front: Fire-fighters are bitten by snakes, p4 • They faced the fury, p6 (Illust.) • The ’39 Blaze, p6 • They fought and failed, p6 • Hills Aflame: 2nd Day, pp16-17 (Illust.) • Respite at Olinda HQ, p16 (Illust.) • Here is Ruin, p17 (Illust.) • This fireman had to work among piled up furniture … p32 (Illust.) tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, black friday, victorian bushfires – 1939, c.h. howe, daylesford, country fire authority, dandenongs, yallourn, central gippsland, montrose, olinda, kalorama, healesville, st. andrews, hurstbridge, ninka road, kinglake, yarra glen, a.l. mccutcheon, st. andrews postmaster, eltham shire secretary, max watson, police commissioner porter, observatory road, mt. dandenong, whittlesea, one tree hill, sassafras, the basin, steel’s creek, ruby ryan, the basin progress hall, yaallourn, yallourn north, stet electricity commission (s.e.c.), hernes oak, mcdonalds track, florence milkins, lieutenant-colonel k. leggett, bonza view road, ringwood police station, michael o’connor, volunteers, fire damage - buildings

Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by the third day had encompassed large areas of the State. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Warrandyte on page 1, St. Andrews and Smith’s Gully on page 2, St. Andrews on page 3 and 43, Panton Hill and Warrandyte on p23 and Hurstbridge on page 44 • It's Now Safe in Fire Areas; Death Toll Reaches 8, p1 (Illust.) • How they died, pp1-2 • It was “heaven” in the bush … Boys stayed on . . . to die, pp1-2 (Illust.) • Towns take stock as danger drops, p2 • £5400 to the relief fund, p2 • Fire now threat to Otways, p2 • Pensioners lose all, p2 • “…If Only The Rain Had Come” … and then it came to town, p3 (Illust.) • Our best rain since May • It halted at Grandma’s front gate, p5 (Illust.) • Now that the rain has come; It’s time for the clean-up, p6 • Wisps of smoke where flames danced, p7 • Charitry’s a loser, p7 • War Service homes claim, p7 • Help’s on way, p7 (Illust.) • Came with their gifts …, p7 • Fire summons for youth; “sparked the rest”, p9 • Three gaoled, p9 • They had to camp out at Wye River, p9 (Illust.) • “Probe Fires” – Stoneham, p9 • The Fourth Day: Scorched Earth!, pp22-23 (Illust.) • This home was saved but - , p22 (Illust.) • Relief Centre, p23 (Illust.) • Homeless, p23 (Illust.) • So little was left, p43 (Illust.) • Tommy saved his cat, p43 (Illust.) • Some were lucky … and some were tired, p44 (Illust.) tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, ronald ockwell, geoffrey ockwell, woori yallock, william ockwell, leslie ockwell, linda may ockwell, black friday, victorian bushfires – 1939, warrandyte, arthur brown, harold vernon betton, bloom road, william smith, olinda, bushfire relief fund, yarra glen, healesville, railway line, st. andrews, smith’s gully, otway ranges, eric watts, edith varty, inverness road, mt. evelyn, wye river, panton hil, heather sullivan, warrandyte hall, montrose, kalorama, mrs e. tucker, shirley tucker, margaret tucker, joane tucker, roger tucker, trevor tucker, ann quinton, tom dunstan, hurstbridge hall

Black and white postcard of Bulmers shop taken during the Black Friday bushfires showing businesses almost hidden in dense smoke from nearby fires Esplanade Lakes Entrance Victoriabusinesses, township, bushfires

The 2003 bushfires caused by a lightning strikes on 8th January 2003. 87 fires were ignited 8 of which would join to form the largest fire in Victoria since the 1939 Black Friday bushfires, burning through 60% of the Alpine National Park. Ref. The Mountain Journal. Scientific research was used to test new methods during construction.These fires were close to Bogong village and Mt Beauty. The photos were displayed in the Mountain Monk Hotel, Mt Beauty which was the original SEC Working Mens Club during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Scientific research was used to create new improved methods during construction. Framed photos (1-3) of the 2003 bushfires at Bogong village and Photos (4-11) with titles involving scientific work by the SECV. 1-3 2003 Bogong Complex Fires at Moncrieffs Gap 4. Phasmid Eggs 5. Insect cages 6. Spraying Bitumen 7. Grass grown after spray 8. "Finn" method 9. Erosion raceline bank 10. "Finn" treatment 11. Machine spraying grass seed2003 bushfires, moncrieffs gap

South Warrandyte State School was destroyed in the Black Friday bushfire of 13 Jan. 1939. Whilst a new school building was being constructed, classes were conducted in a tent as seen in this image from 'The Age" of Mr William Everard, M.L.A.delivering his 22nd annual Arbor Day address to children of the school on 30 June 1939. Mr Everard returned on October 7 to officially open the new school.south warrandyte state school, william h. everard, arbor day, black friday

