The local Bulla CFA were invited to come to the Bulla Primary School and talk to the children about the importance of their task in the area. Jack McKenzie is showing the little girl how to hold the fire hose. Jack McKenzie was a local Bulla resident and a CFA volunteer for many years. Sadly he passed away in mid 2022.A non-digital coloured photograph of two fireman and two girls at the rear of a fire truck. One of the men is showing a girl how to hold a fire hose.bulla cfa, cfa volunteers, bulla primary school, jack mckenzie

framed picture of the CFA Volunteer code of conductcode of conduct

The spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products. Ltd. in 1926. They established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks. Knapsacks were quickly adapted to a range of applications and were widely used by the C.F.A (Country Fire Authority). They were also widely used for defence during World War II. REGA was later purchased by the Garrard family and still operate as part of Garrads Pty Ltd. This sprayer was one of the units used by the C.F. A. in Wodonga. The Country FIre Authority was established in 1945 following a Royal Commission into the 1939 Black Friday fires which recommended a single firefighting authority for country Victoria, bringing together the Bush Fire Brigades, Country Fire Brigades and Forest Commission. The first fire brigade, the Wodonga Urban Fire Brigade was formed in 1891 and registered in May 1893. Since that time its volunteers have provided ongoing support to the Wodonga and District communities through events such as urban fires, bushfires and other emergency situations. This item is representative of the Wodonga Country Fire Authority and its many volunteers.A knapsack sprayer designed to be used for spraying insects. The unit includes brass fittings, leather straps and a spray arm and nozzle attached. It was also adapted to be widely used by firefighters.On front: REGA / C.F.A. Around lid: REGA SPRAYERSrega sprayers, cfa region 24, cfa volunteers, cfa wodonga, wodonga urban fire brigade, fire fighting equipment

Then local CFA were invited to speak to the students at Bulla Primary School in the 1990s. During the visit the firemen explained the workings of the fire trucks and necessary fire precaution measures.It is important that the children have an awareness of the importance of the local CFA Group as well as understanding the importance of fire precaution measures. Visits from the local CFA help to spread these important messages.A non-digital coloured photograph of a fireman standing behind a fire cart and talking to a group of children while another fireman looks on. country fire authority, fire trucks, cfa volunteers, bulla primary school

The memorial was erected in August 2000, and the design represents an eternal flame.Colour photograph of the memorial on the Glenelg Highway at the Ballarat-end entrance to Linton. The monument commemorates the five firefighters who died in a bushfire near Linton in December 1998.memorials, monuments, firefighters, cfa volunteers, linton bushfire 1998

A publication by the CFA giving detailed information, images, maps and photographs about the bush fires which blazed across Victoria and southern New South Wales from November 2019 until brought under control in February 2020.non-fictionThe 2019 - 2020 fire season, which became known as "Black SUmmer" was long and difficult for the CFA, emergency services and communities across the eastern seaboard of Australia, especially in northeastern and eastern Victoria. By its conclusion more than 8,200 CFA volunteers had contributed to the fire response in Victoria and another 2,288 CFA volunteers had been deployed interstate. THe bushfires burned 1.5 million hectares, destroyed more than 400 homes, 6,800 livestock and thousands of native animals. Tragically 5 people also lost their lives. The fires took their toll physically and psychologically.This book provides an insight into the challenges faced by so many in their efforts to protect communities and was produced as part of the recovery process from this horrific event.black summer bushfires, cfa volunteers, bushfires australia

Some CFA volunteers were invited to the Bulla Primary School to explain to the students the workings of the fire truck and the importance of the CFA organisation.A coloured photograph of a CFA fire truck.bulla cfa, fire trucks, bulla primary school

Front cover has a photograph taken on Black Saturday by Alex Coppel from the Sunday Herald Sun; smoke from Black Saturday fires turns day into night as CFA volunteers race towards a new firefront at Labertouche. There is also a banner across the top of the front cover that says 'All proceeds from this book go to the Salvation Army Victorian Bushfire Appeal. non-fictionStories of love, loss and courage from the Victorian bushfires on Black Saturdaybushfire, black saturday, victoria, kilmore east, wandong, strathewen, kinglake west, st andrews, steels creek, kinglake, flowerdale, marysville, gippsland, bendigo, beechworth, medgegonga

Located at 909 Main Road, Eltham. Opened 7 October 1966 Eltham's Fire Stations by Peter Pidgeon Article published EDHS Newsletter No.287 April 2026 Where was Eltham’s first fire station and how many have there been? Following the formation of the Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade in March 1926, firefighting equipment was initially housed in a shed on Captain H. Warren’s property. A more permanent solution was required. In May 1927 a proposal was made to build a fire station and meeting hall at the corner of Luck Street and Main Road where the present railway station carpark is located. An application was approved by Council in September to build the fire station consisting of a galvanised iron shed on the land in Luck Street, However, in April 1928 when E.O. Egan, Secretary, Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade sought permission to erect a fire station on the continuation of Luck Street, Council advised they had no power to act on this as they did not own the land. Cr. Ernie Andrew offered to loan a site on his own land in Arthur Street (where the entrance to the carpark under Woolworths is situated) and by September 1928 the new fire station was being erected consisting of a building to house the reel and other equipment as well as a meeting room. It was constructed with a concrete floor and painted. A purpose-built cupboard had been constructed for the hose by local carpenter, Mr. Fraser and Mr. Frank Jones arranged for electric lighting to be installed. Many donations were made by the community to assist in paying off the debt on the station. The first meeting in the new fire station was held November 12, 1928, with a large attendance of members. The official opening was to be held in the New Year on January 8, 1929. In February 1930, Eltham Council agreed to place the Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade under the control of the Country Fire Brigades’ Board. Further discussions were held in May regarding their area of responsibility to cover as well as questions about a suitable block of land and relocation of the brigade’s buildings. In August 1930, the Chief Officer of Country Fire Board visited Council to select a suitable site. He did not approve of any that Council suggested but encouraged Council to buy land for the purpose. Enquiries were made about a block in Henry Street adjacent to the Public Hall which the Chief Officer favoured. Cr Price investigated and learned the block could be purchased, £10 would secure it if the people of Eltham were willing to raise a further £30-40. All were in favour of proceeding. By February 1931, £40 had been raised by the community, in addition to £20 added by Council and £20 by the Fire Brigades’ Board making £80 total to purchase the site. Several working bees were held between May and July 1931 to level the ground in preparation for relocation of the station building from Arthur Street to the new site in Henry Street. It was not long before the Henry Street site had proven to be not all that was desired. Access to the Henry Street site from Main Road was steep and not suited for man handling a heavy hose reel. By November 1933 the Country Fire Brigades’ Board advised it was considering the matter of a new cation and fire station for Eltham. On February 23, 1934, the Advertiser reported a new Fire Station was to be built on an alternate site at a cost of £600. In August, the Country Fire Brigades’ Board notified it intended to build a new fire station at no cost to Eltham if the brigade could purchase a block of land. An appeal was established by the brigade to raise funds for the purchase of the new site between the residence and confectionery shop owned by Mr. G.H. Browne and Ryan Bros. butchers on the eastern side of Main Road between Arthur and Dudley streets. An inspection of the site by the Chief Officer of Country Fire Brigades' Board was undertaken September 28. It was directed that tenders for the erection of the building were to be called immediately and construction to start the next month. By New Year 1935 the erection of the third station building was well in progress and was completed by mid-February. The station was officially opened April 26, 1935, and a new 35 feet high bell tower was erected in December 1935. This fire station, the third erected in six years, served the community for the next thirty years. In 1962, land for a new (fourth) Eltham Fire Station on the opposite (western) side of Main Road was acquired from the Eltham War Memorial Trust. The new station was opened October 7, 1966. In 1970 the former fire station building on the eastern side of Main Road was relocated to Research Park for use by the 1st Research Scout group. The site is now part of the current Coles supermarket and Eltham Village complex. A new fifth fire station was erected in Brougham Street at a cost of $9.6m and officially opened December 2015. It was intended for use by both career and volunteer firefighters. The former site was to be made available for community access. However, the mixed functional role presented operational difficulties at the new station and after three years, the Eltham CFA volunteers moved back to the former site towards the end of 2018 following a $500,000 upgrade to the facility. So nowadays the career Fire Rescue Victoria members of Eltham Fire Brigade operate out of Eltham’s fifth fire station in Brougham Street and the volunteer Eltham CFA Brigade operate out of Eltham’s fourth station, or could it be considered the sixth?Colour photograph of Eltham Fire Station, Main Road, July 1986eltham fire brigade, eltham fire station, eltham shops, main road eltham