Weatherboard house with cast ironwork decoration on the verandah. Three women, two men and four children with rocking horse stand for a photograph. Family unknown. Yarra Brae Park was situated on Yarra Brae Road, off Sweeneys Lane, Eltham. Research in historical newspapers reveals that the Hautrive family lived there 1904-1906, followed by the Bindoon family in 1907. In the 1930s it was occupied by Hubert Rutter, his wife Beulah and four children. Hubert was an Eltham Shire Councillor. On 13 January 1939, the house burned down in the Black Friday bushfires. After the fire, the family relocated to Toorak. Reproduced on p91 of 'Pioneers & Painters'This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Sepia postcard and B&W printsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, yarra brae park, verandah, cast iron work, hautrive family, bindoon family, rutter family, pioneers and painters, houses, groups

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)

This is a photograph taken in the Chiltern - Mount Pilot National Park near Chiltern in Victoria. On this day, the Wooragee Landcare Group was in the national park looking for signs of the tiger quoll. Tiger quolls can be found in few places with the Chiltern - Mount Pilot National Park being one of them. This photograph is of a tiger quoll nesting site as tiger quolls often nest between large rocks. This image also shows the damage caused by the 2003 bushfires. These bushfires happened at the same time as the 2003 Alpine bushfires. This bushfire started by lightning and quickly became the largest fire in Victoria since the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. The Alpine bushfires destroyed 1.3 million hectares and burnt for 59 days before it could be controlled. The 2003 bushfires severely damaged the environment and concern was raised about the safety of tiger quoll. This photograph displays how the nesting site was damaged by the fire. This meant that the quoll itself could have also been impacted by the fire. Hence why the Wooragee Landcare group went for a search for signs of the quoll.This photograph is significant because it shows a tiger quoll nesting site. Tiger quolls are a highly valuable species because they live in very few places. This, in turn, makes their nesting site valuable. This photograph also signifies the impact of the 2003 bushfires on the Chiltern - Mount Pilot National Park. The image displays burnt trees which makes it clear that the fire was deeply damaging. The fallen log over the nesting site demonstrates how the bushfire must of put the tiger quolls at risk because of how the fire damaged their nesting site. Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paperReverse: WAN NA 0ANA0N0 NNN+ 1 1636 / [PRINTED] (No.9) / 923bushfires, mount pilot chiltern national park, mount pilot, chiltern, victoria, wooragee landcare group, wooragee landcare, wooragee, national park, tiger quoll, 2003 bushfires, beechworth, rocks, nesting site, photograph, 2003 alpine bushfires, 1939 black friday, 2003, hectares, fire, damage, burnt, burn

Contents: • Next meeting, Slide Presentation by Anne Paul; The Lower Plenty River; It’s history and heritage • May Meeting • May Heritage Walk • Black Saturday Bushfires • Black Friday 1851 • Eltham England Contacts • Office Bearers 2009-10 • Harry Gilham, Society President 1993-2009 • Subscriptions • Other News The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

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)

Beatrice Wanliss Irvine was the daughter of former Victorian Premier Sir William Irvine. From age 13 she lived at “Killeavey” off Laughing Waters Road (later accessed from Reynolds Road). In 1923 she married James Morrison and the couple received Killeavey as a wedding gift. The property supported fruit and vegetable growing as well as an impressive botanical garden. But James died in 1936 after a period of ill health, leaving Beatrice to support their six children. The Killeavey house was built atop a cliff, 40 metres above the Yarra River. The garden was designed in 1910 by William Guilfoyle who was the second director of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The house was totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939, but was rebuilt. Beatrice continued to live at Killeavey and became well regarded as a botanist and naturalist. She died in 1989 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her husband and one of their sons. The (rebuilt) house was demolished by Parks Victoria. It contains significant garden remnants. The surrounding bushland is valued for its significant plant communities.fay bridge collection, 2004-06-28, beatrice wanliss morrison (nee irvine), eltham, james morrison, killeavey, laughing waters road, william irvine

Beatrice Wanliss Irvine was the daughter of former Victorian Premier Sir William Irvine. From age 13 she lived at “Killeavey” off Laughing Waters Road (later accessed from Reynolds Road). In 1923 she married James Morrison and the couple received Killeavey as a wedding gift. The property supported fruit and vegetable growing as well as an impressive botanical garden. But James died in 1936 after a period of ill health, leaving Beatrice to support their six children. The Killeavey house was built atop a cliff, 40 metres above the Yarra River. The garden was designed in 1910 by William Guilfoyle who was the second director of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The house was totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939, but was rebuilt. Beatrice continued to live at Killeavey and became well regarded as a botanist and naturalist. She died in 1989 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her husband and one of their sons. The (rebuilt) house was demolished by Parks Victoria. It contains significant garden remnants. The surrounding bushland is valued for its significant plant communities.fay bridge collection, beatrice wanliss morrison (nee irvine), eltham, james morrison, killeavey, laughing waters road, william irvine, 2019-08-30