In recognition of its fallen soldiers and Churchill's 50th birthday a service memorial was erected on a concrete plinth at the Churchill town plaza and used for the first time to mark the ANZAC centenary on Anzac Day 2015. Churchill never had a war memorial and received a grant from the Department of Veterans' Affairs six years ago to commission a sculpture with Latrobe City Council's support. It was decided the sculpture needed to recognise more than just the war effort, but service and volunteerism, considering Churchill was only founded in 1965. (http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/2816903/churchills-new-memorial/, accessed 01 may 2015) Sculptor Paul Jesse discussed the work in Churchill and District Community news, 18 December 2014: Some time ago CDCA commissioned a sculpture to be used as a Service Memorial to commemorate the fallen that have died in service of our community and country. Traditional memorials usually commemorate Armed Services personnel, but CDCA was of the opinion that a more inclusive view which included Emergency Services personnel, such as CFA, SES and Police, could be incorporated into the Churchill Memorial. Boolarra artist, Paul Jesse, who is accomplished in Ferro-Cement sculpture techniques, was commissioned to create a memorial that would cause people to reflect on the meaning of ‘service’ and ‘sacrifice’. The following is a description of the Churchill Service Memorial Sculpture written by the sculptor, Paul Jesse. “My sculpture is different from most War Memorial sculptures because it uses as its basis the reasons why people go into service or to war. One side of the sculpture is colourful and optimistic; its theme is home, family, community and the future. These themes are crafted by flow lines which are connected to the other side of the sculpture through the round hole and the Crosspiece. These lines can be seen as a multi-layered connection between the sides. On the “dark” side of the sculpture, the lines begin with a spiral of coloured mosaics. This spiral is representative of our service people. Its beginning can be seen on one level as their soul. The spiralling mosaics of them flow to the other side of the sculpture where they create the landscape and figures. These lines can also be seen as a range of connectors between the two sides, representing a flow of thoughts, love, fear, concern and dreams. They also represent physical communication such as letters and phone calls.” This ‘Service Memorial’ is located in the Churchill Plaza (adjacent to the Town Hall), along with four flagpoles, seating and garden beds. The Churchill Service Memorial has deliberately been designed as a thought-provoking public art work. It will complement the Art and Culture Pathway which links Switchback Gallery at the Federation University Campus to the Town Centre. We hope Churchill citizens will pause to view the Memorial, ponder its meaning, reflect on the service of others and commemorate the fallen. Colour photograph on an abstract Australia-shaped sculpture by Boolarra artist Paul Jesse. The abstract Australia-shaped sculpture is in stark contrast to the bronze-cast "fallen mate" or concrete cenotaph seen in many country towns. The photograph includes wreaths from the ANZAC centenary service on ANZAC Day 2015. churchill, churchill war memorial, paul jessie, anzac centenary, federation university, gippsland, art and culture pathway, world war

Front cover has a black and white photograph of a bearded man whose story is in the book. The back cover has a photograph of a man with his back to the camera and the blurb about the book.non-fictionThe devastating Victorian bushfires of February 2009 claimed the lives of 173 people. Since then, residents and property-owners throughout the Shire of Murrindindi have rallied together to reclaim their homes, their communities, their relationships and the landscapes they love. Many of them are senior citizens, who have demonstrated through their resilience, wisdom and sense of humour that age often means nothing more than numbers. From CFA volunteers to church-wardens, shearers to scone-makers, older members of the Shire of Murrindindi continue to play their parts in helping communities rise from the ashes. These are their portraits-and some of their stories.black saturday, bushfire, photographs, portraits, victoria

Watsonia couple Laurence and Jean McQuade have spent their 50-year marriage volunteering and have been recognised for their work with CFA, St John's Ambulance and Scouts. They were awarded the Nillumbik Citizen of the Year Award in 2013.Recognition of volunteers.Newspaper clipping, text and colour image.watsonia, mcquade family, volunteers, nillumbik citizen of the year