Beatrice Wanliss Irvine was the daughter of former Victorian Premier Sir William Irvine. From age 13 she lived at “Killeavey” off Laughing Waters Road (later accessed from Reynolds Road). In 1923 she married James Morrison and the couple received Killeavey as a wedding gift. The property supported fruit and vegetable growing as well as an impressive botanical garden. But James died in 1936 after a period of ill health, leaving Beatrice to support their six children. The Killeavey house was built atop a cliff, 40 metres above the Yarra River. The garden was designed in 1910 by William Guilfoyle who was the second director of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The house was totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939, but was rebuilt. Beatrice continued to live at Killeavey and became well regarded as a botanist and naturalist. She died in 1989 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her husband and one of their sons. The (rebuilt) house was demolished by Parks Victoria. It contains significant garden remnants. The surrounding bushland is valued for its significant plant communities.fay bridge collection, beatrice wanliss morrison (nee irvine), eltham, james morrison, killeavey, laughing waters road, william irvine, 2019-10-27

Beatrice Wanliss Irvine was the daughter of former Victorian Premier Sir William Irvine. From age 13 she lived at “Killeavey” off Laughing Waters Road (later accessed from Reynolds Road). In 1923 she married James Morrison and the couple received Killeavey as a wedding gift. The property supported fruit and vegetable growing as well as an impressive botanical garden. But James died in 1936 after a period of ill health, leaving Beatrice to support their six children. The Killeavey house was built atop a cliff, 40 metres above the Yarra River. The garden was designed in 1910 by William Guilfoyle who was the second director of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The house was totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939, but was rebuilt. Beatrice continued to live at Killeavey and became well regarded as a botanist and naturalist. She died in 1989 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her husband and one of their sons. The (rebuilt) house was demolished by Parks Victoria. It contains significant garden remnants. The surrounding bushland is valued for its significant plant communities.fay bridge collection, beatrice wanliss morrison (nee irvine), eltham, james morrison, killeavey, laughing waters road, william irvine, new zealand oak

Beatrice Wanliss Irvine was the daughter of former Victorian Premier Sir William Irvine. From age 13 she lived at “Killeavey” off Laughing Waters Road (later accessed from Reynolds Road). In 1923 she married James Morrison and the couple received Killeavey as a wedding gift. The property supported fruit and vegetable growing as well as an impressive botanical garden. But James died in 1936 after a period of ill health, leaving Beatrice to support their six children. The Killeavey house was built atop a cliff, 40 metres above the Yarra River. The garden was designed in 1910 by William Guilfoyle who was the second director of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The house was totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939, but was rebuilt. Beatrice continued to live at Killeavey and became well regarded as a botanist and naturalist. She died in 1989 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her husband and one of their sons. The (rebuilt) house was demolished by Parks Victoria. It contains significant garden remnants. The surrounding bushland is valued for its significant plant communities.fay bridge collection, beatrice wanliss morrison (nee irvine), eltham, james morrison, killeavey, laughing waters road, william irvine, new zealand oak, fay bridge

Lemonade, Non-alcoholic Hop Beer and milk bottlkes recovered from Killeavey give an insight into the types of drinks consumed by the Morrison family. Beatrice Wanliss Irvine was the daughter of former Victorian Premier Sir William Irvine. From age 13 she lived at “Killeavey” off Laughing Waters Road (later accessed from Reynolds Road). In 1923 she married James Morrison and the couple received Killeavey as a wedding gift. The property supported fruit and vegetable growing as well as an impressive botanical garden. But James died in 1936 after a period of ill health, leaving Beatrice to support their six children. The Killeavey house was built atop a cliff, 40 metres above the Yarra River. The garden was designed in 1910 by William Guilfoyle who was the second director of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The house was totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939, but was rebuilt. Beatrice continued to live at Killeavey and became well regarded as a botanist and naturalist. She died in 1989 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her husband and one of their sons. The (rebuilt) house was demolished by Parks Victoria. It contains significant garden remnants. The surrounding bushland is valued for its significant plant communities.fay bridge collection, beatrice wanliss morrison (nee irvine), eltham, james morrison, killeavey, laughing waters road, william irvine, bennett lemonade, bottles, milk bottle, o'neill bros north fitzroy, r. harrison, r. harrisons hop beer

NILLUMBIK SHIRE COUNCIL ORAL HISTORY PROJECT Interview: Doug Orford Date: Tuesday 19 March 2024 Place of Interview: Aurrum Aged Care in Plenty Interviewer: Katherine Sheedy; Way Back When Consulting Historians In 2023 Nillumbik Shire Council agreed to support two Oral History projects associated with local history groups within the shire. One project was training sessions for group members on undertaking oral history recordings, which occurred in November 2023. The other project involved a professional historian recording two selected history group members, which occurred in March 2024. The interviews were undertaken by Katherine Sheedy of Way Back When Consulting Historians. Doug Orford, whose family first came to Eltham in about 1853, was born in Eltham in August 1929. Doug recalled his family’s connection to the area, starting with his grandfather in 1853, getting to school, growing up on an 18-acre block, working on the orchard, his father’s horse and cart, shops, deliveries, the war and rationing, Black Friday bushfires in 1939, and a little bit about establishing the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, later Eltham District Historical Society, of which he was a life member. Sadly Doug passed away just four months after his interview, in July 2024.audio recording, doug orford, eltham, eltham district historical society, oral history

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

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