John Lawrence Coleman (1934-1965) born January 10, was the son of Raymond John Coleman and Hanna May (Gillet) Coleman. He married Margaret Frances Dare in 1955 and was the father of two children. He died whilst attempting to rescue an older man trapped in the bushfire at North Eltham on March 3, 1965 He died at Eltham (Herald, 4 March 1965, p3) [Picture of John Lawrence Coleman] Builder Mr John Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Main Rd., Eltham, one of three men burnt to death yesterday in the fire at North Eltham. The other two were XXXXX, 33 who lives opposite the Colemans and Mr William Elwers, 64 of Batman Rd., Eltham. * * * Frank Martin was a volunteer with the Eltham rural fire brigade at the time of the 1965 bushfires which burnt Eltham North and Research. Frank was asked to assist with the removal of three bodies from the back gully (now Orchard Avenue). They were badly burnt and one was found stuck under a fence as though trying to escape. Volunteers John Coleman Jnr, William Elwers and George Crowe were killed trying to protect Eltham from bushfire – they were local heroes. At the time, John Coleman Jnr was survived by his wife Margaret and two young children – John 11 and Vicky 2. Margaret Coleman lived in the family home until 1992 when she sold it and moved to Tasmania to be close to her son. She died in 1997 aged 65 years. 75 yr old Ken Gaston grew up on Edendale farm, which was originally a poultry farm but is now owned and run by the Shire of Nillumbik as an educational farm for schools and visitors. He was Captain of the Eltham rural fire brigade in 1965 when John Coleman Jnr was burnt to death in the Eltham North bushfires serving as an unofficial volunteer. He was able to draw where the original Wattletree Road was and at the time was verified with the location of some remaining bitumen and a post from the original bridge over the Diamond Creek located near the junction of the Diamond Creek and another small creek which is further down from Research or Christmas Creek as locals refer to it. The original Main Road ran behind Colemans before the railway line was built beyond Eltham in 1912. (Information recorded by Harry Gilham, President EDHS c.2011) * * * Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead (1965, March 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131758981 Includes two photos of the fire in North Eltham “Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham, Victoria. The smoke hides a house.” and “A house explodes into flames at North Eltham, Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up.” Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 March 1965, page 1 ________________________________________ Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road. North Eltham. Victoria. The smoke hides a house. A house explodes into flames at North Eltham. Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up. Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—Three people died today in a bush» fire which raged through North Eltham, about 15 miles from Melbourne. The victims were three men. A fourth man is feared to be dead. Another bushfire. sparked off by the heatwave sizzling over south-eastern Australia, is burning out of control in the Kosciusko State Park, in the Snowy Mountains. Firefighters fear that if it reaches pine forests up the Yarrangobilly River, they will be powerless to stop it. The three victims of the North Eltbam fire were trapped by flames in a valley. Their bodies were found only a few yards apart. They were named by police tonight as Mr. George Crowe, 78, of North Eltham, William John Ewers, 64, and John Laurence Coleman, 31, both of Eltham. The other two have not been identified. They are believed to be a man aged about 40 and an 18-year-old youth. At least 12 homes were destroyed by the fire, the worst in Victoria since 1962, when eight lives were lost and hundreds of homes burnt down at Warrandyte. At one time the township of Eltham was threatened, but a cool change swept in from the south and held back the wall of flames. More than 100 dogs, worth about £4,000, died when the fire raced through two kennels in Short Street, Eltham. and Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham. A trickle of water Residents ran into the streets as the blaze raced towards their houses. Others frantically dug firebreaks around their homes. Mrs. Sue Recourt wept when firemen arrived while she was vainly trying to stop the flames with a trickle of water from the garden hose. A stack of firewood was blazing, but the firemen managed to save the house and rescue four goats. Many homes in Eltham were saved after flames had crept to within feet of their fences. Students at North Eltham State School had to be evacuated when the blaze threatened the building. Fire fighters were severely hampered by lack of water and narrow roads. The blaze, which began in above century heat, turned toward Wattle Glen, where two houses were gutted. Then the flames raced towards Hurstbridge to the north. Firemen battling desperately, controlled the fire late this afternoon. Five forest fires were still burning in Victoria tonight.   IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority (1965, March 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131759928 Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 9 March 1965, page 2 ________________________________________ IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority From Rohan Rivett It was the worst week for Victorian fire fighters since Black Friday 27 years ago. On that day one pilot up in a spotter plane said afterwards: "It seemed at times that half the State was on fire." This time, for three days on end, Gippsland men, women and children had moments of conviction that their towns would have blackened into anonymity before the weekend was out. The week began with horror at Eltham on the North-eastern edge of Melbourne. Eltham today is something of an artists' colony. Oil painters, water colourists, potters and sculptors proliferate. A number of University folk have emulated the example of Professor MacMahon Ball who pioneered the way by moving to Eltham and carving a home out of the bush in the thirties. Innermost Eltham is barely 14 miles from the G.P.O. Farthest Eltham stretches miles beyond. It served to illustrate the tragi-ludicrous truncation of Victoria's fire control. Part of Eltham is under the protection of the Melbourne Fire Brigade. But this responsibility ceases at some invisible and incomprehensible line — apparently determined by the meanderings of the water mains. At this point everybody's property throughout the rest of Eltham is dependent on the Country Fire Authority. Half an hour before midday on Wednesday, a fire suddenly started on the West side of Upper Glen road on the edge of Eltham. Before the fire brigade could arrive, it was burning on a widening front through timber and high grass north of Eltham. Two wind changes in rapid succession saw the fire leaping Diamond Creek. With a freshening wind it struck home after home in three streets. More than one of them exploded suddenly as if hit by an incendiary bomb. There is no piped gas in the Eltham area, hence many housewives use bottle gas. The flames outside caused the bottles to explode. Altogether twelve homes were completely incinerated and four more were badly damaged. Thirty prize dogs perished. About three hours after the fire started it raced suddenly down a gully hillside trapping an elderly man. Two other men apparently raced to the rescue. Flames caught the three men within yards of each other, not 200 yards off the Upper Glen Park Road where safety lay. They were burned to death. Next evening an angry and convincing secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Mr. W. M. Webber, came on television and appealed to the people of Victoria to end the ridiculous and dangerous dualism in fire-fighting control. The Eltham fire, he said, had precisely illustrated the situation. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade area touched Eltham, but where the fire had gutted and killed, was just outside its area. Mr. Webber said his union had constantly urged one authority for the State with a complete reorganisation of fire protection. On Wednesday the union had repeated its call for an inquiry into fire protection in Victoria to the Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. "No matter how close the liaison between the two organisations, there are always divided sections of thinking," Mr. Webber told viewers. "I don't know how much tragedy the com-munity can take before it demands that it is properly protected." Rumours that differences in gauge between taps and hose nozzles (as between the two authorities) accentuated the damage were denied by fire chiefs who said that all appliances were now carrying adaptors so that hoses could be linked to mains everywhere. But there is grave concern in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's higher councils at the action of several Federal authorities with projects in and around Melbourne. They are installing non-standard equipment without reference to the State authorities or any dovetailing of appliances and equipment. Public alarm was not diminished by the publication on Friday and Saturday of a heart tearing letter from the young widow of John Lawrence Coleman, 31 year old father of two, who had died in the flames apparently trying to rescue the old man trapped in the gully. By that time, a Vast area of Gippsland was in flames and the troops had been sent in to back up the overworked and often helpless fire-fighters. By Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Stoneham, who has previously demanded a Royal Commission into fire-fighting arrangements, repeated his demand. To add to the Chief Secretary's worries he was publicly rebuked for allegedly implying on television that lives had been lost at Eltham because people went to the wrong place at the wrong time. In a letter to the Press, Professor MacMahon Ball pointed out that two of the men involved were experienced bushmen who had gone "to help an old man in great danger fully aware of the danger to themselves". As Victoria faced its sixth day of total State-wide fire ban, it looked likely that even official resistance was not going to silence the demand for one central authority to control the fire fiend. At the moment, the 400 square miles where two million Victorians live in Greater Melbourne are divorced from the rest of the State in planning, communications, equipment and control of personnel. No one doubts the whole-hearted co-operation and willingness to back each other up of the M.F.B. and the C.F.A., both at top-level and among the firemen themselves. However, when a city straggles so deeply into the country side, the absence of a single authority, to oversee and analyse the fire threat as a whole, suggests suicidal policy of divide and fuel. Emphasis of the tragic loss of a member of a pioneering family who died whilst helping others in his communitybushfire, cfa, country fire authority, fire brigrade, glen park road, heroes, john lawrence coleman, north eltham, victorian bushfires - 1965, volunteers, william john elwers, fire fighter, frank martin, george john crowe, ken gaston, orchard avenue

OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008fay bridge collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, moor-rul viewing platform

Early stages - no display panels installed. OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008 Black and white inkjet print on paper 14 x 21 cmmoor-rul viewing platform, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park

During the 1960s in Australia, helmets evolved from metal construction to that of polymer and other plastics. This helmet was donated by the Emerald Fire Brigade which was established on 14 March 1941 as the Emerald Bush Brigade. Originally its equipment was stored at Madigan's butcher's shop near the corner of Monbulk Road. The Brigade's first fire station was built around 1945. In 1966, this station was recorded as containing the fire truck and a Land rover pumper, three radio sets, 40 knapsacks, six lengths of hose, helmets, rake hoes and other hand tools. In 2010, the Brigade moved into a new purpose-built building in Monbulk Road. The manufacturer of this helmet, MSA, was founded in 1914 in the USA. MSA began as a mine safety company but since expanded into more general worker protection and safety products. This helmet is an historical artifact worn by members of a crucial volunteer fire fighting service operating in the Emerald district since 1941.Yellow, lightweight, hard plastic or polymer helmet with black leather detachable chin strap with Velcro fastening. inside the helmet is an adjustable head harnessInside helmet on a partly torn label: 'MSA / VGARD / Type 2 ...? / STANDARDS AUSTRALIA' Inside the brim black pen writing EMERALD SPARE 5 EMERALD at one end engraved: 'MSA'' and at the other end: '1801-1881 On the outside of the helmet there is a yellow reflector on each side and at the front and the back there is evidence of labels that have been removed.helmets, fire fighting, msa, emerald fire brigade, cfa

This pair of fire fighters beaters were donated by the Emerald Fire Brigade which was established on 14 March 1941 as the Emerald Bush Brigade. Originally its equipment was stored at Madigan's butcher's shop near the corner of Monbulk Road. The Brigade's first fire station was built around 1945. In 1966, this station was recorded as containing the fire truck and a Land rover pumper, three radio sets, 40 knapsacks, six lengths of hose, helmets, rake hoes and other hand tools. In 2010, the Brigade moved into a new purpose-built building in Monbulk Road. These beaters date from the 1950s to 1960s.These fire fighters beaters were used by members of a crucial volunteer fire fighting service operating in the Emerald district since 1941.Two Firefighter Beaters each consisting of a long round, red wooden pole with wide heavy-duty textile straps attached to the bottom of the pole. One has wire attached at the top of the pole for hanging purposes. Nonefire fighting, emerald fire brigade, cfa

This Fire Fighting Backpack was donated by the Emerald Fire Brigade which was established on 14 March 1941 as the Emerald Bush Brigade. Originally its equipment was stored at Madigan's butcher's shop near the corner of Monbulk Road. The Brigade's first fire station was built around 1945. In 1966, this station was recorded as containing the fire truck and a Land Rover pumper, three radio sets, 40 knapsacks, six lengths of hose, helmets, rake hoes and other hand tools. In 2010, the Brigade moved into a new purpose-built building in Monbulk Road. This Fire Fighting Backpack dates from around c.1960s.This Fire Fighting Backpack Extinguisher was used for mopping-up and combating small fires by members of a crucial volunteer fire fighting service operating in the Emerald district since 1941.This galvanised metal Rega Fire Fighting Backpack Sprayer was used by Emerald CFA (formerly RFB) from 1960's. The main body of the spray tank is orange and has woven canvas shoulder straps with buckles for carrying on your back. On top of the oval tank is a lid with a chain which has "REGA SPRAYER" embossed onto it. It has a metal handle over the top of the lid, which is hinged and has two clips for docking the wooden handle of the sprayer hose when not in use. The wooden sprayer handle with a brass pump assembly is attached to the tank with a piece of hosing allowing for pressurized spraying. The backpack tank has the brand name "REGA" and "CFA" embossed on the front of the tank's well worn patina from many years of use. "Emerald RFB" on the side of the tank. "OK 1/97" on the top near the lidfire fighting, emerald fire brigade, cfa, rega firefighting brand

This fire fighter's scythe was donated by the Emerald Fire Brigade which was established on 14 March 1941 as the Emerald Bush Brigade. Originally its equipment was stored at Madigan's butcher's shop near the corner of Monbulk Road. The Brigade's first fire station was built around 1945. In 1966, this station was recorded as containing the fire truck and a Land rover pumper, three radio sets, 40 knapsacks, six lengths of hose, helmets, rake hoes and other hand tools. In 2010, the Brigade moved into a new purpose-built building in Monbulk Road. This scythe, also known as a fern hook, dates from the 1950s to 1960s.This fire fighter's scythe was used by members of a crucial volunteer fire fighting service operating in the Emerald district since 1941.One Firefighter scythe (Fern Hook) consisting of a long wooden pole with curved blade attached at the end. The blade has a canvas protective sleeve.Nonefire fighting, emerald fire brigade, cfa